My fellow bookworms with a heavy heart I must report Joe Ruby, the animation writer and executive who co-created Scooby-Doo with Ken Spears, died on Wednesday in Westlake Village, California. He died from natural causes at 87. Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Machine gang were first introduced in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! in September 1969. The series launched one of the most popular animation franchises of all time, spawning countless more shows after Where Are You! ended in October 1970. The franchise inspired two live-action films, dozens of direct-to-video movies, and the 2020 animated feature Scoob!. Last year, Cartoon Network launched the latest animated series, Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?.
As a proud 90’s kid Scooby-Doo laid the foundation of my childhood; I couldn’t imagine growing up without hearing ‘zoinks!‘ or ‘jinkies!‘. But more importantly I can’t begin to imagine animation without Scooby-Doo. I collected the dolls, watched the live-action adaptations religiously and connected to Velma on a spiritual level. Honestly she’s who I want to be when I grow up. And anyone who doesn’t agree that 70’s version is superior isn’t your friend.
Ruby admitted that there was nothing he would change about any of the characters and that he never had a Scooby snack. Mind blown. Ruby is survived by his wife Carole, four children and 10 grandchildren. Thank you Ruby for the memories and for my childhood.