How Harvey Pekar died

Coroner rules that Harvey Pekar’s death due to ‘natural causes’

Published: Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 4:18 PM     Updated: Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 6:22 PM

Pat Galbincea, The Plain Dealer

Los Angeles Times

Harvey L. Pekar as he appeared in this 2003 photo while he was in Los Angeles.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — American Splendor comic writer and Cleveland native Harvey Pekar died July 12th of an accidental overdose of two anti-depressant medicines, according to the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office.

The 70-year-old Cleveland Heights resident was found dead by his wife, Joyce Brabner, in their home. His death was not a suicide, said coroner spokesman Powell Caesar, and Coroner Frank Miller ruled his death by natural causes on Pekar’s death certificate Sept. 27th.

“He did not take his own life,” Caesar said. “His death came as a result of accidental ingestion of fluoxetine and bupropion.”

Fluoxetine is used as a treatment for major depression, and bupropion is used for depression and smoking cessation. The latter drug can lower a person’s seizure threshold when used incorrectly.

In 1990, he was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer and more recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. He also suffered with high blood pressure, asthma, and clinical depression.

Pekar, a 1957 Shaker Heights High School graduate, chronicled his life and times in the acclaimed autobiographical comic book series American Splendor. He portrayed himself as a rumpled, depressed, obsessive-compulsive ‘flunky file clerk’ engaged in a constant battle with loneliness and anxiety.

Describing American Splendor, Pekar wrote, “the theme is about staying alive…Life is a war of attrition. You have to stay active on all fronts…I’ve tried to control a chaotic universe. And it’s a losing battle.”

He became a working man’s celebrity with his raucous appearances on “Late Night With David Letterman” until Pekar was banned after an on-air argument.