Tom and Jerry’s director, Gene Deitch, passed away at the age of 95. The Oscar winner died on Thursday evening in his apartment in Prague. His publisher, Petr Himmel, confirmed the news to The Associated Press, stating that the star had died “unexpectedly”. Gene, whose full name was Eugene Merrill Deitch, was best known for creating cartoons such as Munro, Tom Terrific, Nudnik, as and Popeye.
After graduation, he worked as a draftsman for North American aviation before he was drafted into the military and entered pilot training. He was also nominated twice for the same award for Here’s Nudnik and How to Avoid Friendship in 1964. From 1945 to 1951, Gene Cover and Interior Art contributed to the jazz magazine The Record Changer.
In the 1950s, Gene was an early supporter and audio engineer for Connie Converse, one of the first American singer-songwriters. Gene is survived by his wife and three sons from their first marriage, who are all writers and artists for alternative comics.
One tweeted: “RIP, my childhood memory.”
“The man behind so many childhood memories has died … Director Gene Deitch. Thank you, sir. # RIPGeneDeitch # TomAndJerry # Popeye – DEWFF.T.F.M.F 
Thank you for making my childhood happy, Gene Deitch. Rest in peace. – Rr (@rappiii_) April 19, 2020
Another commented: “The legendary Tom & Jerry & Popeye director, Gene Deitch, has died. Greetings to you, sir. You have made our childhood entertaining …”
I’m just so heartbreaking that my childhood TV animator Tom and Jerry and Popeye shows that the sailor Gene Deitch passed away. # RIPGenedeitch – treveon (@ treisbae2) April 19, 2020
The legendary director of “Tom & Jerry” and “Popeye”, GENE DEITCH, dies at the age of 95. RIP, my childhood memory.
And a farewell to a legend that is part of childhood and later, ”added a fan.