Illustrator Barbera dies

Joseph Barbera, the illustrator behind iconic cartoons such as Tom and Jerry and The Flintstones, has died aged 95.

Barbera paired up with William Hanna in 1937 when he joined the newly-formed cartoon department of film company Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Hanna took care of the technical side, while Barbera, who is well known for his talent of drawing animated characters, did the sketching.

In 1940, they released their first cat and mouse film, Puss Gets The Boot, which evolved into Tom and Jerry. This 17-year partnership won the pair seven Academy Awards and 14 nominations. The duo later formed their own production studio, Hanna-Barbera Studios, and first enjoyed success with adult-friendly cartoon The Hucklebberry Hound Show in 1958.

Later in 1960, Hanna-Barbera released The Flintstones, featuring husband and wife team Fred and Wilma Flintstone living in the Stone Age. The show coined Fred’s catchphrase ‘Yabba dabba doo’ and was the first animated series to be broadcast on prime-time television. Scooby-Doo followed in 1969.

Barbera continued in his role as an executive producer for Warner Brothers Animation, following Hanna’s death in 2001.