Cartoon Creative Joseph Barbera Dead at 95
Warner Bros. announced today that the latter half of the cartoon team Hanna Barbera has died...
Barbera founded Hanna-Barbera with William Hanna, and together their company was responsible for producing such iconic American cartoon characters such as the Stone Age nuclear family in "The Flintstones," "The Jetsons" and seemingly everyone's favorite, the cartoon dog sleuth, Scooby-Doo.
"Joe Barbera truly was an animation and television legend," said Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. "From the Stone Age to the Space Age and from primetime to Saturday mornings, syndication and cable, the characters he created with his late partner, William Hanna, are not only animated superstars, but also a very beloved part of American pop culture. While he will be missed by his family and friends, Joe will live on through his work."
"Joe Barbara was a passionate storyteller and a creative genius who, along with his late partner Bill Hanna, helped pioneer the world of animation," said Sander Schwartz, President, Warner Bros. Animation. "Bill created a landmark television production model and Joe filled it with funny, original show ideas and memorable characters that will stand for all time as his ultimate legacy. Joe's contributions to the both the animation and television industries are without parallel - he has been personally responsible for entertaining countless millions of viewers across the globe. His influences upon generations of animation professionals have been extraordinary.
"While the Warner Bros. family and the animation community will mourn his departure, we will also celebrate his life and the many lives to which he brought great entertainment. I was inspired to work alongside Joe and I am proud to have had the blessing of his friendship." Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Barbera was born in the Little Italy section of New York City, New York, on March 24, 1911, his partner William Hanna who died March of 2001 were responsible for so many beloved cartoon characters during their 60-plus-year partnership.
Fans of Tom and Jerry, Huckleberry Hound, Magilla Gorilla, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo and Yogi Bear have lost the creative geniuses who created the animated friends of their youth.