Gennadly "Genndy" Tartakovsky (born January 17, 1970, in Moscow) is a Russian-American animator. He is best known as the creator of Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack, both for Cartoon Network. Tartakovsky and his family moved to Chicago when he was 7 years old, after his father defected from the Soviet Union to the United States. His interest in comic books and animation led him to study animation at Cal Arts in Los Angeles. While he was there, he produced two student films, one of which was the basis of his first series, "Dexter's Laboratory". The character of Dee Dee was inspired by his older brother, Alex, who would often spoil younger brother Genndy's plans (as Dee Dee does to Dexter).