Joe Ruby, Co-Creator of Scooby Doo, Has Passed Away
Legendary animator Joe Ruby, one of the leaders in Saturday morning animation for decades, has passed away at the age of 87.
Ruby died at his home in Westlake Village, CA on Wednesday from natural causes. He had been in declining health for some time.
After working at Walt Disney Productions, he joined Hanna-Barbera Productions, where he met Ken Spears and forged a productive collaboration. While there, the pair created the characters Scooby Doo (as well as his friends Fred, Daphne, Velma and Shaggy), Dynomutt, and Jabberjaw.
After “Scooby Doo” premiered in 1969, Ruby and Spears supervised CBS’ Saturday morning cartoon lineup. He and Spears later co-founded Ruby-Spears Productions, where they created numerous animated series for Saturday morning television, including “Superman,” “Thundarr the Barbarian,” “The Mr. T Show,” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks.”
“Joe Ruby made Saturday mornings special for so many children, including myself,” President of Warner Bros. Animation Sam Register said. “He was one of the most prolific creators in our industry who gifted us some of animation’s most treasured characters and it was a thrill to host him at our studio. Scooby-Doo has been a beloved companion on screens for more than 50 years, leaving an enduring legacy that has inspired and entertained generations. We at Warner Bros. Animation have the privilege and honor of carrying on that legacy and send our warmest thoughts to his loved ones.”
Ruby is survived by his wife Carole, four children, and 10 grandchildren.
Post your thoughts in the comments section below on the passing of Joe Ruby.
H/T: Yahoo News
