Joseph Barbera

[Deckard]

So Joseph Barbera, one half of the team behind such cartoon classics as The Flintstones, Yogi Bear, Scooby-Doo and Huckleberry Hound, has died, aged 95.

Thinking back to my childhood (3 TV channels - woohoo!), Hanna Barbera were a key part of keeping me entertained, and the sheer volume of successful cartoon characters they managed to create must place them among the most influential "entertainers" of all time, at least for us 30somethings and older.

Their characters may not have had the wackiness of, say, the Warners' stable, and their limited animation style may not have been the most dazzling, but there was a certain warmth in their output that appealed to me in a way that the other studios never really managed with their characters. And on the budget they often had to make do with, their output was all the more remarkable.

I know the era ended long ago, but still.... it kind of feels like it's really ended now, with Hanna having died a few years back.

[big screen satellite]

sad day...

Hanna-Barbera were one of the best know of the 'classic' animation names and its sad to see that both have passed away, albeit after long and happy lives in the business.

One good thing is that their's (and all animated cartoons of the old era) are pretty much timeless and will remain as a legacy, especially cartoons like Scooby Doo, Yogi Bear and the Flintstones, of which Scooby Doo is still one of the best loved and most popular cartoons, even now.

without the likes of these guys and obviously other pioneers, Pixar and their ilk would be nowhere.

RIP Joe

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

Wow, I had no idea he was even still alive! 95 years old is quite a run though. Now that he's gone I suppose there's nothing to stop Adult Swim from molesting the man's every creation...

[GreenPea]

They also did Tom & Jerry!

[potatobroth]

but adult swim is some funny chit.

i grew up with Hanna-Barbera too but was never really into their brand of cartoon. Aside from the Smurfs and Tom and Jerry, I didn't like the characters. Although, the Laff-A-Lympics will always remain a classic:The Scooby Doos, The Really Rottens and the The Yogi Yahooeys!

[Sean]

Not many animation icons in the world to begin with, and he was a huge one. By all accounts, he was a great guy. Sad to see the Hanna-Barbera founders both gone.