Iwao Takamoto, a talented individual, had just completed his high school education at Thomas Jefferson High School in Los Angeles when the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor took place. Following this event, Iwao, his parents, and siblings were relocated to the Manzanar internment camp, where they were categorized as enemy aliens.
During his time at the camp, Iwao discovered his passion for drawing and animation through lessons taught by two fellow internees who had previously worked as art directors at prominent Hollywood film studios. One day, Iwao was given the opportunity to leave the camp to work as a fruit picker in Idaho, and he seized the chance to apply for a job as an animator at Walt Disney Productions.
Before his scheduled appointment, Iwao dedicated his weekend to honing his drawing and sketching skills, showcasing his artistic abilities to the fullest extent. His hard work paid off, as he was hired as an assistant illustrator and apprentice under the guidance of Disney's renowned "Nine Old Men," including Bob Carlson and Milt Kahl.
As a member of the Disney team, Iwao contributed to the development of both short films and feature-length productions. After spending nearly a decade at Disney, Iwao left the company in 1961 to join Hanna-Barbera Productions, where he played a crucial role in creating numerous beloved cartoon characters, such as Scooby-Doo, Astro the dog from the Jetsons, and Penelope Pitstop.
Throughout his illustrious career, Iwao Takamoto rose through the ranks, eventually retiring as the Vice President of Special Projects at Warner Brothers.
