Chris Williams (director)


Chris Williams is a Canadian American animator, film director, screenwriter and voice actor who directed the short film Glago's Guest and co-directed Bolt, which was nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2009, Big Hero 6, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2015 and Moana, which was nominated for two Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song in 2016.

Early life

Williams was born in Missouri and spent the first 25 years of his life in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, where his father was the Director of Counselling Services at the University of Waterloo. Williams graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in Fine Arts and then enrolled in the animation program at Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario. Upon graduation from Sheridan, he was recruited by Disney and moved to Los Angeles.

Career

Williams previously worked in the story department for Mulan, The Emperor's New Groove and Frozen, in which he also voiced the character Oaken. In February 2007, it was announced he would direct American Dog, which was re-titled Bolt and was later joined by Byron Howard, both of them replaced Chris Sanders who was the original director.
In July 2010, it was reported by various sources that Williams would direct King of the Elves based on the story by Philip K. Dick. However, in 2012, it was revealed that Williams had joined another Walt Disney Animation film, Big Hero 6, as a co-director inspired by the Marvel Comics of the same name.
In November 2018, it was reported that Williams had left Disney and would direct Jacob and the Sea Beast for Netflix.

Filmography