Your tributes to cartoonist William Hanna

The legendary US animator William Hanna has died at the age of 90.

He was half of the Hanna-Barbera duo with Joseph Barbera, who created some of the most famous and instantly recognisable cartoons of the last half century.

Scooby Doo, Tom & Jerry, the Flintstones and The Hair Bear Bunch -among many others- became the staple diet of cartoons for several generations of children all over the world.

Did you grow up with Hanna-Barbera cartoons? What did you think of them? Send us your tributes to William Hanna.

This page is now closed. Your tributes:

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What I find fascinating about these cartoons is that they are evergreen

Grace Ho How Lian, Bedok, Singapore

Hanna Barbera cartoons were always a part of my childhood. I remembered watching the Flintstones way back in '71. I also watched Huckleberry Hound, Yogi Bear and Scooby Doo from '72 onwards. What I find fascinating about these cartoons is that they are evergreen. They are as suitable for children now as they were before. My children are now enjoying the cartoons as much as I did decades ago. News of Mr Hanna's death has certainly evoked memories in me. It is so hard to believe so many years have gone by since the last time I watched these cartoons. May he rest in peace.
Grace Ho How Lian, Bedok, Singapore

My favourite cartoon, being Russian Jewish, has got to be Yogi Bear because Ranger Smith always wants to send Yogi to Siberia.
Leo Tsypkin, USA

I am really saddened by his death as others are. My whole family have grown up with the cartoons such as Scooby Doo, The Flintstones and Wacky Races. I'm 13 and I've watched many of his greatest cartoons. I think the very first cartoon I saw was The Flintstones, as my parents had bought a video for me and my brother to watch. My all time favourites have to be The Flintstones, Scooby Doo and Dick Dastardly and Muttley. He will be greatly missed.
Rhiannon Rainsfoth, UK

His cartoons (of which I believe Tom and Jerry was the weakest) were good alternatives to the boring, romantic nature of some Walt Disney cartoons. Their sense of humour was rather European and they were full-length mirrors of modern time. Remember Top Cat?
Sina, Iran

I thank his work for having inspired me to become an animator myself

Sunil Thankamushy, USA

I grew up with the impeccable humour, timing and animation of Tom and Jerry. I thank his work for having inspired me to become an animator myself. May he rest in peace. Or better still, may he reincarnate soon to entertain us with more characters.
Sunil Thankamushy, USA

It is remarkable how he made fun of the adult world in a way perceivable by children. Nowadays, is there a cartoon to depict a relationship nearly as well as Hanna did with Fred and Wilma Flintstone? No, modern animators can't find anything humorous in such things, preferring the absurd (a la "Cow and Chicken") and violence.
Andrej, Russia

Like all of us, I and my family grew up with Tom and Jerry. Even as a grandparent now, I can't resist watching them. He has brought joy not only to the children, but that child today has grown up to become a grandparent. He brought joy to millions of people, where religion or race did not have any barrier. Many, many thanks to him and may his soul rest in peace.
K.MAILWAGANAM, Malaysia

Go Puppy Power! I join your other correspondents in their tributes to Bill Hanna. However, I must act as the lone voice in support of Scrappy Doo. Scrappy remains an underestimated talent!
Richard Trotman-Dickenson, USA

Hanna Barbera cartoons are loved not only in the great countries such as US or UK or Europe. Coming from a Third World country, my life was filled with Tom and Jerry, the Flintstones and what not. I used to fight with my small sister for those cartoons - even just a few years ago and I'm 24 now.
Naushad, Bangladesh

Bill Hanna was indeed smarter than the average bear

Martin, UK

My children sit down and watch cartoons that I used to watch, waiting for my mum to cook the tea. They bring back so many memories and I never tire of watching them again and again (thanks to Cartoon Network). Bill Hanna was indeed smarter than the average bear.
Martin, UK

I must admit, sitting here, I find it hard to imagine a world without Tom & Jerry. I think, in terms of modern culture, these characters have more significance than, for example, Shakespearean characters.
Jojo, Canada

