Scooby Doo co-creator Ken Spears dies at age 82… less than three months after his animation partner Joe Ruby passed away at age 87
Scooby-Doo co-creator Ken Spears has died at the age of 82.
His passing comes less than three months after his animation partner Joe Ruby died.
His son Kevin Spears revealed his father passed away on Friday due to complications related to Lewy body dementia, according to Variety.
Ken and Joe were the masterminds behind Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?, which was created in 1969.
RIP: Scooby-Doo co-creator Ken Spears has died at the age of 82.
He said of his father: ‘Ken will forever be remembered for his wit, his story-telling, his loyalty to family, and his strong work ethic,’ he said to Variety.
‘Ken has not only made a lasting impression on his family, but he has touched the lives of many as co-creator of Scooby-Doo. Ken has been a role animal for us throughout his life and he will continue to live on in our hearts.’
Ken and Joe creator the animated series Scooby-Doo as well as founders of Ruby-Spears Productions.
Ken was born Charles Kenneth Spears on March 12, 1938, growing up in Los Angeles.
Genius: Ken and Joe were the masterminds behind Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?, which was created in 1969
In August: His passing comes less than three months after his animation partner Joe Ruby (pictured) died
He became friends with the son of William Hanna, an animation producer; In 1959, he was hired as a sound editor at Hanna’s company, Hanna-Barbera Productions.
During his time at the production company, Ken met Joe Ruby, beginning not only a friendship but a writing partnership, per Variety.
The twosome wrote teleplays for Hanna-Barbera, DePatie-Freleng Enterprises and Sid and Marty Krofft Television Productions.