Photo: Photo by Elson-Alexandre, Los Angeles / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Public records list William Hanna as a film producer, film director and animator. Born on July 14, 1910, William Hanna was from Melrose, New Mexico, United States. Death is recorded on March 22, 2001, at the age of 90. Education on record includes Compton High School and University of California, Los Angeles. Recorded honors include Daytime Emmy Award (1974), star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (1976), Winsor McCay Award (1977) and 2 more.
My Take
William Hanna is, quite literally, a founding architect of how the world laughs. Co-creating Tom and Jerry and building Hanna-Barbera alongside Joseph Barbera, he shaped the childhoods of multiple generations across the planet. What delights me most is the small, human detail that he personally voiced the vocal effects for both Tom and Jerry, putting his own breath into characters now recognized everywhere. The Daytime Emmy, the Winsor McCay Award, the Hollywood Walk of Fame star, all earned. He passed in 2001, but that cat and mouse still chase each other endlessly. Few creators leave a legacy this universal.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- William Hanna
- Name (Japanese)
- ウィリアム・ハンナ
- Reading
- うぃりあむ・はんな
- Born
- July 14, 1910 – March 22, 2001
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Cancer / Dog
- Origin
- Melrose, New Mexico, United States
- Occupation
- film producer / film director / animator / writer / painter
2. Background
- High school
- Compton High School
- University
- University of California, Los Angeles
Awards & achievements
- 1974 Daytime Emmy Award
- 1976 star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- 1977 Winsor McCay Award
- Governors Award
- Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was William Hanna born?
Born July 14, 1910.
When did William Hanna die?
Died March 22, 2001, aged 90.
Where was William Hanna from?
William Hanna was from Melrose, New Mexico, United States.
What did William Hanna do?
William Hanna worked as film producer, film director, animator, writer, painter.
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