Gene Deitch, an American Oscar-winning illustrator, animator, film director and producer has died at 95. His Czech publisher, Petr Himmel, told The Associated Press Deitch died unexpectedly during the night in his apartment in Prague’s Little Quarter neighbourhood. No further details were given. Working from behind the Iron Curtain, he directed 13 episodes of Tom and Jerry and also some of the Popeye the Sailor series. Deitch is survived by his wife and by three sons from his first marriage, all of whom are cartoonists and illustrators.