Directors often hold the movie-making reins, donning multiple hats, from directing to writing and producing. In the animated realm, spotting them becomes a voice-based treasure hunt for fans. Unleashing their inner thespians, some directors sneak into the recording booth, adding a dash of surprise for sharp-eared moviegoers.
It’s delightful to witness these behind-the-scenes maestros as they vocally bring to life iconic characters in their animated creations. It’s a director’s secret cameo club, where creativity knows no bounds, and the microphone becomes their stage.
10 Brad Bird - The Incredibles
Brad Bird’s animation journey started with Disney, but his discontent with their risk-averse approach in the ‘70s led him elsewhere. He found success in TV with The Simpsons. In the late ‘90s, Bird directed The Iron Giant for Warner Bros., a hidden gem. His Pixar collaborations, The Incredibles and Ratatouille in the 2000s, were hits.
A Scene Stealer as Edna Mode
In The Incredibles, Bird not only directed but also lent his voice to Edna Mode, the iconic superhero costume designer. Despite limited screen time, Edna, with her vibrant design, inventive suits, and Bird’s lively portrayal, became one of Pixar’s standout female characters. Brad Bird truly blended his voice perfectly with Edna’s character, immersing the viewers.
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9 Stephen Anderson - Meet the Robinsons (2007)
Stephen Anderson, in the early ‘90s, contributed to films like Rover Dangerfield, Bébé's Kids, and The Brave Little Toaster. Joining Disney in the late ‘90s, he started as a story artist on Tarzan, later transitioning to story supervisor. His Disney journey continued, spanning from The Emperor’s New Groove to Frozen.
A Fantastic Villain
In 2007’s Meet the Robinsons, Anderson donned multiple hats, serving as director, and showcased his versatility and skill by lending his voice to three characters. He skillfully voiced the two Robinson family members, Grandfather Bud and art enthusiast Cousin Tallulah, and the villainous Bowler Hat Guy. Anderson’s delivery stood out, contributing to the character’s comedic and villainous charm. His ability to infuse zany characters with unique personalities, especially Bowler Hat Guy, solidified his status as one of Disney’s comedic villain maestros.
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8 Pete Docter - Monsters, Inc. (2001), Up (2009), and Inside Out (2015)
Pete Docter, Pixar’s 10th employee, joined the day after graduating and played a pivotal role in every Pixar film. He directed acclaimed movies like Monsters, Inc., Up, and Inside Out, earning Oscars for Best Animated Feature for the latter two. Notably, Docter incorporated his voice into all his movies, portraying characters like CDA Agent 00002, Kevin, and the mustache emotion of Dad’s “Anger” in Inside Out.
Multiple Talents in Multiple Movies
Docter’s voice performances added a playful layer of charm to the characters, which was well executed. Especially as Kevin in Up, his vocals showed his real potential and talent. These contributions of his demonstrated a knack for infusing humor and personality into the animated personas he brought to life.
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7 Rich Moore - Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
Rich Moore, starting on Ralph Bakshi’s Mighty Mouse: The New Adventure, became a pivotal director on The Simpsons, contributing to memorable episodes like “Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment” and “Marge vs. The Monorail.” His talent extended to roles in The Critic, Futurama, and Drawn Together post-Simpsons.
Memorable Bit Performances
Venturing into animated films, Moore directed Disney’s Wreck-it Ralph, giving a nostalgic yes to classic video games. In the movie, he showcased his voice acting skills, portraying Zangief from Street Fighter and Sour Bill, King Candy’s cynical manservant. Moore’s adeptness shines through, capturing the distinct personalities of both characters. From Soul Bill’s sardonic remarks to Zangief’s motivational words, Moore perfectly represented it all.
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6 Joe Ranft - Cars (2006)
In the Cars franchise, focusing on Lightning McQueen and the vibrant cars of Radiator Springs, there’s a more reserved character, Red the Fire Truck. Red, often tending to his flowers around the town’s central statue, stands out for his quiet demeanor. The poignant aspect is that Red is voiced by the film’s co-director, Joe Ranft, to whom the movie is dedicated.
