William Hanna
Biography
William Denby "Bill" Hanna (July 14, 1910 – March 22, 2001) was an American animator, director, producer, television director, television producer, and cartoon artist, whose movie and television cartoon characters entertained millions of fans worldwide for much of the 20th century. When he was a young child, Hanna's family moved frequently, but they settled in Compton, California, by 1919. There, Hanna became an Eagle Scout. Hanna graduated from Compton High School in 1928. He briefly attended Compton City College but dropped out at the onset of the Great Depression.After working odd jobs in the first months of the Depression, Hanna joined the Harman and Ising animation studio in 1930. During the 1930s, Hanna steadily gained skill and prominence while working on cartoons such as Captain and the Kids. In 1937, while working at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Hanna met Joseph Barbera. The two men began a collaboration that was at first best known for producing Tom and Jerry and live action films. In 1957, they co-founded Hanna-Barbera, which became the most successful television animation studio in the business, producing programs such as The Flintstones, The Huckleberry Hound Show, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, The Smurfs, and Yogi Bear. In 1967, Hanna–Barbera was sold to Taft Broadcasting for $12 million, but Hanna and Barbera remained heads of the company until 1991. At that time the studio was sold to Turner Broadcasting System, which in turn was merged with Time Warner, owners of Warner Bros., in 1996; Hanna and Barbera stayed on as advisors.Hanna and Barbera won seven Academy Awards and eight Emmy Awards. Their cartoons have become cultural icons, and their cartoon characters have appeared in other media such as films, books, and toys. Hanna–Barbera's shows have a global audience of over 300 million people and have been translated into more than 20 languages.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (42)
Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass
Characters (Writing)
2025
Tom and Jerry: The Complete CinemaScope Collection
Producer (Production)
2025
Tom and Jerry: Snowman's Land
Characters (Writing)
2022
Tom and Jerry Cowboy Up!
as Tom / Jerry (voice) (archive sound)
2022
On a Roll
as Tom / Jerry (archive sound) (uncredited)
2021
The House That Cat Built
as Tom / Jerry (archive sound) (uncredited)
2021
Tom & Jerry
as Tom / Jerry (archive sounds) (uncredited)
2021
Daphne & Velma
Characters (Writing)
2018
Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Characters (Writing)
2018
Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Characters (Writing)
2017
Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz
Characters (Writing)
2016
Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright
Characters (Writing)
2013
Scooby-Doo! and the Skeletons
Director (Directing)
2012
Tom and Jerry: Golden Collection Volume One
as Tom (voice 1942-1958)
2011
Top Cat: The Movie
Characters (Writing)
2011
Scooby-Doo! and the Pirates
Director (Directing)
2011
Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz
Characters (Writing)
2011
Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes
Executive Producer (Production)
2010
Tom & Jerry: Deluxe Anniversary Collection
as Tom (voice) (archive sound) (uncredited)
2010
Tom and Jerry: Winter Tails
Characters (Writing)
2008
Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale
Characters (Writing)
2007
Tom and Jerry: Shiver Me Whiskers
as Tom / Jerry (voice) (archive sound)
2006
The Karate Guard
Characters (Writing)
2005
Tom and Jerry: The Fast and the Furry
Characters (Writing)
2005
Tom and Jerry Blast Off to Mars!
Characters (Writing)
2005
Tom & Jerry: Spotlight Collection
2004
Cartoon Network Christmas: Yuletide Follies
as (voice)
2004
Les Aventures effrayantes de Scoubidou
Writer (Writing)
2003
Scooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire
In Memory Of (Crew)
2003
Scooby-Doo's Spookiest Tales
Characters (Writing)
2003
Scooby-Doo! Winter WonderDog
Producer (Production)
2002
Scooby-Doo Meets Batman
Director (Directing)
2002
Scooby-Doo
Executive Producer (Production)
2002
Boo Boo and the Man
Characters (Writing)
2002
The 1st 13th Annual Fancy Anvil Awards Show Program Special: Live in Stereo
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2002
Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring
Executive Producer (Production)
2002
The Flintstones: On the Rocks
In Memory Of (Crew)
2002
Night of the Living Doo
Characters (Writing)
2001
The Mansion Cat
Characters (Writing)
2001
Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase
Executive Producer (Production)
2001
Scooby-Doo's Creepiest Capers
Director (Directing)
2000
Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders
Executive Producer (Production)
2000
TV Shows (8)
Tom and Jerry
as (archive voices)
2023
Jellystone!
Characters (Writing)
2021
Tom and Jerry in New York
Characters (Writing)
2021
Yabba-Dabba Dinosaurs
Characters (Writing)
2020
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
Characters (Writing)
2010
Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!
Characters (Writing)
2006
Tom and Jerry Tales
Creator (Creator)
2006
Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law
Characters (Writing)
2000