Chris Meledandri
Encyclopedia
Chris Meledandri is the founder (2007) and CEO of Illumination Entertainment
.
, where he served as an executive producer of Cool Runnings
.
, which he built into a successful producer of animated features. He oversaw the creative and business operations of Blue Sky, now Fox’s wholly owned CGI studio. While at the studio, Meledandri supervised and/or executive produced movies including Ice Age
($383MM), Ice Age: The Meltdown
($655MM), Robots
($266MM), Alvin and the Chipmunks
($361MM), The Simpsons Movie
($527MM) and Dr. Seuss
’ Horton Hears a Who!
($297MM). He also produced two animated shorts, Gone Nutty
and No Time For Nuts
, both were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
, a family film production company, co-owned and financed by Universal Pictures
. In 2010 Illumination released its first film, Despicable Me
, and in 2011 Hop, both of which Meledandri also co-produced.
Illumination is currently in production on a feature film version of Dr. Seuss
' The Lorax
, which continues the successful collaboration between Meledandri and Theodore (Dr. Seuss) Geisel's widow, Audrey. Other upcoming projects include an animated feature adaptation of Ricky Gervais
’ Flanimals books, and a sequel to Despicable Me.
and is a member of the board of trustees at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut.
Illumination Entertainment
Illumination Entertainment is an American film production company, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007. It is owned by Universal Studios and based in Santa Monica, California. It is best known for its 2010 animated feature Despicable Me.- History :...
.
Walt Disney Pictures
Before joining Fox, Meledandri was president of Dawn Steel Pictures at Walt Disney PicturesWalt Disney Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures is an American film studio owned by The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney Pictures and Television, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Studios and the main production company for live-action feature films within the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, based at the Walt Disney...
, where he served as an executive producer of Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings is a 1993 comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub. It is loosely based on the true story of the Jamaica national bobsled team's debut in the bobsleigh competition of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. It stars Leon Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Malik Yoba, and Rawle D...
.
20th Century Fox Animation
During his tenure, he produced Ever After: A Cinderella Story and helped Fox become a major player in the world of animated feature films. In 1998 he led Fox’s acquisition of fledgling visual effects/commercial house Blue Sky StudiosBlue Sky Studios
Blue Sky Studios is an American CGI-animation studio which specializes in high-resolution, computer-generated character animation and rendering. It is owned by 20th Century Fox and located in Greenwich, Connecticut...
, which he built into a successful producer of animated features. He oversaw the creative and business operations of Blue Sky, now Fox’s wholly owned CGI studio. While at the studio, Meledandri supervised and/or executive produced movies including Ice Age
Ice Age (film)
Ice Age is a 2002 American computer-animated film created by Blue Sky Studios and released by 20th Century Fox. It was directed by Carlos Saldanha and Chris Wedge from a story by Michael J. Wilson. The story follows three Paleolithical mammals attempting to return a lost human baby to its parents...
($383MM), Ice Age: The Meltdown
Ice Age: The Meltdown
Ice Age: The Meltdown, also known as Ice Age 2: The Meltdown or simply as Ice Age 2, is the 2006 sequel to the 2002 computer-animated film Ice Age. It was produced by Blue Sky Studios for 20th Century Fox, and premiered in Belgium on March 1, 2006...
($655MM), Robots
Robots (film)
Robots is a 2005 American computer-animated comedy film produced by Blue Sky Studios for 20th Century Fox, and was released theatrically on March 11, 2005. The story was created by Chris Wedge and William Joyce, a children's book author/illustrator. The two were trying to create a film version of...
($266MM), Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks (film)
Alvin and the Chipmunks is a 2007 comedy film directed by Tim Hill. Based on the animated series of the same name, the film stars Jason Lee, David Cross, and Cameron Richardson with the voices of Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Jesse McCartney. It was distributed by 20th Century Fox and...
($361MM), The Simpsons Movie
The Simpsons Movie
The Simpsons Movie is a 2007 American animated comedy film based on the animated television series The Simpsons. The film was directed by David Silverman, and stars the regular television cast of Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Tress...
($527MM) and Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist most widely known for his children's books written under the pen names Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg and, in one case, Rosetta Stone....
’ Horton Hears a Who!
Horton Hears a Who! (film)
Horton Hears a Who!, also known as Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!, is a 2008 American CGI-animated comedy feature film based on the Dr. Seuss book of the same name. It is the fourth feature film from Blue Sky Studios, and the third feature film based on a Dr. Seuss book, following How the Grinch...
($297MM). He also produced two animated shorts, Gone Nutty
Gone Nutty
Gone Nutty is an animated short film, directed by Carlos Saldanha for Blue Sky Studios. The short features the character Scrat from Ice Age, who is yet again having troubles with collecting his beloved acorns. It has roughly the same story as the trailer at the very beginning of Ice Age...
and No Time For Nuts
No Time for Nuts
No Time for Nuts is a computer animated short film from Blue Sky Studios , starring Scrat of Ice Age fame, premiering on the DVD release of Ice Age: The Meltdown, much in the same vein as Gone Nutty on the previous movie's DVD release...
, both were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
Illumination Entertainment
Meledandri left his post as President of 20th Century Fox Animation in early 2007 and founded Illumination EntertainmentIllumination Entertainment
Illumination Entertainment is an American film production company, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007. It is owned by Universal Studios and based in Santa Monica, California. It is best known for its 2010 animated feature Despicable Me.- History :...
, a family film production company, co-owned and financed by Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
. In 2010 Illumination released its first film, Despicable Me
Despicable Me
Despicable Me is a 2010 American computer-animated 3D comedy film from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment that was released on July 9, 2010 in the United States. The film features the voices of Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, and...
, and in 2011 Hop, both of which Meledandri also co-produced.
Illumination is currently in production on a feature film version of Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist most widely known for his children's books written under the pen names Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg and, in one case, Rosetta Stone....
' The Lorax
The Lorax
The Lorax is a children's book written by Dr. Seuss and first published in 1971. It chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax, who speaks for the trees against the greedy Once-ler. As in most Dr...
, which continues the successful collaboration between Meledandri and Theodore (Dr. Seuss) Geisel's widow, Audrey. Other upcoming projects include an animated feature adaptation of Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais
Ricky Dene Gervais is an English comedian, actor, director, radio presenter, producer, musician, and writer.Gervais achieved mainstream fame with his television series The Office and the subsequent series Extras, both of which he co-wrote and co-directed with friend and frequent collaborator...
’ Flanimals books, and a sequel to Despicable Me.
Personal life
Meledandri was born in New York City. He is a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He attended Dartmouth CollegeDartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
and is a member of the board of trustees at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut.