PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC—Gene Deitch, an American Oscar-winning illustrator, animator, film director, and producer died at the age of 95 on Friday, April 17.
Deitch died unexpectedly in the night at his apartment in Prague. He was born August 8, 1924, in Chicago and in 1959 arrived in Prague for a planned short stay. During this stay, he met his second wife, Zdenka Najmanova, whom he stayed in Prague for.
Deitch directed 13 episodes of the animated series “Tom and Jerry,” as well as some episodes of the “Popeye the Sailor” series. In 2004, he received the Winsor McCay Award for his lifelong contribution to animation.
He is survived by his wife and three sons from his first marriage. All are whom are cartoonists and illustrators like their father.
