Tom and Jerry Director Gene Deitch Passes Away At 95, Tributes Pour In From Across The Globe

Oscar-winning illustrator and animator, Gene Deitch breathed his last at the age of 95 on Thursday night. He was reportedly found dead in his apartment in Prague.

Born on August 8 in 1924, in Chicago, Deitch is known for his work on the highly admired animated series ‘Tom and Jerry’. He is also known for his work on the highly admired animated series ‘Popeye the Sailor’, as well as for being the creator of cartoons such as Munro, Tom Terrific, and Nudnik.

Deitch had reportedly directed a few episodes of Popeye and as many as 13 episodes of 'Tom and Jerry'. He was conferred with the Winsor McCay Award for his lifelong contribution to animation in 2004. He had also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1960 for 'Munro'.

Gene Deitch started his work as an animator for United Productions of America in 1955, and later promoted to the position of creative director for Terrytoons before retiring from his profession in 2008 as the animation director for Weston Woods Studios.

The Tom and Jerry director, Deitch is survived by his wife and three sons from his first marriage, all of whom are reportedly cartoonists and illustrators.

Wishes have been pouring in for Gene Deitch's family from across the globe ever since the news of his demise broke with netizens thanking him for giving them an 'awesome childhood'.

#GeneDeitch (1924 – 2020)
Thank you Gene for making my childhood awesome ❤ pic.twitter.com/KQIxcKeBel

— Nada (@Nada14738185) April 20, 2020

#TomandJerry
Thanks for making our childhood memorable through your works❤️ you will always be remembered ? a person may

die but his works doesn't and ur works will remembered till end of the time?❤️?#GeneDeitch #RIPGeneDeitch pic.twitter.com/Xt6RETAIOK

— Vaibhav_stark_ (@VaibhavStark)

April 21, 2020

RIP Gene Deitch- Tom and Jerry was and still one of our favorite shows#GeneDeitch pic.twitter.com/HiPuVcEPHH

— Ghida still in Lebanon (@GhidaThiniFawaz) April 20, 2020

The creator of the world's one of the most-watched cartoons left humanity, leaving

happiness behind for the children till the end of the world.
Thank you for your kindness. ?
RIP ???#TomandJerry #GeneDeitch pic.twitter.com/YskcUHK5rj

— Parth Joshi (@joshiparth08) April 21, 2020

Tnk for making our childhood awesome. #legends #GeneDeitch #TomandJerry #popeye #RIPGeneDeitch #thankful pic.twitter.com/g1c9qvqQPn

— Rifath Sheikh (@rifath_sheikh) April 21, 2020

Gene Deitch (1924 – 2020)

You made a lot of lives wonderful. You'll always be

remembered. ❤️#GeneDeitch pic.twitter.com/GHEYBQynqo

— Neeraja (@thegeminian_) April 20, 2020

RIP ❤? #GeneDeitch (1924 – 2020)#Born: 8 August 1924, Chicago, Illinois, United States.#Died: 19 April 2020, Prague, Czechia.
Thank you Gene for making our childhood awesome?
"Tom & Jerry And

Popeye Director"#TomAndJerry
#Popeye pic.twitter.com/oFK1DDRIfk

— Chennaites (@ChennaitesDotIn) April 20, 2020