News
[R.I.P.] ‘Scooby Doo’ Co-Creator Joe Ruby Has Passed Away at 87
Brushing up against the horror genre frequently enough that it was many future fans’ first introduction to monsters and madmen they’d soon encounter in much more adult fare, the 1969 animated series “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” launched a multimedia franchise that’s still going strong today, scaring new audiences with tales of zombies and creepy locales.
That original series was co-created by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, and we’ve learned the sad news this week that Ruby has passed away. The legendary animator was 87 years old.
Ruby and Spears also created “Dynomutt” and “Jabberjaw” for Hanna-Barbera. The creative duo later launched Ruby-Spears Productions in 1977 and produced shows including “Fangface,” “The Plastic Man Comedy-Adventure Hour,” “Thundarr the Barbarian,” “Saturday Supercade,” “Mister T,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” “Sectaurs” and “Superman.”
It’s interesting to also mention, as explained by Wikipedia, that “Ruby-Spears was also responsible for the animated sequence in the 1988 film Child’s Play and replaying the sequence as a fictional commercial in the 1991 sequel Child’s Play 3.”
Variety notes, Ruby is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carole, 4 children and 10 grandchildren.
All of us here at Bloody Disgusting are deeply sad to learn that The Blob director Chuck Russell has passed away at 74 years old.
Russell’s career began with his directorial debut, 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.
The multihyphenate film director, screenwriter, and producer is best known for helming 1994 comedy The Mask starring Jim Carrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger actioner Eraser, and adventure spinoff The Scorpion King. The latter served as the first leading role for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The filmmaker left an indelible mark on horror with his ANOES sequel, 1988’s The Blob, and 2000’s Bless the Child.
Russell’s final film credit is 2024’s Witchboard remake starring Madison Iseman (I Know What You Did Last Summer), Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building), and Jamie Campbell Bower (“Stranger Things”).
It marked Russell’s return to horror after a lengthy hiatus, and he shared sequel hopes to Bloody Disgusting in an interview ahead of the remake’s release: “I got to design the board with real mystical symbols and things that I know represent good and evil, and where that board takes us if the audiences respond to the film, and I hope they will; I know it’s out there for you guys, but the sequel is a world we’ll get to go a little further. That’s sure the intention.”
He also recently expressed interest in returning to the franchise that began his career.
TMZ notes that Russell passed away at his San Diego-area home.
We send our deepest condolences to Chuck Russell’s family, friends, and fans.
Director, Co-Writer & Producer Chuck Russell behind the scenes of the horror film, WITCHBOARD. Photo courtesy of The Avenue and Atlas Distribution
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