Scooby-Doo co-creator Joe Ruby has passed away aged 87.
Ruby’s original animated series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? was created in 1969 and involved a Great Dane named Scooby-Doo and his gang of four human companions who solved mysteries with supposedly supernatural creatures.
As per Variety’s report, Ruby, who was born in Los Angeles in 1933, died of natural causes on Wednesday in Westlake Village, California. His animation career began under Walt Disney Productions before he shifted focus to editing and producing.
His obituary reads, ‘After graduating from Fairfax High School, Joe enlisted in the US Navy during the Korean War where he served on a destroyer as a sonar operator.’After serving in the U.S. Army, Ruby met soon-to-be collaborator Ken Spears at Hanna-Barbera Productions.
Ruby and Spears introduced Velma, Daphne, Shaggy, Fred and the beloved Scooby Doo to kids and cartoon lovers across America in 1969 before winning hearts across the globe.
Scooby-Doowent onto become a cult children’s classic spurning several follow-ups including a spin-off animated series, TV specials including Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated and Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost, two big budget Hollywood live-action films starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr and computer-animated Scoob! released on demand and in select theatres this year.
Speaking of the beloved show, both Ruby and Spears had previously admitted to being surprised by the success and popularity of Scooby-Doo. In an interview with ScoobyAddicts.com, Spears said : “ We were worried it wouldn’t last but one season, much less 38 years. It was up against The Hardy Boyson NBC and we thought we’d get clobbered in the ratings.” Besides Scooby-Doo, Ruby and Spears also created shows such as Dynomutt , Dog Wonder, Jabberjaw, Superman and Alvin and the Chipmunks among others.
Ruby is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Carole, their four children, and ten grandchildren.
Rest in peace Joe Ruby.
