Legendary Popeye and Tom & Jerry Animator Gene Deitch Dies at 95.

Gene Deitch, an American Oscar-winning illustrator, animator, film director and producer has died. He was 95.

His Czech publisher, Petr Himmel, told Dene Deitch died unexpectedly during the night from Thursday to Friday in his apartment in Prague’s Little Quarter neighborhood. No further details given.

Deitch’s movie “Munro” won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1960.

He was also nominated for the same award twice in 1964 for “Here’s Nudnik” and “How to Avoid Friendship.”

Earlier, he had created the “Tom Terrific” series, while the “Sidney’s Family Tree,” which he co-produced, nominated for an Academy Award in 1958.

Born Aug. 8, 1924, in Chicago, Deitch arrived in Prague in 1959 intending to stay for 10 days.

But he fell in love with his future wife, Zdenka, and stayed in the Czechoslovakian capital.

He directed 13 episodes of “Tom and Jerry” and also some of the “Popeye the Sailor” series.

Gene Deitch lived the true life of an artist and has left behind a wealth of animated entertainment for many generations to enjoy.

RIP Gene Deitch. Thank you for making our childhood awesome 🙏