Cartoon King Joseph Barbera Dead At 95

(AP)  Joe Barbera, half of the Hanna-Barbera animation team that produced such beloved cartoon characters as Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear and the Flintstones, died Monday, a Warner Bros. spokesman said. He was 95.

Barbera died of natural causes at his home with his wife, Sheila, at his side, Warner Bros. spokesman Gary Miereanu said.

With his longtime partner, Bill Hanna, Barbera first found success creating the highly successful Tom and Jerry cartoons. The antics of the battling cat and mouse went on to win seven Academy Awards, more than any other series with the same characters.

The partners, who teamed up while working at MGM in the 1930s, then went on to a whole new realm of success in the 1960s with a witty series of animated TV comedies, including "The Flintstones," "The Jetsons," "Yogi Bear," "Scooby-Doo" and "Huckleberry Hound and Friends."

Their strengths melded perfectly, critic Leonard Maltin wrote in his book "Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons." Barbera brought the comic gags and skilled drawing, while Hanna brought warmth and a keen sense of timing.

"This writing-directing team may hold a record for producing consistently superior cartoons using the same characters year after year — without a break or change in routine," Maltin wrote.

"From the Stone Age to the Space Age and from prime time 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," Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Barry Meyer said Monday.

Hanna, who died in 2001, once said he was never a good artist but his partner could "capture mood and expression in a quick sketch better than anyone I've ever known."

The two first teamed cat and mouse in the short "Puss Gets the Boot." It earned an Academy Award nomination, and MGM let the pair keep experimenting until the full-fledged Tom and Jerry characters eventually were born.

Jerry was borrowed for the mostly live-action musical "Anchors Aweigh," dancing with Gene Kelly in a scene that become a screen classic.

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If they aired these same cartoons today I might just sit down and watch them, they were the best, the garbage that they air today is just plain awful. My kids loved watching the older cartoons and now these cartoons are gone, I did however foresee the future many years ago and recorded on VHS about a 100 hours of cartoons. I will giving them away to the little neighbor kids in the near future

[paviles394]

Joe,
You & Bill gave us babyboomers many hours of tv enjoyment...THANK YOU

[themartyred]

such a a great cartoon legend!

www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable

[yamuttya]

I agree with Stezzer, they entertained my 50s& 60s childhood and made it delightful. Thank You.
Bobster23

[phil-in-fin]

To olebd

I agree with you 100%

There are only a few children's shows that are worth mentioning. I for one think "Little Bear" is exceptional work.

The anti-talent animation fall into the range that I call "Poki-puke" for good reason ...

[stezzer]

Thank you Mr Barbera. You were a part of my wonderful childhood.

You will be remembered.

[olebd]

These guys were brilliant. They offered children much better quality shows than the trash that is offered today.