Animation legend dies

Joe Barbera, one-half of the prolific animation studio Hanna-Barbera that spawned such classic characters as Yogi Bear, Tom & Jerry, Scooby-Doo, The Flintstones, The Jetsons and countless others, died Monday at the age of 95. With partner William Hanna (who died in 2001), the duo created Tom & Jerry in the late-30s and with that success opened their own animation studio. Tom & Jerry cartoons would go on to win seven Academy Awards, more than any characters in history. In the 1960s they launched “The Flintstones,” the first prime-time animated series. 1969 came the debut of Scooby-Doo in the series “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?,” which still holds the record for the longest running animated series. I can say, without equivocation, that my life would be vastly different than the one I lead now without Hanna-Barbera and their creations. I look at their work and it inspired me as equally as the work of Steven Spielberg. Below is a list of some of their more memorable cartoons. Then head to hannabarbera.com to watch some of their best work, for free, online.

Huckleberry Hound
Quick Draw McGraw
Top Cat
Wally Gator
The Magilla Gorilla Show
Jonny Quest
The Atom Ant/Secret Squirrel Show
Space Ghost
Birdman and the Galaxy Trio
The Herculoids
Wacky Races
Josie and the Pussycats
Help!… It’s the Hair Bear Bunch!
Sealab 2020
Super Friends
CHARLOTTE’S WEB (movie)
Hong Kong Phooey
Jabberjaw
Scooby’s All-Star Laff-a-Lympics
Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels
The Smurfs
Shirt Tales
Snorks
Challenge of the GoBots
Captain Planet
Dexter’s Laboratory
The Powerpuff Girls