Fondly looking back during our childhood days, we’ll always remember the cartoons which made us happy and entertain. Among the cartoons which we used to watch, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! is that cartoon which will always stand the test of times. It was funny, intriguing, and well-made. Today, who made the cartoon a possibility for us, has passed away. His name is, Joe Ruby, the co-creator of Scooby-Doo and at the age of 87, he is no more.
Entertainment news source Variety reported that Ruby passed away at his home due to natural causes. His home is in California, Westlake Village.
As a co-creator, he partnered with Ken Spears to create Scooby-Doo for Hanna-Barbera Productions. They both met each other while working as sound editors at the company.
The cartoon series revolved around a talking Dane and his friends Velma, Daphne, Shaggy, and Fred. It debuted on CBS in 1969 and the 4 of its first 25 episodes we’re written and story edited by Spears and Ruby.
In the 1970s Ruby and Spears took a major move in their career, they moved to CBS in order to supervise their lineup of Saturday morning cartoons. Further, in 1977 the writers made a bold move in their career. They started their own production company, Ruby-Spears productions which not only became successful but under which they launched several iconic cartoons such as Thundarr the Barbarian, Mister T, Superman and Alvin, and the Chipmunks.
Their production company was acquired in 1981 by the parent company of Hanna-Barbera, working under which they made their name. Taft Entertainment was the company that had acquired it.
When the news of his death started coming out, at the same time tributes also started pouring in. Leading them was Sam Register, Warner Bros. Animation and Blue Ribbon Content who said :
“He was one of the most prolific creators in our industry who gifted us some of animation’s most treasured characters and it was a thrill to host him at our studio.”
On the other hand, his grandson, Benjamin Ruby talked about his grandfather and said, “He never stopped writing and creating, even as he aged.”
Having departed the world now, Ruby has left his wife, Carole, 4 children, and 10 grandchildren behind.
We thank Joe for giving us Scooby-Doo and many memorable memories. His legend lives on in Scooby-Doo.