Tom and Jerry Director Gene Deitch passes away

PRAGUE: American Oscar-winning illustrator, animator, film director and producer, Gene Deitch passed away a couple of days ago here at 95.

He had directed thirteen Episodes of Tom and Jerry and a number of Popeye the Sailor series.

Chicago-born Deitch arrived in Prague in 1959 for a ten day sojourn. But, mesmerized by the charm of Zdenka (his future wife), decided to call it his home.

Gene Deitch’s genius was recognized six decades ago when his movie Munro won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1960.

In his chronicles Gene Deitch portrayed life in communist Czechoslovakia and later in the Czech Republic after the 1989 anti-communist Velvet Revolution.

In recognition of his contribution to animation Winsor McCay Award was bestowed upon him in 2004.