The iconic director, and creator of so much joy, Gene Deitch, has passed away aged 95.
Deitch was perhaps most famous for directing Tom and Jerry, as well as Popeye, however, his career was much greater than just that.
The Oscar winner passed away 'unexpectedly' in his apartment.
Keep scrolling to learn more about the life and death of one of the key figures in animation.
Rest in peace.
Legendary director, Gene Deitch, has died.
Deitch was the man behind Tom and Jerry.
He created dozens of Tom & Jerry cartoons.
He also directed Popeye.
But he wasn't always in animation.
He met his first love.
But he caught pneumonia.
That's when his creative career began.
Later he studied animation.
He began working on comic strips too.
He was nominated for an Academy Award.
But three years later.
Deitch won the Academy Award for his film Munro!He was then fired from Terrytoons.
Deitch left America for his native land.
Living there wasn't easy.
He was followed by secret police.
Deitch went back to America.
He adapted 37 films for them.
He was awarded for his life's work.
R.I.P Gene Deitch (1924-2020) https://t.co/QOTDmZgAq3— Down the Inkwell (@Down the Inkwell)1587157796.0
And rightly so.
After all that work, and bringing so much joy to the world, Deitch thoroughly deserved the huge award.Deitch passed away aged 95.
At his apartment in Prague, Deitch tragically passed away on April 16.His death was 'unexpected'.
While an official cause of death has not yet been released, his publisher, Petr Himmel, claimed that his death was completely unexpected.He is survived by his wife.
Gene Deitch's forgotten theatrical series "Nudnik" showcases his skills in character acting and distinctive styles.… https://t.co/hXo0qWSeRg— tiny crow (on hiatus) (@tiny crow (on hiatus))1587149635.0
His sons are all artists too.
You know those those weird looking Tom and Jerry cartoons with all the oddball sound effects? Well, Gene Deitch wa… https://t.co/3PTK01qkZO— Jonathan H. Gray is... ✪ Exhausted & Drawing ✪ (@Jonathan H. Gray is... ✪ Exhausted & Drawing ✪)1587148380.0
Rest in peace Gene Deitch.
Very sad to hear that Gene Deitch has passed away. I've been a longtime fan of his, from his Terrytoons work, Nudni… https://t.co/8ia3javvvl— Charles Brubaker (@Charles Brubaker)1587144902.0