Ken Spears

Birth Name: Charles Kenneth Spears

Date of Birth: March 12, 1938

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Death: November 6, 2020

Place of Death: Brea, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Ken Spears was an American animator, writer, television producer, and sound editor. He co-created the Scooby-Doo franchise, beginning with the show Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, with Joe Ruby. The two also co-created the shows Dynomutt, Dog Wonder; Jabberjaw, and Fangface. They co-founded animation production company Ruby-Spears Productions.

He was the son of Edna and Harry Spears, who was a radio host, producer, and real estate businessperson. His father was born in London, England, to Polish Jewish parents. His mother was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents. She died one month after his birth. He was partly raised in New York City, New York. Ken had two children.

Ken’s maternal grandfather was Charles Henry Graver/Graiver (the son of Morris Graver and Ester Katz).

Ken’s maternal grandmother was named Mollie/Molly Cohen/Kahn (the daughter of Benis Cohen and Gertie).

Sources: Ken’s parents on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Genealogies of Ken Spears (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.familysearch.org
https://findagrave.com