Ken Spears, co-creator of Scooby Doo, dies at 82

Ken Spears, the co-creator of Scooby-Doo, has passed away at the age of 82.

Co-founder of the television animation production company Ruby-Spears production and four-time Emmy nominee, he died in California from Lewy body dementia, his son Kevin informed the Hollywood Reporter.

The news comes less than three months after his partner Ruby passed away on Aug 26.

Together with Ruby, who he met as a sound editor and staff writer at Hanna-Barbera, the duo created magic with the supernatural cartoon Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, the first episode of which aired on 13 September 1969.

All but four of the first 25 episodes were written and story-edited by them.

"Warner Bros. Animation is saddened to learn of the passing of Ken Spears and we send our warmest thoughts to his loved ones. He was a true innovator in the industry whose gifts of humour and storytelling continue to delight audiences,” Sam Register, president of the Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, said in a statement.

“You cannot find a screen in the world that has not played a version of Scooby-Doo. We continue to be inspired by his work at Warner Bros. Animation and are honoured to carry on the legacy of his beloved characters.”

Spears is survived by his two sons, Kevin and Chris; their wives, his five grandchildren and his three great-grandchildren.