Hoyt Stoddard Curtin, born on September 9, 1922, in Downey, California, was a prominent American composer and music producer renowned for his work with the Hanna-Barbera animation studio. Curtin's musical journey began early; he started playing the piano at age five and formed his own orchestra by ninth grade. He graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1940 and pursued further studies at the University of Southern California, where he completed his Master's Degree in music after serving in the US Navy during World War II.

Curtin's career took a significant turn in the late 1950s when he composed music for a Schlitz beer commercial produced by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. This collaboration led to his role as the primary musical director for Hanna-Barbera, where he composed iconic theme songs for numerous beloved cartoons, including "The Flintstones," "The Jetsons," "The Huckleberry Hound Show," and "Jonny Quest." His work was characterized by catchy tunes and innovative use of jazz chords, a reflection of his background as a jazz musician.

Throughout his career, Curtin wrote, conducted, and produced thousands of compositions, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of animation music. He was also an inventor, holding six US patents for pipe coupling designs. Hoyt Curtin passed away on December 3, 2000, in Thousand Oaks, California, leaving behind a rich musical heritage that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.