“Tom and Jerry,””The Flintstones,””Yogi Bear,””Huckleberry Hound and Friends,””Top Cat,””Scooby-Doo,””Johnny Quest,””The Jetsons” and “Animal Follies.” If you grew up watching any of these animated series you may be saddened to hear that Joe Barbera, one of its creators has died.
In 1937 Barbera and partner Bill Hanna formed the legendary team of Hanna-Barbera and in the decades since their cartoon creations have entertained generations of children. Sadly, almost exactly 70 years after his hiring at the cartoon factory, Barbera died Monday of natural causes with his wife Sheila at his side, a spokesman for the family told news reporters. He was 95.
Following the announcement of his death those who worked with the award-winning animator spoke out about his contributions to pop culture:
“Joe’s contributions to both the animation and television industries are without parallel – he has been personally responsible for entertaining countless millions of viewers across the globe,” said friend, colleague and Warner animation President Sander Schwartz.
According to news reports, Barbera’s home was filled with memories of his achievements. The “Tom and Jerry” cartoon series alone won seven Academy Awards, more than any other series with the same characters.
I enjoyed “Tom and Jerry,” but one of my favorite Hanna-Barbera creations has to be the “Flintstones.” Did you know the show ran just one season on network TV? The characters were then revived in the 1980s in the syndicated show that my daughter now watches.
Interestingly, neither Hanna, born in 1910, nor Barbera, born in 1911, set out to be cartoonists. Hanna, who died in 2001, had studied engineering and journalism, once told reporters that he originally went into animation because he needed a job. Meanwhile, Barbera, who grew up in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, originally went into banking. However, it wasn’t long before he turned his doodles into magazine cartoons and then into a job as an animator.
I’m sure it is gratifying for his family members that even though he is gone his work will live on.
What’s your favorite Hanna-Barbera cartoon?
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