Gene Deitch, ‘Tom and Jerry’ director, dies at 95

Gene Deitch, an American-born Czech illustrator and animator, has passed away at 95.

According to Associated Press (AP), Petr Himmel, his Czech publisher, who broke the sad news, said the film director died “unexpectedly” at his home in Prague on Thursday night.

Hummel, however, did not provide further details about Deitch’s death.

Born on August 8 1924, Deitch was known for creating several animated cartoons including ‘Tom and Jerry’, ‘Popeye’, ‘Muro’, ‘Tom Teriffic’, and ‘Nudnik’.

Shortly after graduating from Los Angeles High School in 1942, the veteran animator started working for North American Aviation, drawing aircraft blueprints.

Deitch, however, began his foray into animation proper in 1955, after he took a apprenticeship at the animation studio United Productions of America (UPA).

He would later become the creative director of Terrytoons, where he created several characters including Sidney the Elephant, Gaston Le Crayon, and Clint Clobber and had continued to blaze the trail until his demise.

His successful career saw him won a host of several awards including the Academy Award in the ‘Best Animated Short Film’ category in 1960.  He also snagged the Winsor McCay Award for his lifelong contribution to animation in 2004.

Deitch is survived by Marie, his first wife, whom he married in 1943 and their three sons from the union — Kim, Simon and Seth respectively.

His death further stretches the list of several celebrities who have passed away in 2020. TheCable Lifestyle earlier reported how Brian Dennehy, US actor of film, stage and television, also died at 81.