William Denby "Bill" Hanna (July 14, 1910 – March 22, 2001) was a pioneering American animator, director, producer, and cartoon artist whose creative vision brought joy to millions across the globe throughout the 20th century. After moving frequently during his childhood, his family settled in Compton, California, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout before graduating from Compton High School in 1928. Although he briefly attended Compton City College, he left due to the onset of the Great Depression.
In 1930, Hanna began his animation career at the Harman and Ising studio, steadily developing his skills throughout the 1930s with projects like Captain and the Kids. His career took a significant turn in 1937 when he met Joseph Barbera at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Their partnership led to the creation of the iconic Tom and Jerry series, establishing them as a formidable duo in animation.
In 1957, Hanna and Barbera founded Hanna-Barbera Productions, which quickly became the leading force in television animation. The studio produced beloved series, including The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, and Yogi Bear. Under their leadership, Hanna-Barbera garnered numerous accolades, including seven Academy Awards and eight Emmy Awards. After selling the studio to Taft Broadcasting in 1967, Hanna and Barbera continued to oversee operations until 1991. Their work has left an indelible mark on popular culture, reaching an audience of over 300 million people worldwide and being translated into more than 20 languages.