Cars
- Release Date
- June 8, 2006
- Runtime
- 116
A Lasting Impact
Sadly, Ranft passed away during the film’s production in 2005. Unlike many directors, Ranft directed just one film but left a lasting impact. His portrayal of Red, a reserved and shy character, added a touch of warmth to the ensemble. Raft’s ability to convey emotions through his voice made Red memorable.
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5 Chris Wedge - Ice Age
From the age of 12, Chris Wedge harbored a passion for animation, later co-founding Blue Sky Studios in 1987. After contributing as a principal animator for Tron, he delved into creating special effects for commercials and live-action films like A Simple Wish.
Ice Age
- Release Date
- March 10, 2002
- Runtime
- 81
Blue Sky's Mascot
Wedge’s directional journey took flight in 2001 with Blue Sky’s first animated feature, Ice Age. Notably, he not only directed but also lent his voice to Scrat, the acorn-obsessed, saber-toothed squirrel. Wedge’s comedic flair, especially in screams and grunts, turned Scrat into Blue Sky’s mascot. Wedge continued voicing Scrat, cementing the character’s popularity through movies and shorts.
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4 Tom McGrath - Madagascar (2005)
Before joining DreamWorks, Tom McGrath contributed to various animated projects in the ‘90s, including Cool World, The Ren & Stimpy Show, and Space Jam. He also lent his skills to story boarding in live-action films like How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Upon joining DreamWorks, McGrath emerged as a prolific director, overseeing hits like the Madagascar trilogy, The Boss Baby, etc.
Skipper's Impact on DreamWorks
In the Madagascar series, McGrath not only directed but also voiced Skipper, the strategic leader of a penguin quartet. His performance turned Skipper into one of DreamWork’s most famous characters, known for approaching challenges with military precision. McGrath’s consistency as the voice of all four penguins across movies, TV shows, and shorts further solidifies Skipper’s enduring recognition.
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3 Conrad Vernon - Shrek 2 (2004) and Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)
Conrad Vernon, an eager animator, joined DreamWorks as a writer for the breakthrough film Shrek. His journey at DreamWorks continued with directing roles, including co-directing Shrek 2, Monsters vs Aliens, and Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.
"Not My Gumdrop Buttons!"
Notably, Vernon lent his voice to various characters in DreamWorks films, with the Gingerbread Man being his standout role. Reprising this role in every Shrek film and short, Gingerbread Man, or Gingy, is celebrated for his humor, fairy tale jokes, and unfiltered honesty. In the Madagascar series, Vernon voices Mason, the articulate chimpanzee on globetrotting adventures.
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2 Cory Edwards - Hoodwinked! (2005)
Cody Edwards, demonstrating artistic flair from a young time, collaborated with his brother Todd Edwards, creating home videos and directing a comedy show for Anderson University. Their notable achievement came in the early 2000s with Hoodwinked!, one of the first independently produced CGI films, recognized among the top animated crime movies.
Hoodwinked
- Release Date
- December 16, 2005
- Runtime
- 81
A Charming, Standout Character
Cory not only wrote and directed the film but also voiced Twitchy, a lively squirrel and partner to Wolf, the investigative reporter. Twitchy’s hyperactive charm, simple design, and rapid speech made him the film’s standout character. Cory perfectly displayed his voice acting skills while voicing Twitchy’s high, hyperactive voice pitches.
1 Andrew Stanton - Finding Nemo (2003)
Andrew Stanton, a Massachusetts native and one of Pixar’s early employees, defied expectations by voicing the 150-year-old sea turtle, Crush, in Finding Nemo. Despite not fitting the stereotype of a Californian surfer, Stanton brought authenticity to Crush’s character. Stanton’s Pixar journey began with significant contributions to Toy Story and A Bug’s Life, which he co-directed.
Dude!
As the full director of Finding Nemo, Stanton not only voiced Crush but also the iconic flock of seagulls chanting “Mine!” With Crush, Stanton perfectly portrayed the character’s laid-back personality through his voice. Stanton showed his true vocal work while voicing the seagull’s chant. Stanton perfectly conveyed the distinct personalities of characters through his voice.
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