11 Things You Didn’t Know About "Garfield" (Even if You’re a Superfan)
Hidden facts, behind-the-scenes stories, and trivia from the world’s most famous comic strip cat.
If you think you know everything about your favorite lasagna-loving feline and his friends, think again. After four decades and thousands of strips, “Garfield” continues to catch us off guard with weird one-off moments, surprising breaks of character, and Easter eggs that leave even the most devoted readers baffled.
Here’s a roundup of some surprising “Garfield” facts you may have missed over the years.
1. Garfield’s Opposable Thumbs Are for Drinking Coffee
In a 2004 interview with blackfilm.com, creator Jim Davis confirmed that Garfield has opposable thumbs so he can hold a coffee mug. “I never looked at a real cat when I designed Garfield, so therefore he has opposable thumbs so he can drink coffee,” he said. Of course, those thumbs come in handy these days. How else would he hold a beefy sub sandwich or use the TV remote?
2. Lyman Is Odie’s Previous Owner
Lyman, Jon Arbuckle’s friend and former roommate, was introduced on August 8, 1978, as Odie’s original owner who, much to Jon’s dismay, brought the droopy-eared dog over to his house. As Garfield increasingly became Jon’s primary companion, Davis began to phase out Lyman’s character, and by 1983 he had completely disappeared from the strip. Odie seamlessly became Jon’s pet.
3. Garfield’s Favorite Movie Is “Old Yeller”
Warning ahead, dog lovers. On April 25, 1983, Garfield was asked in a letter what his favorite movie was. “It’s “Old Yeller,” he said. “I love movies with happy endings.” If you know, you know.
4. Odie Has Had “Dialogue” Just Once
While Odie is famously mute in the comic strip, he had his own thought bubble in a rare early strip. His famous last (and first) words? “I’m hungry.” After that, Odie returned to his usual silent role, leaving Garfield to do all the talking (mostly complaining).
5. Jon Arbuckle Was Inspired by a Coffee Commercial
The name of Garfield’s owner and BFF came from a 1950s commercial. In My Laughable Life with Garfield: The Jon Arbuckle Chronicles, Davis admitted he remembered the name from an old Yuban Coffee ad and even used Jon Arbuckle as an “expert source” to add credibility to speeches before the comic existed.
6. Arlene Is a Stray
Introduced on December 17, 1980, Arlene quickly became Garfield’s on-again, off-again flame. Her backstory remained a mystery for almost three decades until May 16, 2008, when it was confirmed that Arlene’s an alley cat, solidifying that home is wherever she makes it.
7. Garfield Once Said He Loves Mondays
Garfield has uttered the words “I love Monday mornings.” You can pick up your jaw from the floor now. In the May 28, 1979, strip, he said he loves Monday mornings—because he doesn’t have to go to work. Blink and you’ll miss it!
8. Nermal Is Jon’s Parents’ Cat
Another pet owner plot twist: Nermal belongs to Jon’s parents. In the kitten’s debut on September 3, 1979, Jon tells Garfield that they’re catsitting for his mom and dad. That detail is never mentioned again, and despite Garfield’s disapproval, the “world’s cutest kitten” sticks around for the long haul.
9. The Comic Once Took a Dark Turn
In October 1989, “Garfield” ditched its unserious nature for something a little more unsettling. In this story arc, Garfield wakes up alone in a decaying, boarded-up house with a “For Sale” sign outside. You’ll have to read it yourself to find out what happens exactly, but the eerie weeklong storyline caused a flood of fan theories that are still swirling today, decades after its original run.
10. Splut Week Happens Twice(ish)
There is one official Splut Week, which occurred the first full week of February in 1985. During Splut Week, Garfield was pied over and over (and over) again. An “unofficial” Splut Week popped up in mid-October in 1987, too. Garfield never calls it out by name, but he still spends the entire week taking pies to the face.
11. Odie Might Have a Secret Sophisticated Side
There’s more to Odie than drool puddles and a wagging tail. In the April 27, 1989 strip, his potential true, refined self is revealed when left home alone: he lounges in a swanky robe, listens to Mozart, and reads War and Peace. What else is Mr. Davis hiding from us?
