Christopher Meledandri (/mɛləˈdɑːndri/;[1] born May 15, 1959) is an American film producer and founder He has served as the head of animation at Spotlight Animation Studios since 2025. Previously, he acted as the chief creative officer of Illumination, DreamWorks Animation, and Nintendo.
Early life[]
Meledandri was born in New York City to Roland Meledandri, a men's fashion designer, and Risha Meledandri, an activist, growing up in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.[2] His father was of Italian descent,[3] and attended Dartmouth College.[4]
Career[]
Early career[]
Meledandri's first job in the film industry came when he worked as an assistant to executive producer Daniel Melnick on the set of Footloose.[2] He co-founded the production company The Meledandri/Gordon Company (with Mark Gordon) until he left in 1991. Meledandri afterwards was the producer for a series of small films, before working as a producer for the 1993 Disney film Cool Runnings, which was a financial success.[2][5] Soon after Meledandri was hired by 20th Century Fox, where executives presumed that the success of Cool Runnings showcased Meledandri's ability to produce financially successful family films.[5] After a series of collaborations with filmmaker John Hughes, Meledandri was placed in charge of 20th Century Fox Animation.[5] One of the first films released under Meledandri's tutelage was the Don Bluth-directed animated science fiction film Titan A.E. (2000), a costly box office bomb whose failure almost caused him to be fired, and which caused Fox Animation Studios to be shut down.[5]
1998–2007: Blue Sky Studios[]
In 1998, Meledandri led Fox's acquisition of fledgling visual effects house Blue Sky Studios, which became a commercially successful production studio. He oversaw the creative and business operations of Blue Sky, which became wholly owned by Fox.[6][7] While at the studio, Meledandri supervised and/or executive produced films including Ice Age (2002), Robots (2005), Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006) and Horton Hears a Who! (2008). He also produced two animated shorts, Gone Nutty (2002) and No Time for Nuts (2006); both were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
2007–2025: Illumination[]
Meledandri left as President of 20th Century Fox Animation in early 2007, being replaced by Vanessa Morrison, and founded Illumination, an animation company that was co-owned by Universal Pictures, which fully financed and owned the films.[8] Fox had attempted to retain Meledandri, but it was reported by the Los Angeles Times that Universal's offer of an ownership stake in Illumination had persuaded him to switch.[6] Meledandri received a share of Illumination's box office earnings as part of his contract with Universal, and as of 2011, he also owned an undisclosed stake in the production company.[2] In 2010, Illumination released its first film, Despicable Me, which became successful. Meledandri built a good relationship with chairman of NBCUniversal Stephen Burke, who liked Meledandri's propensity for producing animated films on a relatively low budget.[2] Illumination released a film version of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, which continued the successful collaboration between Meledandri and the Dr. Seuss estate.[4] He also produced all of Despicable Me's various sequels and spin-offs.
Leave of absence and later departure[]
In April 2025, however, it was announced that he would leave both DreamWorks and Illumination by the end of the year, although he would take a consulting role until then.
2016–2026: DreamWorks Animation and Nintendo[]
On April 28, 2016, NBCUniversal announced its intent to acquire competing studio DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 billion. It was announced that Meledandri would oversee both Illumination and DreamWorks following the completion of the merger.[9] However, it was later announced that Meledandri had declined to oversee DreamWorks, and would instead be a consultant at the studio. On November 6, 2018, it was announced that Meledandri would be collaborating with Universal and DreamWorks to revive the Shrek franchise.[10][11][12] Meledandri intends, however, to retain the original voice actors, as he believes they were perhaps the most memorable parts of the series. The first film in this collaboration, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, in which Meledandri served as executive producer, was released in December 2022 to universal critical acclaim and commercial success.[13]
In January 2018, Nintendo announced during a fiscal meeting that Illumination would be developing an animated Mario film and that Meledandri will co-produce the film with Super Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto. On July 5, 2021, it was reported that Meledandri would join Nintendo's board of directors "as an independent and non-executive outside director" to advise Nintendo as the company develops more films under Nintendo Pictures.[14]
Spotlight Animation Studios (2025–presents)[]
Meledandri left as President of Illumination in early 2025, being replaced by Brett Hoffman and Bill Ryan, and founded Spotlight Animation Studios, an animation company that was co-owned by 20th Century Studios, which fully financed and owned the films.
