R.I.P. to Stan Lee, Another Iconic Artist Who Grew Up on the Upper West Side
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 12:15 am by West Sider
Stan Lee, the artist and movie pioneer who died on Monday, got his start like many other great artists, right here on the Upper West Side. He was born Stanley Martin Lieber on December 28, 1922, when the family lived on 98th Street and West End Avenue.
In the video interview below, Lee talks about about his “fairly normal childhood,” with a vivid memory of having to sit on ponies for formal photographs. His family moved to the Bronx when Stan was still young.
Other great artists that began their lives in the neighborhood include Norman Rockwell and Humphrey Bogart.
Does anyone know which corner of 98th and WEA?
I grew up reading Spiderman comic books…I will never forget the feelings I used to get while reading then over and over again. It was an escape of every day city life as a child in New York… it was an escape to become a super hero in new York. I never met you Stan, but you are a very old friend to me. My heart breaks knowing you are gone… but your stories will live on for eternity. I share your comics now with my children and they love them. Rest in peace Mr Lee. You are already being missed.
Stan Lee hired my dad as a storyboard artist back in the 1950s when Timely-Atlas was the forerunner to MARVEL. Dad began with Bible Stories, and later through 1960s to the 1970s.
My brother and I are fortunate to have many storyboards from dad’s work at MARVEL.
( our family lived on the UWS too ).
My 12 year old son burst into tears when he heard of Stan Lee’s passing. I wonder if there will be any memorial in NYC. It would be nice to hear about his life and say a more formal goodbye.