Big Cartoon Database reports that Emmy-winning Hanna-Barbera writer Barry Blitzer has passed away on January 27 in Santa Monica, California due to complications from abdominal surgery. He was 80 years old.

Blitzer penned episodes of THE FLINTSTONES, THE JETSONS and TOP CAT from the 1960s through the 1980s. His other HB credits include THE ROMAN HOLIDAYS (1972), GOOBER AND THE GHOST CHASERS (1973), PARTRIDGE FAMILY: 2200 A.D. (1974), JOKEBOOK (1982), THE FLINTSTONE KIDS (1986), THE NEW YOGI BEAR SHOW (1988) and TOM & JERRY KIDS SHOW (1990).

For Filmation, he teamed with Len Janson to write WACKY & PACKY, which was part of the THE GROOVIE GOOLIES AND FRIENDS and UNCLE CROC'S BLOCK series.

He won his Emmy in 1956 for THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW.

This other live-action credits include GET SMART, GOMER PYLE, U.S.M.C., THE LOVE BOAT, TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT, MCHALE'S NAVY, GOOD TIMES and LAND OF THE LOST.

Blitzer was born on April 29, 1929. He earned a degree from the University of Georgia and was in the U.S. Army in the Korean War.

Since 1961, he was a WGA member who fought for equal rights for cartoon writers.

Additionally, he guest lectured at the University of Texas-Austin and penned a humor column for THE PALISADEAN POST.

His wife Elsie, daughter and sister survive him.