Joe Ruby

"There was no great awakening or such. I did some magazine cartooning years before, but never perused it much. It was just a "freak" opportunity that came up at Hanna-Barbera"

"In very many ways, Joe was the quintessential cigar chompin’ Hollywood producer. In far many others he was atypical in that role. He could keep his focus when everything about him was going completely bonkers, either from network fiat or his own crew running riot. And he always retained his compassion and empathy. I’m sorry he didn’t get to do more projects that he wanted to do, not stuff the networks forced him into producing. I’m glad I had the chance to work for him."