Joe Ruby, the American animator, writer, and producer who co-created the popular cartoon series Scooby-Doo, has died aged 87.
His death was confirmed by son, Craig who said that Ruby passed away of natural causes in the early hours of August 26, 2020, in his home near Los Angeles.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEaPRmuppMh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
He was the founder of television animation production company Ruby-Spears Productions, together with Ken Spears They were noted for co-creating Scooby-Doo. The pair were hired in the 1970s to oversee the CBS Saturday morning cartoon line-up and then moved to the same position at ABC. They later started Ruby-Spears productions which produced Alvin and the Chipmunks and Fangface.
Since premiering back in 1969, Scooby-Doo grew from a relatively small cartoon series into an enormous franchise spanning multiple shows, movies, and even video games. The original series ran from 1969-1976. Ruby and Spears wrote the first five episodes of the franchise and proceeded to supervise and edit the rest of the first season.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEaDAn-F48Y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
In addition to his contribution to the entertainment industry, Ruby also served in the United States Navy and worked as a sonar operator on a destroyer during the Korean War.
Ruby is survived by Carole, his wife of 63 years, his children Cliff, Deanna, Craig and Debby and his grandchildren Carly, Zach, Evan, Hasy, Adam, Max, Ben, Blake, Sage and Kate.
For some classic Sooby-Doo moments, watch the video below.