Joe Oriolo

Joe Oriolo was an American animator, writer, director, and producer best known as the co-creator of Casper the Friendly Ghost and the creator of the *Felix the Cat* television series. Born Joseph Dominic Oriolo on February 21, 1913, in the United States, he began his career in animation, contributing as a voice actor—providing the Italian barber in *Gulliver's Travels*—before moving into comic books and television production. Oriolo’s most enduring work came when he co-created Casper the Friendly Ghost, a character that became a cultural staple across comics, cartoons, and merchandise. He later revived the silent-film-era Felix the Cat for a new generation, producing and directing the popular TV series that introduced the character to baby boomers. In comics, Oriolo served as artist, inker, and writer on 67 issues from 1944 to 1993, with his most credited titles including *Pat Sullivan's Felix the Cat*, *Felix the Cat*, *Punch and Judy Comics*, *The Nine Lives of Felix the Cat*, *Felix the Cat and His Friends*, and *Felix's Nephews Inky and Dinky*. He died on December 25, 1985. While Oriolo did not receive major industry awards during his lifetime, his co-creation of Casper and his stewardship of Felix the Cat secured his place in animation and comic book history.