View source for Chris Williams (director)

{{Short description|American-Canadian animator, film director and screenwriter}}
{{Other people|Chris Williams}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = Chris Williams
| image         = Chris Williams 2022.jpg
| imagesize     =
| caption       = Williams in 2022
| birthname     =
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1968|12|19}}
| birth_place   = [[Missouri]], U.S.<ref name=StarCanadian>{{cite news|last=Knelman|first=Martin|title=Bolt from blue took Canadian to Oscars|url=https://www.thestar.com/sponsored_sections/2009/02/25/bolt_from_blue_took_canadian_to_oscars.html|access-date=December 24, 2013|newspaper=The Star|date=February 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225040232/http://www.thestar.com/sponsored_sections/2009/02/25/bolt_from_blue_took_canadian_to_oscars.html|archive-date=December 25, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
| death_date    =
| death_place   =
| years_active  = 1996–present
| spouse        =
| occupation    = Animator, film director, screenwriter, voice actor
| employer      = [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]] (1998–2018)<br />[[Netflix]] (2018–present)
| notable_works = ''[[Glago's Guest]]''<br />''[[Bolt (2008 film)|Bolt]]''<br />''[[Big Hero 6 (film)|Big Hero 6]]''<br />''[[Moana (2016 film)|Moana]]''<br />''[[The Sea Beast (2022 film)|The Sea Beast]]''
| alma_mater    = [[University of Waterloo]]<br />[[Sheridan College]]
| homepage      =
}}

'''Chris Williams''' (born December 19, 1968) is an American-Canadian animation film director, screenwriter and voice actor who is best known for directing the films ''[[Bolt (2008 film)|Bolt]]'' (2008) and ''[[Big Hero 6 (film)|Big Hero 6]]'' (2014) and co-directing the film ''[[Moana (2016 film)|Moana]]'' (2016) for [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]], and for directing the film ''[[The Sea Beast (2022 film)|The Sea Beast]]'' (2022) for [[Netflix Animation]].

==Early life==
Williams was born on December 19, 1968, in [[Missouri]] and spent the first 25 years of his life in [[Kitchener, Ontario]], Canada, where his father was the director of Counselling Services at the [[University of Waterloo]].<ref name=StarCanadian /> Williams graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in Fine Arts<ref>{{cite web|title=University of Waterloo alumnus wins Oscar for Big Hero 6|url=https://uwaterloo.ca/stories/university-waterloo-alumnus-wins-oscar-big-hero-6|website=Waterloo Stories|date=23 February 2015 |publisher=University of Waterloo|access-date=2015-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223230259/https://uwaterloo.ca/stories/university-waterloo-alumnus-wins-oscar-big-hero-6|archive-date=2015-02-23|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name=StarCanadian />

==Career==
Williams previously worked in the story department for ''[[Mulan (1998 film)|Mulan]]'' (1998), ''[[The Emperor's New Groove]]'' (2000) and ''[[Frozen (2013 film)|Frozen]]'' (2013), in which he also voiced the character Oaken. In February 2007, it was announced he would direct ''American Dog'',<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://variety.com/2007/digital/news/toy-story-sequel-set-1117959040/ | title='Toy Story' sequel set | last=Fritz | first=Ben | magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=February 8, 2007 | access-date=December 9, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226175909/http://variety.com/2007/digital/news/toy-story-sequel-set-1117959040/ | archive-date=December 26, 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> which was re-titled ''[[Bolt (2008 film)|Bolt]]'' (2008) and was later joined by [[Byron Howard]], both of them replaced [[Chris Sanders (director)|Chris Sanders]] who was the original director.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.slashfilm.com/bolt-teaser-poster-a-look-back-at-american-dog/ | title=Bolt Teaser Poster; A Look Back at American Dog | last=Sciretta | first=Peter | publisher=[[/Film]] | date=June 20, 2008 | access-date=December 9, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213225040/http://www.slashfilm.com/bolt-teaser-poster-a-look-back-at-american-dog/ | archive-date=December 13, 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref>

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]].<ref>{{cite web|title=King of the Elves being reworked; Disney plans far ahead|url=http://filmonic.com/king-of-the-elves-being-reworked-disney-plans-far-ahead|access-date=December 24, 2011|newspaper=Filmonic|date=August 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104220744/http://filmonic.com/king-of-the-elves-being-reworked-disney-plans-far-ahead|archive-date=January 4, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | last1=Graser | first1=Marc | last2=Sneider | first2=Jeff | url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/disney-revives-king-of-the-elves-toon-1118039315/ | title=Disney revives 'King of the Elves' toon | magazine=Variety | date=June 29, 2011 | access-date=June 30, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412045450/http://variety.com/2011/film/news/disney-revives-king-of-the-elves-toon-1118039315/ | archive-date=April 12, 2013 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Disney Sets HORRIBLE BOSSES Scribe to Pen KING OF THE ELVES | last=Chitwood | first=Adam | url=http://collider.com/king-of-the-elves-michael-markowitz-disney/ | work=Collider | date=June 29, 2011 | access-date=December 9, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726142242/http://collider.com/king-of-the-elves-michael-markowitz-disney/ | archive-date=July 26, 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref> However, in 2012, it was revealed that Williams had joined another Walt Disney Animation film, ''[[Big Hero 6 (film)|Big Hero 6]]'', as a co-director inspired by the [[Marvel Comics]] of the [[Big Hero 6 (comics)|same name]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Giardina|first=Carolyn|title=Chris Williams To Co-Direct Disney Animation's 'Big Hero 6' With Don Hall|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/chris-williams-direct-disney-animation-668066|access-date=December 31, 2013|newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=December 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102185323/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/chris-williams-direct-disney-animation-668066|archive-date=January 2, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2018, it was reported that Williams had left Disney and he would write and direct ''[[The Sea Beast (2022 film)|The Sea Beast]]'' for [[Netflix]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Lang|first=Brent|title=Netflix Backs 'Jacob and the Sea Beast' From 'Big Hero 6' Director Chris Williams (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/netflix-moana-chris-williams-1203019603/|magazine=Variety|date=November 5, 2018|access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105172101/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/netflix-moana-chris-williams-1203019603/|archive-date=November 5, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Sea Beast'' was released on Netflix on July 8, 2022.

