Remembering Jerry Eisenberg: A Legacy in Animation

Animator, producer, storyboard artist, and character designer Jerry Eisenberg — renowned for his contributions to legendary Saturday morning cartoon studios Hanna-Barbera and Ruby-Spears — has passed away due to complications from pneumonia. Eisenberg, who had been unwell for some time, died on February 11 at the age of 87.

This sad news was shared by writer Mark Evanier on his News from ME blog, resonating throughout the animation community.

A Journey Through Animation

Born on December 14, 1937, in Los Angeles, Jerry was the son of animation and comics artist Harvey Eisenberg (known for Tom and Jerry). He pursued his passion at CalArts and began his career in 1956 as an in-betweener at MGM, following in his father’s footsteps. After the studio’s closure just seven months later, he transitioned to Warner Bros. Cartoons, working as an assistant to animator Ken Harris.

Contributions to Iconic Productions

In 1961, Eisenberg joined Hanna-Barbera Productions, founded by MGM veterans William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. Here, he co-created The Peter Potamus Show, designed characters for Wacky Races and Super Friends, and contributed to the layout department for beloved series like The Jetsons, Jonny Quest, and The Huckleberry Hound Show.

A New Chapter at Ruby-Spears

Eisenberg’s journey continued when Joe Ruby and Ken Spears established Ruby-Spears Productions in 1977. He joined the team as a producer and character designer, working on notable titles such as Thundarr the Barbarian, Fangface, and The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show. The Ruby-Spears studio thrived until 1996.

Later Career Highlights

Throughout his career, Eisenberg expanded his expertise into storyboards, layout, design, and writing for various productions across multiple studios. His impressive portfolio includes work on Warner Bros. Animation titles like Johnny Bravo, Tom & Jerry Kids, and several Scooby-Doo direct-to-video films, as well as Muppet Babies (Marvel Prod.) and House of Mouse (Walt Disney Television Animation).

A Lasting Legacy

Jerry Eisenberg is survived by his wife, Raymonde, who friends say provided exceptional care during his later years. His remarkable contributions to the animation industry will be remembered and celebrated.

For a deeper insight into Jerry Eisenberg’s illustrious career, check out this Oral History interview conducted by The Animation Guild in 2012.