Tributes Pour In After Gene Deitch, Director Of ‘Tom & Jerry’ & ‘Popeye’ Dies At 95

Growing up, summer vacations would be all about eating juicy mangoes, playing in the afternoon, and binge-watching ‘Tom and Jerry’ in the evening. And more than two decades later, like every 90’s kid, I still enjoy watching Jerry annoying Tom.

But I have a piece of sad news for all you Tom and Jerry lovers. We lost Gene Deitch, the director of the world’s most popular cartoons ‘Tom and Jerry’ and ‘Popeye’. According to NDTV, Gene died in his apartment in Prague at the age of 95.

The Oscar-winning illustrator and animator was remembered by people from around the world who paid virtual tributes to him.

https://twitter.com/Bavyasrik/status/1252488543080902659

And like most of us, actor Vicky Kaushal was also taken aback with his untimely demise, reports Times Of India. He took to social media and expressed his grief.

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It is unknown what lead to his death, however, his last Facebook post on April 11, was about the coronavirus. But reports indicate that his death wasn’t related to coronavirus.

Gene is credited for the animated short movie ‘Munro’ that won the Academy Award for ‘Best Animated Short Film’ in 1960. He is also acknowledged for directing animated feature ‘Alice of Wonderland In Paris.’ Deitch is survived by his wife and three sons from his first marriage, all of whom are cartoonists and illustrators.

Thanks, Gene for making our childhood awesome. You will be missed.

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