Gene Deitch, an American Oscar-winning illustrator, animator and film director died at the age of 95 in Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic.
Deitch is known for animating one of the most popular cartoon series ‘Tom and Jerry’ and ‘Popeye the Sailor’. He was also granted the Academy Award for his Best Animated Film “Murno” in 1960.
Born in 1924 in Chicago, Deitch went to Prague planning to stay there for 10 days, but fell in love with his future wife, Zdenka.
In 2004, he earned the Winsor McCay Award for his remarkable contribution to animation throughout his life.
Gene Deitch is survived by his wife and three sons who are all cartoonists and illustrators.
