If you watched these iconic cartoons growing up, you’ll definitely feel the loss of this legend. Oscar-winning American filmmaker and animator, Gene Deitch, passed away in his home in Prague sometime between Thursday and Friday night, at the age of 95.
Deitch was the animator of popular childhood classics that held a special place among local and international audiences. Despite working from behind the Iron Curtain, he directed 13 episodes of ‘Tom & Jerry’ and several episodes of the ‘Popeye the Sailor’ series, reports Mirror.
While the details and cause of his death remain undisclosed, fans from all over the world were heartbroken when they received news of Deitch’s passing. Many flooded social media and left messages saying how ‘Tom & Jerry’ and ‘Popeye the Sailor’ had made a big impact on their childhood memories and were unforgettable.
The well-respected animator and illustrator also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for, ‘Munro’ in 1960 while being nominated for the same award twice in 1964 for stellar films, ‘Nudnik’ and ‘How to Avoid Friendship’. Prior to this, he created the ‘Tom Terrific’ series, while his co-produced short film, ‘Sidney’s Family Tree’, was nominated for an Academy Award in 1958.
Thank you Mr.Deitch for all the laughs and amazing childhood memories. Your work will be missed but never forgotten.
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