He did a very brave thing back then, in 1995: he decided to end the story on his own terms, when he thought he'd said everything there was to say, and he retired. He also refused any merchandising contract, thus turning his back on millions of dollars. No one has ever filmed him, there's only one picture of him available, and he first did an interview (audio, no video) for a documentary a couple of months back. He lives with his family away from the spotlight and he does paintings.

I gotta say, I respect him a lot for this. As a writer, he knew the importance of a good ending, and didn't go the way of the Peanuts. I love the Peanuts dearly (my mom used them to teach me how to read, imagine that), but after 1985 they lost all their charm, and became just boring and dull. Plus in the USA they're everywhere: any kind of merchandise, and even insurance tv spots. What the hell. At least Mr Watterson stopped this from happening to Calvin & Hobbes.

That being said, I would love a Hobbes plushie! I'm weak!