‘Tom and Jerry’ Director, Animator Gene Deitch Dies At 95
Oscar winning director, Gene Deitch has died.
Best known for directing the animated series, Tom and Jerry, Deitch was born in 1924 in Chicago and moved to Prague shortly after meeting his wife.
Deitch’s movie, Munro, awarded him the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1960. He was nominated twice more in 1964 for Here’s Nudnik and How to Avoid Friendship.
While co-producing Sidney’s Family Tree, he created Tom Terrific, which eventually led to Tom and Jerry. In 2004, he was then awarded the Winsor McCay Award for his lifelong contribution to animation.
Deitch is survived by his second wife and three children. According to Deitch’s Czech publisher, Petr Himmel, the director died unexpectedly overnight on April 16-17th, he was 95.
Gene Deitch, the creator of Tom & Jerry has left for the Heavenly Creator. You added so much happiness to all our lives, no matter how young or old. Salute and Respect. #RIPGeneDeitch pic.twitter.com/vkysgNy4El
— Francis Joseph (@Francis_Joseph) April 21, 2020
RIP: Gene Deitch, Cartoon Modernist Who Headed UPA New York And Terrytoons, Dies At 95 https://t.co/mKzDv5gmcm pic.twitter.com/D7EAbeqa9b
— cartoonbrew.com - Animation News (@cartoonbrew) April 17, 2020
Gene Deitch, the legendary animator known in part for his work on Popeye and Tom & Jerry cartoons, has died at 95.https://t.co/uq9FHcWcd7 pic.twitter.com/8z6MJFsMLB
— ComicBook.com (@ComicBook) April 18, 2020