I've always loved Hanna-Barbera cartoons, ever since I was little. They've brought me so much happiness over the years. Bill, you will be missed greatly.
Vera, USA

Thank you Bill for your outstanding work during all these years. I cannot imagine my childhood without Scooby Doo, or with out any of your great cartoons, me, my child and my grandchildren would like to say: You're Yaba Daba great!
Luis Buenrostro, Mexico

The Flintstones were great because they could entertain the whole family. It's a good thing to have a laugh with your Mum and Dad. Thanks, Bill!
Peter Mansoor, Netherlands

Even our grandchildren enjoy the older cartoons of Mr Hanna

Jean Collins, Mexico

Growing up, we loved to see the Flintstones and Top Cat and Yogi Bear. They made our afternoons fun and simple. The cartoons today are mainly super trash - even our grandchildren enjoy the older cartoons of Mr Hanna more than these so-called super heroes. I am sorry he has died. It is a great loss for all children at heart.
Jean Collins, Mexico

The cartoon network will never be the same ever again. The loss of such a gallant genius can never be overcome!
Abhay Verma, Russian Federation

Words are not enough to tell how much love the old and new generations have for you, in fact your cartoons are the only things I still remember from my childhood, you have enriched our imaginations with sweet and funny values, we will never forget you.
Nasif Masad, Chile

William Hanna had some very good cartoons, better than the rubbish they show today

Bill Wilson, USA

Saturday mornings were special to me when I was a kid. No school, I could play with my friends and I could watch Space Ghost, The Herculoids, and Mightorr. William Hanna had some very good cartoons, better than the rubbish they show today.
Bill Wilson, USA

I'm 60 years old and love all the early and recent Hanna-Barbera cartoons. My son was a writer on "Dexter's Laboratory" which started before Hanna-Barbera became the Cartoon Network.
Kay, USA

They may not have had the big budgets of Disney, but the simple, honest fun of Scooby Doo, The Flintstones and Wacky Races and the timeless comic brilliance of Tom and Jerry, knock today's mindless toy and commercial tie-ins for six! Thank-you for the pleasure you have given to millions of children over the years (and indeed many grown-ups too)!
Paul Davis, UK

A great loss to the cartoon world

Tiffany Harris, Scotland

I, like many others I am sure, grew up with Tom and Gerry, Scooby Doo and the rest of the cartoon family. They will remain timeless classics and bring humour to many generations to come. Hanna was a man with a child's imagination and he kept that with him all his life. A great loss to the cartoon world.
Tiffany Harris, Scotland

Growing up as a child would never have been the same without Fred, yogi, Tom and Jerry just before bedtime! Thanks for the joy they brought us then and now. You may have left us now but the memories will continue. Rest peacefully friend.
Doug Rolls, Zambia

Bill Hanna showed us some magical cartoon moments and he realised that what people wanted was to be entertained by things that were fun. I got out an old Tom and Jerry video from my childhood recently and watched it. Either I haven't grown up or those cartoons are just incredibly funny. The quality of them shows true craftsmanship.
Jon Anderson, UK

William Hanna may have left but his work will live on. He has given both my Husband and I great memories of our childhood. He gave my children endless hours of great fun. We love Tom and Jerry and still watch them to this day, they rule!
Judy, Berkshire, UK

Who didn't grow up loving Scooby Doo, the Flintstones and Tom and Jerry? William Hanna was a great man who has given joy to millions of children all over the world, and his legacy will continue to give joy to millions more children for generations to come.
Daren, UK

Heaven is in for some humour at last!

