Joseph Barbera

Early Life and Education

Joseph Barbera, an American animator, director, producer, storyboard artist, and cartoonist, was widely recognized as the co-creator of beloved animated series such as *Tom and Jerry*, *The Flintstones*, *The Jetsons*, *Scooby-Doo*, and *Yogi Bear*. He joined forces with his partner William Hanna to establish Hanna-Barbera Studios, which went on to become one of the most successful animation studios in history.

Born in New York City in 1911 to Italian immigrants, Barbera’s passion for drawing blossomed at a young age. After completing high school, he embarked on a career in art. Prior to joining Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studio in 1937, Joseph Barbera held various jobs including that of a bank clerk, a magazine illustrator, and a cartoonist. While holding down a banking job, Barbera started submitting his cartoons to magazines and sold his first cartoon to *Collier’s* magazine. This early success encouraged him to leave his banking job behind and fully embrace a career in animation.

Career at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

He joined Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1937 as a sketch artist. It was during his time at MGM that he crossed paths with William Hanna, and they forged a partnership that spanned over six decades. Their first collaboration resulted in the creation of *Tom and Jerry* in 1940, which became an instant hit. Their success established them as prominent figures within the industry.

Establishment of Hanna-Barbera Productions

In 1957, they decided to leave MGM and venture into creating their own production company called Hanna-Barbera Productions. This move marked a significant turning point in the world of animation, as the duo ventured into producing cartoons specifically for television.

At their newly formed studio, Hanna and Barbera produced numerous iconic animated television shows. They were pioneers when it came to implementing limited animation techniques. This innovation substantially reduced both production costs and the time involved. Limited animation, while criticized by some, allowed Hanna-Barbera Productions to create numerous cartoon series for television, reaching a wider audience than ever before. They compensated for their limited animation technique by focusing on character development and witty dialogue. They produced some of their most notable works during this time, which includes *The Jetsons*, *Yogi Bear*, and *Scooby-Doo*.

Impact on Animation

They captured the hearts of their viewers through innovative storytelling. *The Flintstones*, a prime-time animated sitcom, became the first animated series to air in a regular time slot, thereby paving the way for future animated shows.

Legacy and Later Years

Warner Bros. acquired Hanna-Barbera Productions in 1996, leading to the eventual closure of the studio. However, the characters and the animated works produced by the studio will always be cherished. The Hanna-Barbera team created over 3,000 half-hour shows for 150 television cartoon series, winning eight Emmy Awards for their remarkable contributions to the industry.

Barbera continued to work as an animator, director, producer, and writer until his death in 2006 at the age of 95. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest animators of all time, whose works are still viewed by millions today.