Personal life[]
Meledandri is a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and is a member of the board of trustees at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut.
Meledandri was married to Leslie Benziger from 2002 to 2016.[15] He has two sons, born in 1990 and 1998.[16]
Filmography[]
Films[]
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Quicksilver | Associate producer |
| 1989 | Brothers in Arms | Producer |
| 1990 | Opportunity Knocks | |
| 1993 | Fly by Night | Executive producer |
| Swing Kids | ||
| Cool Runnings | ||
|
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit|| Co-executive producer | ||
| 1994 | Trial by Jury | Producer |
| 2002 | Ice Age | Executive producer |
| 2005 | Robots | |
| 2006 | Ice Age: The Meltdown | |
| No Time for Nuts | ||
| 2008 | Horton Hears a Who![6] | |
| 2010 | Despicable Me | Producer |
| 2011 | Hop | |
| 2012 | ||
| 2013 | Despicable Me 2 | |
| 2015 | Minions[17] | |
| 2016 | The Secret Life of Pets[18] | |
| Sing | ||
| 2017 | Despicable Me 3[19] | |
| 2018 | The Grinch[20] | |
| 2019 | The Secret Life of Pets 2[21] | |
| 2021 | Sing 2 | |
| 2022 | Minions: The Rise of Gru | |
| Puss in Boots: The Last Wish | Executive producer[22] | |
| 2023 | The Super Mario Bros. Movie[23] | Producer |
| Migration | ||
| 2024 | Despicable Me 4
| |
| 2026 | The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 | |
| Toyland | ||
| Shrek 5 | Producer / story[24]
|
References[]
- ↑ Template:Cite video
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 For Illumination Entertainment, Animation Meets Economic Reality (April 3, 2011). Retrieved on February 28, 2022.
- ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (June 20, 2022). Illumination's Chris Meledandri Talks 'Minions', Streaming Vs Theatrical, Chris Pratt For 'Super Mario' & Facing Fear Of Failure: CineEurope. “"I'm not sure this is the smartest defense, but as a person who has Italian-American heritage, I feel I can make that decision without worrying about offending Italians or Italian-Americans"”
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Archibald, Sophia (May 10, 2011). In nod to other famous alum., Meledandri produces 'Lorax'. The Dartmouth.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Chris Meledandri, the man who has made millions from Minions (January 6, 2014). Retrieved on March 8, 2022.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Head of Fox animation division signs with rival Universal Studios (January 19, 2007). Retrieved on April 21, 2022.
- ↑ Universal Pictures Lures Chris Meledandri From 20th Century Fox Animation (January 18, 2007). Retrieved on April 21, 2022.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Kilday, Gregg (December 9, 2016). "Illumination's Chris Meledandri Talks Success Secrets, Rumors He'll Head DreamWorks". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ↑ Comcast's NBCUniversal buys DreamWorks Animation in $3.8-billion deal (April 28, 2016).
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Lang, Brett (November 6, 2018). "'Shrek,' 'Puss in Boots' Getting Rebooted (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Lang, Brent (November 6, 2018). "How Chris Meledandri Became the Most Powerful Man in Animation". Variety. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- ↑ In Dismal Summer, 'Despicable Me 3' Producer Delivers $1 Billion (September 12, 2017).
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 25, 2022). "Puss In Boots Takes Over 'Super Mario' Christmas 2022 Release Date". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ↑ Q&A Summary Template:Webarchive
- ↑ LESLIE BENZIGER VS CHRISTOPHER MELEDANDRI.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.S. Cohen, David (October 26, 2013). "Chris Meledandri: Event Films Are Cannibalizing Each Other". Variety. Archived from the original on October 28, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
- ↑ Mike Fleming (July 23, 2012). Illumination And Universal Hatch 'Despicable Me' Spinoff About The Minions.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 24, 2014). "Chris Meledandri's Illumination Sets Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet And Kevin Hart For 3D Animated 'Pets' Pic At Universal". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 27, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Bond, Paul (September 11, 2013). "Steve Burke: NBC's Ratings Woes Hurting Revenues". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
A third film is in the works, as is a Christmastime spinoff about the Minions.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Kroll, Justin (October 8, 2013). "Universal, Illumination to reboot 'The Grinch'". Variety. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Mandell, Andrea (August 2, 2016). "Get Ready for 'Secret Life of Pets 2'". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- ↑ 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish' Trailer Recounts the Nine Lives of the Leche Whisperer (March 15, 2022). Retrieved on March 19, 2022.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Nintendo of America [@NintendoAmerica] (January 31, 2018). "Nintendo and Illumination are partnering on a movie starring Mario, co-produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Chris Meledandri!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 25, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ↑ Pierce-Bohen, Kayleena (March 2, 2024). Shrek 5: Confirmation, Cast & Everything We Know. Retrieved on June 24, 2024.