==Filmography==
===Feature films===
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2"|Year
! rowspan="2"|Film
! colspan="7"|Credited as
|-
! [[Film director|Director]]
! [[Screenwriter|Writer]]
! [[Film producer|Producer]]
![[Storyboard artist|Story<br>Artist]]
! Other
! [[Voice acting|Voice]]
! Notes
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Mulan (1998 film)|Mulan]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 
| 
|-
| 2000
| ''[[The Emperor's New Groove]]''
| {{No}}
| {{Yes|Story}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 
| 
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Lilo & Stitch]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 
| 
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Brother Bear]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| 
| Additional Story
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Chicken Little (2005 film)|Chicken Little]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Meet the Robinsons]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes|Additional}}
| {{No}}
|
|
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Bolt (2008 film)|Bolt]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes|Screenplay}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| Additional Voices
| rowspan="6" | Disney Story Trust - uncredited<br><ref>{{cite news|last1=Goldman|first1=Eric|title=How Disney's ''Story Trust'' Helped Change Big Hero 6, Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph and More|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/02/18/how-disneys-story-trust-helped-change-big-hero-6-frozen-wreck-it-ralph-and-more|work=[[IGN]]|date=February 18, 2016|access-date=February 2, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| 2009
| ''[[The Princess and the Frog]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Tangled]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes|Additional}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Winnie the Pooh (2011 film)|Winnie the Pooh]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Wreck-It Ralph]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes|Additional}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Frozen (2013 film)|Frozen]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| [[Oaken (Frozen)|Oaken]]
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Big Hero 6 (film)|Big Hero 6]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| 
| Creative Leadership
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2016
| ''[[Zootopia]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|
| Additional Story, Creative Leadership
|-
| ''[[Moana (2016 film)|Moana]]''
| {{Partial|Co-Director}}
| {{Yes|Story}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|
| rowspan="2" | Creative Leadership
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Ralph Breaks the Internet]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes|Executive}}
| {{Yes|Additional}}
| {{Yes}}
|
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Frozen II]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| Oaken (uncredited)
|
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Raya and the Last Dragon]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|
| Additional Story
|-
| 2022
| ''[[The Sea Beast (2022 film)|The Sea Beast]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|
| [[Netflix]] Original Film
|}

====Shorts and TV====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
![[Film director|Director]]
![[Screenwriter|Writer]]
![[Executive producer|Executive<br>Producer]]
!Other
![[Voice Actor|Voice]]
! Notes
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Glago's Guest]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2009
| ''[[Super Rhino]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|
|-
| ''[[Prep & Landing]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
| TV special
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Frozen Fever]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| rowspan="2" | Oaken
|
|-
| 2016
| ''LEGO Frozen: Northern Lights''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| Episode: "Journey to the Lights"
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| ''Gone Fishing''<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wolfe|first1=Jennifer|title='Moana' Sails Home on Digital HD February 21 and Blu-ray March 7|url=http://www.awn.com/news/moana-sails-home-digital-hd-february-21-and-blu-ray-march-7|publisher=Animation World Network|access-date=December 12, 2020|date=January 13, 2017}}</ref>
| {{Partial|Co-Director}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|
|
|-
| ''[[Olaf's Frozen Adventure]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| rowspan="2" | Oaken
| Featurette
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Once Upon a Snowman]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| [[Disney+]] Original Short Film
|}

==== Other credits ====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Paperman]]''
| rowspan="2" | Special Thanks
|-
| 2020
| ''[[The Willoughbys]]''
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Strange World (film)|Strange World]]''
| Very Special Thanks
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Nimona (film)|Nimona]]''
| Special Thanks
|}

==See also==
* [[List of University of Waterloo people]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0930261|Chris Williams}}
{{Chris Williams}}
{{Academy Award for Best Animated Feature}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Chris}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American animated film directors]]
[[Category:American expatriates in Canada]]
[[Category:Film directors from Missouri]]
[[Category:American male screenwriters]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:Animation screenwriters]]
[[Category:Animators from Missouri]]
[[Category:Annie Award winners]]
[[Category:Directors of Best Animated Feature Academy Award winners]]
[[Category:Male actors from Missouri]]
[[Category:People from Kitchener, Ontario]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Sheridan College animation program alumni]]
[[Category:University of Waterloo alumni]]
[[Category:Walt Disney Animation Studios people]]
[[Category:Netflix people]]
[[Category:Writers from Ontario]]