Joe Ruby, Co-Creator of 'Scooby-Doo,' Dies at 87

Joe Ruby, who co-created “Scooby-Doo” with his partner Ken Spears, died of natural causes Wednesday in Westlake Villiage, California, according to Variety. He was 87.

The beloved animated kids’ mystery series, whose full title was “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?,” premiered in 1969 on CBS and aired until 1976, with several spinoffs and movies following in the years to come. The characters, Scooby-Doo, Fred, Shaggy, Daphne, and Velma, were designed by Iwao Takamoto.

“He never stopped writing and creating, even as he aged,” his grandson Benjamin Ruby told Variety.

Also Read: Katie Daryl's 'Top Ten Revealed' on AXS TV to Resume in October With 12 New Episodes (Exclusive)

Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation and Blue Ribbon Content, told TheWrap, “Joe Ruby made Saturday mornings special for so many children, including myself. He was one of the most prolific creators in our industry who gifted us some of animation’s most treasured characters and it was a thrill to host him at our studio. Scooby-Doo has been a beloved companion on screens for more than 50 years, leaving an enduring legacy that has inspired and entertained generations. We at Warner Bros. Animation have the privilege and honor of carrying on that legacy and send our warmest thoughts to his loved ones.”

The premise of the Saturday morning cartoon followed the four teenagers and their talking Great Dane as they traveled in their van, the Mystery Machine, to solve mysteries. They often unmasked villains at the end of the episodes, who would exclaim some iteration of, “I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids!”

Spinoffs of “Scooby-Doo,” like “Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo” and “A Pup Named Scooby-Doo,” and others aired on ABC from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, with reruns later airing on Cartoon Network. Warner Bros. made two live-action movies in the early 2000s called “Scooby-Doo” and “Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.” From 2002 to 2008, a new series “What’s New Scooby-Doo?” aired on Kids’ WB and then The CW. Cartoon Network later launched another series, “Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!” in 2014, which ran until 2018. “Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?” began airing on Boomerang in 2019.

Ruby and Spears also created other Hanna-Barbera series including “Dynomutt” and “Jabberjaw.”

From Wags to Riches: 11 of TV's Most Famous Dogs (Photos)

In honor of #InternationalDogDay, we look back at some of the small screen's most recognizable canine stars.
Pal, the original Lassie, made $4,000 a week in 1954 or $51,000 in today's world. Lassie has since been played by 10 generations of Pal's descendants.
(Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Flame Jr., also known as Rin Tin Tin IV, starred in the TV hit ABC show "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin" from 1954-59. The famed dog was responsible for increasing the popularity of German shepherds as family pets and was nominated for the American Humane Association's PATSY Award for animal performers.
"Adventures of Rin Tin Tin" Season 1 Episode 12
Moose, the Jack Russell terrier who played Eddie on "Frasier" (1993-2004), earned a cool $10,000 per episode. In total, Eddie earned $3.2 million in his 11-year run. He also received more fan mail than any of his costars! Fun fact: Eddie's biological son, Enzo, took over the role after his dad retired.
Getty Images
Gidget, the 12-pound chihuahua known for the ubiquitous catchphrase, "Yo quiero Taco Bell!" was propelled to stardom after landing the lucrative fast-food campaign in the late '90s. She also starred as Bruiser's mom in 2003's "Legally Blonde 2" alongside Reese Witherspoon.
1999 Taco Bell Commercial/Video Archeology
Even though Sadie isn't exactly a TV star, Oprah Winfrey's cocker spaniel was mentioned so many times on her show, she became almost as famous as her gazillionaire owner. In 2009, Dogtime.com reported that Oprah set aside $30 million for her five dogs, including Sadie.
Instagram
Cookie Frankel, "Real Housewives of New York" star Bethenny Frankel's dog, has more than 25,000 followers on Twitter. The Lhasa apso gets regular massages and is constantly fed antioxidant-rich carrots. "Everyday is a spa day for her," Bethenny has said.
Instagram
"Million Dollar Listing" star Fredrik Eklund insists his miniature dachshund, Fritzy, needs a big living room to play in. But Eklund is realistic, insisting he would never spend more than $2 million on his dog's digs. Moderation is key, people.
Instagram
Giggy, "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Lisa Vanderpump's Pomeranian, is perhaps one of TV's most pampered pups, with his own personal chef and Twitter account. He has become such a fan favorite that he now makes his own red carpet appearances, rich owner in tow.
Getty Images
Stewart, a Pembroke Welsh corgi, played who played Captain Raymond Holt’s dog Cheddar for much of the run of the sitcom "Brooklyn Nine Nine" -- often featured in the show's elaborate shenanigans. Stewart died in 2019 at age 13.
NBC
Brigitte, a French bulldog "actress," best known for her role as Stella on ABC's hit comedy "Modern Family," won Best Dog in a Television Series at the inaugural Golden Collar Awards in 2012.
The American Human Association
On the last seven seasons of “Modern Family,” Beatrice replaced Brigitte as the beloved bulldog Stella owned by Ed O'Neill's Jay Pritchard. Beatrice died in March 2020 -- just weeks after production wrapped on the long-running sitcom's series finale.
ABC