Tom and Jerry were an animated cat and mouse team that formed the basis of a successful series of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) theatrical short subjects created, written, and directed by animators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera (later of Hanna-Barbera fame). The cartoons centered on a never-ending rivalry between a housecat (Tom) and a brown mouse (Jerry), whose chases and battles often involved comic violence. Many generations of kids have grown up watching this memorable duo throughout the world. Even today, more than 60 years after the first cartoon came out, Tom and Jerry remain 2 of the dearest and most recognizable cartoon characters in the world.