PRAGUE- At age 95, the Oscar-winning American illustrator, animator, director, and comic artist, Eugene “Gene” Merril Deitch has passed away and moved onto greener pastures, as reported by AP.
The animated series Tom and Jerry’ and ‘Popeye the Sailor’, which evoke nostalgia and joy within millions across the world are the work he is most famous for.
He worked on 13 episodes of ‘Tom and Jerry’ and a handful of ‘Popeye the Sailor’ as a director when living in Comunist Czechoslovakia.
He is also the creator of Nudnik, Tom Terrific and the 1960 academy Award winner in the animated short film category, Munro.
In recognition of his lifetime contributions in animation, he has also received the Winsor McCay Award in 2004.
As a writer, in his memoirs ‘For the Love of Prague’, he elaborated on his life in Czechoslovakia (which later became Czech Republic).
His illustrious career spanned until 2008, when he retired from work at Weston Woods Studios.
During his almost 40-year tenure, he adapted 37 films which included Voyagem, Bunny Planet and Drummer Hoff.
As per Associated Press News, the legendary animator is survived in his three children (who are all cartoonists and illustrators) from his first marriage and his beloved wife.
