Date of Birth: July 14, 1910
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Date of Death: March 22, 2001
Biography
William Hanna was a renowned American animator, director, producer, and cartoon artist. He was born William Denby Hanna on July 14, 1910, in Melrose, New Mexico. Hanna is best known as one half of the famous animation duo Hanna-Barbera, alongside Joseph Barbera. Together, they created some of the most iconic animated television shows and characters in history, including “Tom and Jerry,” “The Flintstones,” “The Jetsons,” “Scooby-Doo,” and “Yogi Bear.” Hanna’s career in animation began in the 1930s when he joined the Harman and Ising animation studio, which produced cartoons for MGM. It was there that he first collaborated with Joseph Barbera. The duo’s talent for storytelling and animation was evident in their work on the “Tom and Jerry” series, which won seven Academy Awards for Best Animated Short Film. In 1957, Hanna and Barbera left MGM to form their own production company, Hanna-Barbera Productions. The company revolutionized television animation with its use of limited animation techniques, which allowed for the production of high-quality cartoons on a lower budget. Hanna-Barbera’s influence on the animation industry is immeasurable, as they created numerous beloved characters and shows that have stood the test of time. William Hanna continued to work in animation until his retirement in the late 1980s. He passed away on March 22, 2001, in North Hollywood, California, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire animators and entertain audiences around the world.
5 Interesting Facts about William Hanna
1. William Hanna and Joseph Barbera were awarded seven Academy Awards for their work on the “Tom and Jerry” series.
2. Hanna-Barbera Productions produced over 3,000 half-hour television shows and created more than 100 different cartoon series.
3. “The Flintstones” was the first animated series to air in prime time and was one of the most successful animated TV shows of all time.
4. William Hanna served as a Boy Scout in his youth, which he credited with helping to develop his leadership skills.
5. The duo of Hanna and Barbera was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1993.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Hanna
1. “It’s not the quantity of your time spent with your children, but the quality.”
2. “We were just two guys who liked to draw and make people laugh.”
3. “Animation is about creating the illusion of life. And you can’t create it if you don’t have one.”
4. “The most important thing is to get the story right. If you have a good story, the rest will follow.”
5. “Television was the next logical step for us. It allowed us to bring our characters to life for a new audience.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, William Hanna’s net worth was estimated to be around $300 million.
Children
William Hanna had two children, David William Hanna and Bonnie Jean Hanna.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia: William Hanna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hanna
2. [IMDb: William Hanna](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0360397/
3. [Biography.com: William Hanna](https://www.biography.com/movies-tv/william-hanna
4. [Hanna-Barbera Productions](https://www.hannabarbera.com/
