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.
Gene Deitch, the creator of Tom & Jerry has left for the Heavenly Creator. You added so much happiness to all our lives, no matter how young or old. Salute and Respect. #RIPGeneDeitch pic.twitter.com/vkysgNy4El
— Francis Joseph (Educator) (@Francis_Joseph) April 21, 2020
The Oscar-winning illustrator and animator was remembered by people from around the world who paid virtual tributes to him.
#RIPGeneDeitch
The Creator Of #TomandJerry will never forgets you sir. You made our Childhood Awesome 🖤
May your soul Rest in Peace 😞 pic.twitter.com/rha1Ze3P5m— CHANDU (@TarakChandh) April 20, 2020
(Sigh) R.I.P my childhood cartoonist #RIPGeneDeitch pic.twitter.com/6CktQ3jnVv
— Titanium Samurai (@Titanium0901) April 21, 2020
just coz of u ……we had a wonderful childhood😢#RIPGeneDeitch pic.twitter.com/7GP4gDH8be
— Fizzay (@F926za) April 21, 2020
I think #comic is the most difficult creative work #countless tears pains #hardship gives a ray of light to create comic Late Gene Deitch the man created #TomandJerry characters.#RIPGeneDeitch #TomandJerry pic.twitter.com/KXTHJYuhT2
— Seetha Vikram Shobha❤️ (@The_witty_Engr) April 21, 2020
Gene Deitch (1924 – 2020).
"Tom & Jerry And Popeye Director"🖤
Thank you Gene for making our childhood awesome.❤✨#RIPGeneDeitch pic.twitter.com/9HvjDSTPeG— Fraz Chaudhary (@frazchofficial) April 21, 2020
Art of the day #GeneDeitch #TomandJerry #RIPGeneDeitch #artoftheday #avivinay pic.twitter.com/grjrwgW9Wh
— Avi Vinay (@AviVinay) April 21, 2020
#RIPGeneDeitch We really miss you sir.. May ur soul rest in peace.. 💔 pic.twitter.com/p39bPHKM3g
— SK'sChellamaVibhushana💕💃🏻 (@Vibhu_Shana) April 21, 2020
Here is to Gene Deitch (1924 – 2020) 😪
"Tom and Jerry and Popeye" Director.
Gene made life very beautiful for kids the world over and still does.
He will be sorely missed.#RIPGeneDeitch pic.twitter.com/3YvuVvR4Y3— GeoData World CommsNG (@GeodataWorld) April 21, 2020
We have grown up with this. Thanks to the man who made us laugh. #RIPGeneDeitch pic.twitter.com/6LjylgHZAl
— bhagyashree (@bhagy22) April 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/Bavyasrik/status/1252488543080902659
The person who made our childhood awsome left us on 16th april.😔
Eugene Merril Deitch was an American-Czech illustrator, animator, comics artist and film director.#Respect #love #RIPGeneDeitch pic.twitter.com/K3PCPjqx6l— Shivam Bhatia (@shivam_bhatia97) April 21, 2020
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.
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.