Joseph Barbera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Barbera
|
|
|---|---|
Joseph Barbera in 1993
|
|
| Born |
Joseph Roland Barbera
March 24, 1911 Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
|
| Died | December 18, 2006 (aged 95) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1932–2006 |
| Spouse(s) |
Dorothy Earl
(m. 1935; div. 1963)Sheila Holden
(m. 1963) |
| Children | 4 |
Joseph Roland Barbera (March 24, 1911 – December 18, 2006) was a famous American animator, director, and producer. He created many beloved cartoon characters for movies and TV. Millions of fans around the world enjoyed his work throughout the 20th century. He is best known for co-founding Hanna-Barbera, a studio that made shows like Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, and Scooby-Doo.
Contents
Joseph Barbera's Early Life and Career
Joseph Barbera was born in New York City to Italian immigrant parents. He lived there, went to college, and started his career as a young adult. After working different jobs, including as a banker, Barbera joined Van Beuren Studios in 1932. Later, he worked at Terrytoons in 1936.
In 1937, he moved to California. While working at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Barbera met William Hanna. This meeting was the start of a long and successful partnership. Their first big success together was creating the popular cartoon series Tom and Jerry.
Hanna-Barbera: A Cartoon Empire
In 1957, after MGM closed its animation department, Joseph Barbera and William Hanna decided to start their own company. They co-founded Hanna-Barbera, which quickly became one of the most successful TV animation studios ever.
Hanna-Barbera created many classic cartoon shows that are still loved today. Some of their most famous creations include:
In 1967, Hanna-Barbera was sold to Taft Broadcasting. However, Hanna and Barbera continued to lead the company until 1991. The studio was later sold to Turner Broadcasting System, which then merged with Time Warner in 1996. Even after these sales, Hanna and Barbera stayed on as advisors.
Awards and Lasting Legacy
Joseph Barbera and William Hanna won many awards for their amazing work. They received seven Academy Awards and eight Emmy Awards. Their cartoon shows became a huge part of popular culture. The characters they created appeared in movies, books, and toys.
In the 1960s, Hanna-Barbera's shows were watched by over 300 million people worldwide. They were translated into more than 20 languages. Many of the cartoons Barbera and Hanna made focused on themes of close friendship or partnership. This can be seen with characters like Fred and Barney, Tom and Jerry, and Scooby and Shaggy. This theme might have reflected the strong business friendship between Barbera and Hanna, which lasted over 60 years.
Joseph Barbera passed away at age 95 on December 18, 2006, at his home in Studio City, Los Angeles. He had a 70-year career in animation. He was buried in Glendale's Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Many experts say that Hanna and Barbera were among the first animators to see how big television could become for cartoons. Their characters are not just animated superstars; they are a beloved part of American pop culture. They are often seen as the only rivals to Walt Disney in the world of cartoon animation.
Some of their works, like The Cat Concerto (1946) and Johann Mouse (1952), are called "masterpieces of animation." This is partly because of how well they used classical music.
Besides the Academy and Emmy Awards, they also received:
- Golden Globe for Television Achievement (1960)
- Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1976)
- Several Annie Awards
- Induction into the Television Hall of Fame (1994)
In 2005, a special wall sculpture was dedicated to Hanna and Barbera at the Television Academy's Hall of Fame Plaza in North Hollywood. This honored their huge impact on television animation.
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Barbera para niños
