Pierre Kartner, better known as Father Abraham has died at the age of 87.
The Dutch musician amassed millions of fans across the world under the pseudonym Vader Abraham (Father Abraham), having written around 1600 songs.
His songs for The Smurfs sold around 17 million copies around the globe, having worked with the cartoon series from 1977 until 2005.
Born Petrus Antonius Laurentius Kartner in April 1935, Pierre started his singing career aged just eight, winning a local festival before going on to work in a local factory in Amsterdam.
In 1971, the star launched his alter-ego after writing a festival song titled Father Abraham had seven sons.
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Following the launch, Father Abraham wore a fake beard but Pierre went on to grow one for himself and often war a bowler hat which became his staple accessory.
Just six years later, he was tasked with making a promotional song for the animated cartoon The Smurfs, with the record label releasing 1,000 copies of The Smurf Song, initially being hesitant over its potential success.
However, the collection sold out in just one day and an extra 400,000 copies were later released and again, sold out.
Following the astronomical success, Pierre created a full album for the series which went on to sell over 500,000 copies having been released in various countries, with different adaptations depending on the local language.
Just 17 years ago, he recorded The Smurf Song with the dance act Dynamite, his final recording for the series.
Fans have since taken to social media to pay tribute to the late star, with one writing: "Pierre Kartner RIP A great smurf man has passed away. He also earned his money that way. Let us mourn."
"I only now see that #PierreKartner has died. What a loss. My favourite will always be 'Den Uyl is in den olie'. Lovely song," wrote a second.
Before a third added: "Last greeting of the smurfs to magic Pierre Kartner."
Away from his work for The Smurfs, Pierre had written the opening and closing credits on the Japanese cartoon series of Moomin, named Ik ben verliefd (Shalalie).
He was also responsible for writing the Dutch entry for the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.
Pierre's career spanned over an impressive five decades, with the late star working until 2022.
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