The Dutch singer-songwriter worked on the much-loved cartoon series from 1977 until 2005.
His debut hit The Smurf Song reached No 2 in the UK charts in June 1978.
Kartner’s songs for The Smurfs went on to sell 17million copies worldwide.
He wrote more than 1,600 songs throughout his career, including tunes for the popular cartoon series Moomin and the Dutch entry for the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.
Kartner eventually parted ways with The Smurfs series over artistic differences with his record company Dureco.
Kartner, who was born in Amsterdam in 1935, began singing when he was just eight having won a local festival contest, but went on to work in a local chocolate factory.
His music career hit the big time though when he debuted his alter-ego Vater Abraham (aka Father Abraham) in 1971 and released Father Abraham Had Seven Sons in 1971.
Developing his on-stage character he grew out his beard and wore a bowler hat to create his famous signature look.
He was approached in 1977 to compose The Smurf Song.
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