On This Day

William Hanna

Animator William Hanna

Profession: Animator

Nationality:
United States of America
American

Biography: William Hanna formed a partnership with Joseph Barbera in 1957 after they have created "Tom and Jerry" (1940). They became the first animation studio to successfully produce animation especially for television.

Some of their best-known series include "The Huckleberry Hound Show" (1958), "The Flintstones" (1960), "The Jetsons" (1962) and "The Smurfs" (1981).

Together they have won six Emmy Awards and were nominated for two Academy Awards. They won the first Emmy for an animated programme.

Born: July 14, 1910
Birthplace: Melrose, New Mexico, USA

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Dog
Star Sign: Cancer

Died: March 22, 2001 (aged 90)
Cause of Death: Throat cancer

Articles and Photos

Married Life

  • 1936-08-07 Animator William Hanna (26) weds Violet Blanch Wogatzke (23)

Historical Events

  • 1940-02-10 "Tom & Jerry" cartoon created by William Hanna & Joseph Barbera debut by MGM
  • 1941-07-19 Tom and Jerry first appear under their own names in cartoon "The Midnight Snack" by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
  • 1958-09-05 "The Huckleberry Hound Show" by Hanna-Barbera featuring Yogi Bear premieres on US TV
  • 1960-06-20 "The Huckleberry Hound Show" by Hanna-Barbera becomes the first animated programme to win an Emmy
  • 1960-09-30 "The Flintstones" the first animated sitcom created by Hanna-Barbera premieres on ABC in the US
  • 1962-09-23 ABC's 1st color TV series - The Jetsons by Hanna-Barbera first broadcast
  • 1969-09-13 "Scooby-Doo Where are You" by Hanna-Barbera debuts on CBS in the US
  • 1981-09-12 "The Smurfs" animated cartoon series by Hanna-Barbera first broadcasts in North America
  • 1990-07-06 "Jetsons the Movie" by Hanna-Barbera with Tiffany Darwish, premieres

Famous Cartoonists

Search the largest, most accurate site for today in history.