Darby Conley was born in Concord, Massachusetts and grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. He studied Fine Arts at Amherst College, where his first comics were published in the students' newspaper. An avid rugby player, he became an elementary school gym teacher for a while. He also was art director for a museum, lifeguard and bike repair man, but he still likes drawing comics best. As a great animal lover, he draws the strip 'Get Fuzzy', about a Siamese cat. It became very successful and runs in several newspapers all over the USA.