Date of Birth: March 24, 1911
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Date of Death: December 18, 2006
Biography
Joseph Roland Barbera was a renowned American animator, director, producer, storyboard artist, and cartoonist. Born in the Little Italy section of Manhattan, New York City, Barbera became one of the most influential figures in the animation industry. He is best known for co-founding the famous animation studio, Hanna-Barbera, alongside William Hanna. The duo created some of the most beloved and enduring characters in animation history, including Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, and Yogi Bear. Barbera’s career began in banking but shifted to animation when he joined the Van Beuren Studio in 1932. He later moved to MGM, where he met William Hanna, and together they created Tom and Jerry. Their partnership flourished, leading them to establish Hanna-Barbera Productions in 1957. The studio revolutionized television animation, producing hit after hit and pioneering techniques that made animation more cost-effective and suitable for TV. Barbera’s work earned him numerous awards, including several Academy Awards for Tom and Jerry. He continued to be active in the animation industry into his later years, contributing to various projects and mentoring new generations of animators.
5 Interesting Facts about Joseph Barbera
1. Joseph Barbera initially worked as a banker before switching to a career in animation.
2. Together with William Hanna, Barbera won seven Academy Awards for their creation, Tom and Jerry.
3. Hanna-Barbera was the first animation studio to produce cartoons specifically for television.
4. Barbera and Hanna’s partnership lasted over 60 years, making it one of the longest and most successful collaborations in animation history.
5. Barbera was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1993.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Joseph Barbera
1. “Creating great animation means not just drawing characters, but bringing them to life.”
2. “Animation is about creating the illusion of life. And you can’t create it if you don’t have one.”
3. “I don’t think there’s a limit to how much you can keep innovating in animation.”
4. “We didn’t realize we were pioneers; we just did what we loved.”
5. “The best part of creating characters is seeing them take on a life of their own.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Joseph Barbera’s net worth was estimated to be around $300 million.
Children
Joseph Barbera had three children: Jayne Barbera, Neal Barbera, and Lynn Barbera. Jayne and Neal both followed in their father’s footsteps and became involved in the animation industry.
Relevant Links
1. [Joseph Barbera – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Barbera
2. [Hanna-Barbera – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0053455/