Tony Fitzpatrick (1958 – 2025)

Tony Fitzpatrick (November 24, 1958 – October 11, 2025) was an American artist, actor, and author. Fitzpatrick is best known for his prints and collage, which were often made up of multiple media. Tony was the author of books on his art and poetry. His artwork was exhibited in art galleries and museums across the United States.

Interestingly, Tony was not a native Chicagoan, but was a product of Chicago’s suburbs. He was born and raised in Lombard, and studied art at the College of DuPage. He moved to Chicago and also spent time in New York City.

Tony took odd jobs over the years. At different points he was a cab driver, boxer, bartender, day laborer, radio host, and later a podcaster. These professions impacted him as a person and as an artist, and gave him lots of topics for his storytelling, for which he was well-known.

Apart from his art making, Fitzpatrick was also an actor, on stage at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre and later in New York, and onscreen in a number of TV series and motion pictures.

Tony Fitzpatrick, Monument to a Standing New Yorker, 2001

Fitzpatrick’s artwork utilized many sources. In his work one can find birds (a childhood interest), folk art images, and tattoo like aspects (Tony had been a tattoo artist and had many tattoos himself).  His pieces, combining collage, painting, and drawing were colorful and busy, incorporating ephemera he collected.

As an author, Fitzpatrick published many books.  Titles include This Train: An Artist's Journal, Dime Stories,The Secret Birds, Max and Gaby's Alphabet (his children), The Apostles of Humboldt Park, and The Sun at the End of the Road: Dispatches from an American Life, published shortly before his passing.

Tony was active in the Chicago art scene beyond making his artwork. He opened a printmaking studio, Big Cat Press, and also started exhibition spaces Firecat Projects, Adventureland Works on Paper, and The Dime.

Tony Fitzpatrick passed away October 11, 2025, aged 66, leaving behind many admirers and his family, wife Michele and children Max and Gabrielle.