Iwao Takamoto
Wow. Three big hits to Hanna-Barbera in the past few months. First, Ed Benedict. Then, Joe Barbera. Now, Iwao Takamoto. Of the studio’s old-timers, these were the three guys with whom I spent the most time while working in the Animation Art department. They were three very different men, for sure.
I’m guessing that between Iwao and Ed, they must’ve designed 80% of the main Hanna-Barbera characters for thirty years.
It was around 1996, when it was obvious that Mr. Barbera and, especially, Bill Hanna were not going to make as many gallery appearances as they had been doing (an incredible source of income for the studio and for the galleries), it was suggested that Iwao begin going out on the road. At first, Warner Bros Studios Stores, the division of WB that had taken over Hanna-Barbera Animation Art, was extremely skeptical. However, it was abundantly clear with Iwao’s first appearance (I think it was at Barker Animation Art Gallery in Connecticut) that he was a star. Well, he and Scooby. Scooby-Doo, the character for which Iwao was most famous, was perhaps at the height of his popularity (this was before he reached over-saturation with the movies). Crowds adored Iwao, and he ate it up. Now, Messers Hanna and Barbera had been somewhat used to making that face-to-face connection with folks who had grown up with their creations, but Iwao wasn’t. I’m sure it was overwhelming for him at times. However, Iwao always remained generous with his talent. There must exist literally thousands of original Iwao Takamoto Scooby drawings made for fans. And although Iwao originally designed tons of character – Atom Ant, Astro, Penelope Pitstop, Hong Kong Phooey, for starters – the requests for art were almost always of the Great Dane. Finally, while the fans at a Hanna or Barbera event were usually older boomers, little children would clamber around Iwao because of his Scooby connection.
Iwao was the epitome of a gentleman. He was cordial to all and well-mannered. He could be loquacious. He was a master draftsman. He could speak with knowledge on just about any subject that arose. It was both a pleasure and an education to travel with him.
The above piece of art is a serigraph image of Iwao’s original drawing for a monster Limited Edition cel made at Hanna-Barbera. While vilified by many (“Jonny Quest and Ricochet Rabbit together?”), that type of gallery art amassing the studio’s roster of characters was always a huge hit with collectors. I watched Iwao draw parts of that original piece. It was as though the lines were already there, and his pencil was sort of uncovering them. It makes me sad to this day to know someone swiped that original art before I had the chance to. And it makes me sad that I won’t get to see Iwao draw again.
Thanks for your company, Iwao.
– Eric
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On January 9th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Wow..thank you for that lovely eulogy Eric.
Iwao was one of the people I got to interview for my senior thesis in college (entitled “why do cartoons today suck”). It was around the same time I met John K., and learned of Fred…it was an important and exciting time for me as a young animator to be, and my interview with him was inspirational. He was very gracious with his time and knowledge. What an honor it was to meet him and get to talk with him.
On January 9th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Iwao was such an inspiration to me when I started at Hanna Barbara years ago. He has since become my mentor and my friend. I am so blessed to have known him, and so sad that he is now gone.
On January 9th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Unlike many of his contemporaries, Iwao virtually drew, and at the peak of his considerable ability, until the day he died. He never lost it. Lucid and incisive, a treasure trove of animation history, the man was a legend. With the passing of Joe Barbera, Ed Benedict and now Iwao, we are indeed at the end of an era.
On January 11th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Thank you for your memories of Iwao. I was so blessed to meet & work with him back in 1997 for the WB gallery in Costa Mesa. It was amazing to tell Iwao that he was the reason I wanted to be an animator, and Scooby Doo of course. He was so encouraging to me about the Animation business. And, I was so blessed to see him again, this time working in the same industry. He always took the time to speak with me. He will always be with us.
On January 14th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I had the pleasure of meeting Iwao at an art gallery visit in Seattle back in ‘97. He was very warm, gracious and so approachable and was enlightened by the reponse of visiters to the gallery to see him. I have been a cartoon nut and H-B fan since I was knee-high and his visit was chance to meet another one of the ‘greats.’ I met Bill Hanna at a gallery appearance in 1991. Anyway, I happened to have opportunity for some one-on-one time with Iwao and his wife and as a cartoon junkie, I wanted to ask him something that wasn’t the “who’s your favorite character?” type of question. As he and his wife Barbara sat, I felt compelled to kneel. It was as much of a way for me to get more relaxed and make him feel more at ease as it was a simple gesture of respect to him. I asked him, “What would you say out of all your years in animation has been your proudest moment?” It was with that, he paused and thought to himself. Then with a bit of a gleam in his eye he said to me, “making the ‘Last of the Curlews’ for the ABC After School Special and being honored with the Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Programming.” THAT, was such a complete surprise for me to hear that it almost bowled me over into tears, my eyes started to well up. I told him that “Last of the Curlews” was a cartoon that I haven’t seen in over thirty years, yet I remember the impact that it made on me that day and I carry with me to this day. A trade brochure advertised it as, “A lesson in not only the importance of conservation, but for the reverence of life — all life.” I will never forget that TV movie and of my brief, but powerful visit with Iwao. He was a true gentleman and a friend of millions. Thanks for everything!