Fred Flintstone animator dead at 94

Ed Benedict, who brought Fred Flintstone and Yogi Bear to life for Hanna-Barbera Studios, died on August 28 in his sleep in Auburn, California. Benedict began his career at Disney Studios in 1930, followed by work with Woody Woodpecker creator Walter Lantz at Universal Studios throughout the 1930s. He returned to Disney in the 1940s. In 1952, Benedict was recruited by cartoon legend Tex Avery to become Avery's lead layout artist and designer at MGM. Benedict then joined the fledgling Hanna-Barbera Studios in the late 1950s where he designed the Flinstones, their neighbors Barney and Betty Rubble, as well as the cars, inventions, and landscapes for the primetime animated series (1960-1966). Benedict was also the primary designer of Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw, Snagglepuss, and other H-B staples. Benedict freelanced for various studios in the 1960s and 70s before retiring. He was 94.

Sources: Cartoon Brew, Don Markstein's Toonopedia, Associated Press, Wikipedia