External links[]
Template:Commons
v - e - d | ||
|---|---|---|
| Feature films | Computer animated | Despicable Me (2010) • The Lorax (2012) • Despicable Me 2 (2013) • Minions (2015) • The Secret Life of Pets (2016) • Sing (2016) • Despicable Me 3 (2017) • The Grinch (2018) • The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019) • Sing 2 (2021) • Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) • The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) • Q-Force (2023) • Migration (2023) |
| Live-action/computer animated | Hop (2011) | |
| Franchises | Despicable Me • The Secret Life of Pets • Sing | |
| People | Chris Meledandri | |
| See also | Despicable Me Minion Mayhem • Lego Minions: The Rise of Gru • Mac Guff • Illumination Studios Paris • DreamWorks Animation • Universal Animation Studios • Amblimation • List of Universal Pictures theatrical animated feature films (unproduced projects) | |
v - e - d | ||
|---|---|---|
| A subsidiary of NBCUniversal, a Comcast company | ||
| Feature films | Antz (1998) • Shrek (2001) • Shrek 2 (2004) • Shark Tale (2004) • Madagascar (2005) • Over the Hedge (2006) • Shrek the Third (2007) • Bee Movie (2007) • Kung Fu Panda (2008) • Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) • Monsters vs. Aliens (2009) • How to Train Your Dragon (2010) • Shrek Forever After (2010) • Megamind (2010) • Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011) • Puss in Boots (2011) • Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012) • Rise of the Guardians (2012) • The Croods (2013) • Turbo (2013) • Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014) • How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) • Penguins of Madagascar (2014) • Home (2015) • Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) • Trolls (2016) • The Boss Baby (2017) • Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017) • How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) • Abominable (2019) • Trolls World Tour (2020) | |
| Traditionally-animated films | The Prince of Egypt (1998) • The Road to El Dorado (2000) • Joseph: King of Dreams (2000 direct-to-video) • Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) • Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003) | |
| Produced with Aardman | Chicken Run (2000) • Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) • Flushed Away (2006) | |
| Produced with Movie Land Animation Studios | Funimals (2018) • The Hampster Movie (2019) • The Legend of Disguise (2020) | |
| Upcoming films | Jin (2020) • The Croods 2 (2020) | |
| Franchises | Shrek • Madagascar • Kung Fu Panda • Monsters vs. Aliens • How to Train Your Dragon • Tales of Arcadia | |
| Television specials | Shrek the Halls (2007) • Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space (2009) • Merry Madagascar (2009) • Scared Shrekless (2010) • Kung Fu Panda Holiday (2010) • Madly Madagascar (2013) • Trolls Holiday (2017) | |
| Short films | Shrek 4-D (2003) • Far Far Away Idol (2004) • The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper (2005) • First Flight (2006) • Hammy's Boomerang Adventure (2006) • Secrets of the Furious Five (2008) • B.O.B.'s Big Break (2009) • Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon (2010) • Megamind: The Button of Doom (2011) • Night of the Living Carrots (2011) • Gift of the Night Fury (2011) • Book of Dragons (2011) • Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters (2011) • Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos (2012) • Rocky and Bullwinkle (2014) • Dawn of the Dragon Racers (2014) • Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll (2016) • DreamWorks Theatre (2018) • Bird Karma (2018) • Bilby (2018) | |
| People | Bill Damaschke • Chris Meledandri • Jeffrey Katzenberg | |
| Subsidiaries | DreamWorks Channel • DreamWorks Classics (Big Idea Entertainment • Harvey Entertainment • Jay Ward Productions) | |
| Related topics | Amblimation • DreamWorks Pictures (DreamWorks Records • DreamWorks Television • DreamWorks Interactive • Go Fish Pictures) • Illumination (Illumination Mac Guff) • In amusement parks (DreamWorks Experience) • Pacific Data Images • Pearl Studio • Universal Animation Studios (Unproduced projects) • List of productions (Other programs • Unproduced projects) | |
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