|
|
|
Iwao Takamoto: An asset lost
Only three weeks after suffering the loss of the widely-acclaimed animator and cartoon artist, Joseph Barbera, who brought us endearing cartoons such as Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, and the Jetsons, along with his partner William Hanna, the world has witnessed the demise of another legendary animator, closely associated with the Hanna-Barbera Productions.
The death of Iwao Takamoto on January 8 this year, due to a massive coronary attack shook the entire globe. Though best known for being the production designer for Hanna-Barbera Productions, Takamoto was an animator and film director, too. Indeed, Takamoto can claim a huge and irrefutable share in the everlasting and unwavering success of many iconic cartoons produced by Hanna-Barbera.
Born on April 29, 1925 in Los Angeles, California, Takamoto had Japanese ancestry. He was sent with his family to an internment camp during the Second World War. It was there Takamoto received key training in basic illustration, though he only stepped into the lively world of cartoons after the World War ended. Working for Walt Disney Studios for nearly 15 years as an assistant animator, and going on to lend a helping hand to Milton Erwin Kahl — one of the most celebrated draftsmen working for Disney Studios, it is in Walt Disney that his skills were polished and refined.
However, Takamoto ultimately left Walt Disney in the early 1960s, progressing to Hanna-Barbera Productions where he initially managed a number of different positions, but eventually turned to character designing. From there on, Takamoto and Hanna-Barbera were two inseparable names. In fact, Iwao Takamoto is the one behind the character designs of distinguished and much loved cartoons such as the gutless, chocolaty brown Great Dane Scooby-Doo in the popular cartoon series by the same name, as well as Astro, the dog owned by the Jetson family in The Jetsons. He is also known for designing the lovely Penelope Pitstop in the wild Wacky Races, a character that went on to have her very own show on television.
As a creative producer, Takamoto’s accomplishments are uncountable. He was the one behind various TV series such as Yogi’s Gang, Inch High — Private Eye, Jeannie, Super Friends, Goober and the Ghost Chasers, Devlin, Tom and Jerry, Clue Club, and the Kwicky Koala Show. He also contributed to Sleeping Beauty, Cindrella and Peter Pan. In fact, the list still goes on to include many other equally famous series.
Takamoto is also greatly admired for his supervision of the eccentric but captivating show The Adam’s Family, another favourite around the world.
In 1973, Takamoto worked as a director on Charlotte’s Web, an adaptation of E.B White’s famed book for children, a story about friendship, bravery and salvation. Later, in 1990, he also directed the much appreciated The Jetsons: A Movie.
Undeniably, Takamoto was a wonderful asset to the world of television. Takamoto himself admitted that he was “responsible for 75-80 per cent of Hanna-Barbera’s output.” His accomplishments and achievements are too many to be listed. Only two years ago, he received the Golden Award from Animation Guild, as a token of appreciation for a service of nearly 50 years in the field of animation. From director and producer, to designer and animator, Iwao Takamoto did it all. He was 81 at the time of his death. Truly, he will be missed.
|
|
|
|
