The Oscar-winning illustrator died on Thursday night at his apartment in Prague, it has been reported.

His Czech publisher, Petr Himmel, confirmed the news to The Associated Press where he explained that star died ‘unexpectedly.’ Gene, whose full name was Eugene Merrill Deitch was best known for creating animated cartoons such as Munro, Tom Terrific, Nudnik, as well as Popeye.

After he graduated, he worked as a draftsman for North American Aviation before being drafted for the military and entering pilot training.

He was also nominated for the same award twice in 1964 for Here’s Nudnik and How to Avoid Friendship. From 1945 to 1951, Gene contributed covers and interior art to jazz magazine The Record Changer.