William Hanna

Birth Name:

William Denby Hanna

Birth Place:

Melrose, New Mexico, United States

Profession

Producer, Director, Writer, Actor, Soundtrack, Music department, Animation department, Art department

He and his longtime creative partner Joseph Barbera were both inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1994
Was recognized by the Boy Scouts of America and received a Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, which would be the award he was most proud of, trumping over his numerous career-related awards
Died in North Hollywood from throat cancer
Played the saxophone in a dance band while in high school, and this love for music carried into his career
A common trope of his cartoons with Joseph Barbera was the use of classical music and allusions
Was hired by MGM studios in 1938 to the company’s new cartoon studio, which is where he met his creative partner Joseph Barbera
Graduated from Compton High School, whose later alumni included rappers The Game and Eazy E, and former NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle
With his own production company, he produced more than 100 cartoon series, including "The Jetsons," "The Flinstones," "The Smurfs," and "Scooby-Doo․"
His cartoons were very popular among audiences, but received harsh reviews from critics and artist, saying that his shorts like "Tom and Jerry" were too violent
After leaving MGM studio to start their own production company, he and creative partner Joseph Barbera flipped a coin to determine the precedence in naming the company, Hanna-Barbera Productions

1958Oscar - Best Short Subject, Cartoons:Nominated
1973Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming - Informational/Factual:Winner
1974Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Informational Children's Series:Winner
1983Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Children's Entertainment Series:Winner
1983Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Program:Nominated
1984Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Children's Entertainment Series:Winner
1985Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Program:Nominated
1986Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Program:Nominated
1987Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Program:Nominated
1988Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Program:Nominated
1989Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Program:Nominated
1989Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Program:Nominated
1990Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Program:Nominated
1990Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Children's Program:Nominated
1994Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less):Nominated

Fast Facts