Joseph Barbera

Career overview

Joseph Roland Barbera was born on 24 March 1911 in Manhattan, New York City, and died on 18 December 2006 in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 95. After completing his education in New York, he began his professional life in the city, holding a series of odd jobs and working as a banker before entering the animation field. In 1932 he joined Van Beuren Studios, and four years later moved to Terrytoons, where he continued to develop his skills as an animator and storyboard artist.

In 1937 Barbera relocated to California and took a position at Metro‑Goldwyn‑Mayer. While at MGM he met fellow animator William Hanna, and the two formed a partnership that became best known for producing the theatrical cartoon series Tom and Jerry. Their collaboration also extended to live‑action film projects. By 1957 Barbera’s career had progressed into television production, where he contributed to a wide range of animated series and specials, including later works associated with the Hanna‑Barbera brand. Over the course of his career Barbera accumulated more than five hundred production credits, reflecting a long‑standing influence on American animation and television entertainment.