Peter Gallagher is the nephew of 'Heathcliff' creator George Gately and cartoonist John Gallagher. Born in New Jersey, he worked his way through college in the art departments of silk screen factories and several small advertising agencies. He created the comic strips 'The Jersey Tomato' and 'Tales of the Jersey Devil' for Weird New Jersey Magazine. He started working with his uncles on the 'Heathcliff' strip in 1994, and took over completely after their retirement in 1998. He has continued the feature for Creators Syndicate since Gately's death in 2001. Peter Gallagher also teaches illustration at Montclair State University in Montclair New Jersey.