Oscar-winning illustrator and film director Gene Deitch has died at the age of 95. Gene died n his apartment in Prague, Czech Republic. The American born animator directed 13 episodes of beloved children’s cartoon Tom and Jerry and a number from the series Popeye the Sailor.His movie “Munro” won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1960.He was nominated for the same award twice in 1964 for “Here’s Nudnik” and “How to Avoid Friendship.”
Born in Chicago in 1924, Deitch arrived in Prague in 1959 intending to stay for 10 days. But, after falling in love with his future wife, Zdenka, he ended up spending the rest of his life in the city.In 2004, he received the Winsor McCay Award for his lifelong contribution to animation.Deitch is survived by his wife and by three sons from his first marriage, all of whom are cartoonists and illustrators.