Joseph Barbera and Friend
12/18/2011
Joseph Barbera died five years ago today. His name might not be too recognizable on its own, but what about when you pair it with that of his good friend, William Hanna? A bell should be ringing now – or perhaps a whistle blowing at the prehistoric rock quarry – reminding you of the yabba dabba duo who brought us the town of Bedrock, Jellystone Park and the Mystery Machine.
 William Hanna and Joseph Barbera (Wikimedia Commons/How Bill and Joe Met Tom and Jerry)
Hanna and Barbera were more than just coworkers – their 60-year partnership was based on a deep respect for each other, both as friends and as animators. And it showed in their work: over and over, we see buddies at the forefront of their cartoons.
One of Hanna-Barbera’s earlier cartoons provides a classic example of best pals. There's no friendship quite like the stone-age friendship of Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble.
Fred and Barney were quickly followed by a suspiciously similar pair… Yogi and Boo Boo sometimes seem a bit like Fred and Barney in bear suits.
As the ‘60s got groovier, Hanna-Barbera brought us the groovy duo of Scooby and Shaggy.
Years after the deaths of Hanna and Barbera, their great friendship lives on in dozens of cartoon classics.
Written by Linnea Crowther
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