Joe Hanna

Joe Hanna (born Joseph Roland Hanna, April 13, 1928 – January 4, 2001) was an American animator, director, producer, storyboard artist, and voice actor. He is most widely known as one half of the animation duo Hanna-Barbera, responsible for creating a vast array of iconic and enduring animated television series.

Alongside William Barbera, Hanna co-founded Hanna-Barbera Productions in 1957, which quickly became a dominant force in the animation industry, particularly in the realm of television animation. The studio produced numerous popular and influential cartoon series, including The Flintstones, The Huckleberry Hound Show, Yogi Bear, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, The Smurfs, and many others.

Hanna's primary role within Hanna-Barbera focused on production and story, collaborating closely with Barbera, who often oversaw the business and marketing aspects of the studio. Together, they developed a streamlined animation process that allowed them to produce a high volume of animated content, adapting to the demands of the growing television market. This process, while successful in terms of output, sometimes received criticism for prioritizing efficiency over animation quality.

Hanna and Barbera were inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1994. Their work has been recognized with numerous awards, including seven Academy Awards and eight Emmy Awards. Their contributions significantly shaped the landscape of animation and popular culture, and their creations continue to be enjoyed by audiences worldwide.

After years of independent operation, Hanna-Barbera Productions was acquired by Taft Broadcasting in 1966. It subsequently became part of Turner Broadcasting System in 1991, and eventually Time Warner (now Warner Bros. Discovery). Hanna and Barbera remained involved in the studio's operations for many years after the acquisition.