Longtime Hanna Barbera Writer Blitzer Dies

Barry E. Blitzer, a veteran TV writer whose credits include extensive work for animation mainstay Hanna Barbera, died Jan. 27 from complications from abdominal surgery. He was 80.

Blitzer’s career began in the 1950s on The Phil Silvers Show and saw him write for the likes of McHale’s Navy before landing his first animation job writing for The Flintstones.

He continued to write for both live action and animation through the 1980s, and wrote scripts for shows as diverse as Get Smart, Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., The Partridge Family 2200 A.D., The Love Boat, The Jetsons, Top Cat and the Beverly Hills Cats, Foofur and The Tom & Jerry Kids Show.

Blitzer shared an Emmy Award in 1956 with the writing staff of The Phil Silvers Show, as well as sharing a WGA Award nomination in 1968 with the staff of Get Smart.

He is survived by his wife, Elsie, and a daughter.