Local Lion Illustrator Dies at 79
Sam Koukios drew Hubert, The Harris Lion
Harris Bank
Hubert, The Harris Lion
You may not have known Sam Koukios, but most Chicagoans are on a first name basis with the lion that helped make his career.
Koukios drew Hubert The Harris Lion, who for 30 years has been the face of Harris Bank in Chicago.
Koukios, 79, of Mt. Prospect died of complications from lung cancer on Monday, June 22, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The commercial artist -- who studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago -- did an array of print ads and brochures for a variety of clients. Harris was just one, but Hubert may have been Koukis' best-known character.
"Hubert was his friend," his son Steven told the Trib. "Hubert was almost like my dad's alter ego. He sort of animated Hubert. He brought him to life."