Gerry, N. Ireland

William brought a lot of happiness to a lot of people - young and old alike. Truly a legend in his own lifetime. He will live on through this art. Heaven is in for some humour at last!
Gerry, N. Ireland

It's sad when anyone dies, but, alas, that does not necessarily raise their work, however influential, to the level of genius. The Hanna-Barbera cartoons used simplistic repeating backgrounds, repetitive action frames, and character stereotypes to provide mindless entertainment.
C. Louden, Canada

Despite my being a child of the 1980s, I always loved the work of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, especially the likes of "Hong Kong Phooey", "Wacky Races", and of course, the timeless classic, "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?" Okay, Scooby Doo BEFORE Scrappy Doo was introduced...
Mike, UK

Tom and Jerry is the real classic

Mat Allen, UK

It's one of those things you know will happen eventually, but never want it to come, namely the death of one of animation's pioneers. Hanna and Barbera not only pushed forward the boundaries of cartoons, they also made them a prime requisite for TV viewing with the Flintstones, Jetsons and Scooby-Doo. But Tom and Jerry is the real classic to me; a basic concept, yet so much humour and life brought out of a simple cat and mouse...
Mat Allen, UK

Considering how much laughter and joy he gave to kids (and kids at heart) all over the world for over half a century, Bill Hanna is certainly one of the greatest figures of 20th century. RIP, and thank you...
Eiyo Baba, USA

Clearly a man who was "smarter than the average bear"! The likes of the Flintstones is obviously the inspiration behind the only good modern cartoon, "The Simpsons". He gave us "pesky kids" many hours of pleasure.
Paul, UK

A fantastic animator

Richard Gardener, UK

William Hannah was a fantastic animator who gave so much laughter and joy to children and adults alike. He will be sorely missed, but thanks to technology - his work and his legend will go on forever. Rest In Peace and God Bless all he leaves behind who loved him.
Richard Gardener, UK

What sad news. My childhood was all the richer for Scooby (though not Scrappy!), Captain Caveman, Hong Kong Fuey and his clever cat, Top Cat, Wait Till Your Father Gets Home and all the rest. I agree with the others, the cartoons the kids watch today are nothing in comparison.
Joey, Germany (from UK)

I remember one particular Tom and Jerry cartoon centred around a pool table. The gags were totally hilarious and showed a great deal of originality and comic genius. It's one of my fondest memories from my childhood as I remember my two brothers and I, paralysed from laughter on the floor with aching stomach muscles, almost unable to breath, tears streaming down our red faces for a good 15 minutes! Thank you, William Hanna.
Jason, UK

Hong Kong Phooey was the MAN.
Tom, London

Although he is dead, "Tom & Jerry" remains forever in my heart.
Seunghyun Lim, Inchon, Korea

A hugely talented man

Mike Collins, UK

A hugely talented man who bought joy to millions of children (aged 3-70) all over the world.
Mike Collins, UK

Even as an adult I can't resist watching Tom and Jerry and I passed this tradition on to my daughter Hamsatu. RIP William Hanna.
A. Mohammed Bashir Shuwa, Borno, Nigeria

Thank you ...
Mark M. Newdick, USA/UK

The man who gives children laughter will never be forgotten. He certainly was smarter than the average bear
Chris, United Kingdom

A sad loss to the world. His cartoons are timeless and enjoyable for all ages. For those of us who grew up watching them they will forever be an indelible part of our childhood. May he rest in peace.
Wendy, New Zealand

A genius

Mark B, UK

A genius. I suspect most adults could still sit down and watch Yogi, Fred Flintstone, Tom and Jerry etc. just as they did as children. I know I could (and do!). Now kids have to watch rubbish like Power Rangers and Pokemon. They don't know they're born...
Mark B, UK

William Hanna was the founder of simple, entertaining cartoons which were always pleasing to the eye. Today's cartoons make me feel like a pensioner; they're extremely complicated, look harsh and angular, are aggressive and more infuriatingly, ALWAYS have a 'moral of the story' ending. And by the way, what is Pokemon all about?
Rebecca Southwell, UK

The early episodes of the Flintstones, Tom and Jerry and Scooby Doo were fantastic. I've always wondered though how much input he had later on when a lot of these cartoons started going down-hill. Why did Tom and Jerry start stalling? Why was Scrappy Doo introduced? Who gave the go-ahead to turn the Flintstones (and Scooby Doo) into Hollywood flopbusters? The work of William Hanna was incredible, but I do think that external forces spoiled his creativity.
Jeff Scholey, UK

William Hanna RIP Long live the Fintstones, Yogi and Cie.
Hazel, UK