Chris Meledandri

**Christopher Meledandri** (Template:IPAc-en;Template:Fix born May 15, 1959) is an American film producer and the founder, CEO and owner of Illumination. He is best known as the producer of the *Despicable Me* franchise.

## Works

### Walt Disney Pictures

Before joining Fox, was president of Dawn Steel Pictures at Walt Disney Pictures, where he served as an executive producer of *Cool Runnings*. Pixar

### 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 Studios, 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: The Meltdown*, *Robots*, *Alvin and the Chipmunks*, and *Dr. Seuss Horton Hears a Who!* 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. Blue Sky Studios

### Illumination

Meledandri left as President of 20th Century Fox Animation in early 2007 and founded Illumination Entertainment, an all-audience film production company, co-owned by Universal Pictures, which fully finances and owns the films. In 2010 Illumination released its first film, *Despicable Me*, (which became very successful and was followed by *Despicable Me 2* in 2013 and by *Despicable Me 3* in 2017), and in 2011 *Hop*. Illumination released a film version of Dr. Seuss' *The Lorax*, which continued the successful collaboration between Meledandri and Theodor (Dr. Seuss) Geisel's widow, Audrey. He also produced the franchise spin-off featuring the Minions, *Minions* (2015).

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. Sony Pictures Animation

### DreamWorks Animation

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. However, it was later announced that Meledandri had declined to oversee DreamWorks, and will instead be a consultant at the studio. On November 6, 2018, it was announced that Meledandri will be helping Illumination and DreamWorks to reboot the *Shrek* and *Puss in Boots* franchises. He intends, however, to retain the original voice actors, as he pointed out they were perhaps the most memorable parts of the series.

## 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 College and is a member of the board of trustees at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut. He has two sons, born c. 1990 and 1999.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0577560/
2. ↑ "Illumination's Chris Meledandri Talks Success Secrets, Rumors He'll Head DreamWorks", *The Hollywood Reporter* (December 9, 2016). Retrieved on January 22, 2017.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Archibald, Sophia (2011-05-10). "In nod to other famous alum., Meledandri produces ‘Lorax’". The Dartmouth. http://thedartmouth.com/2011/05/10/arts/meledandri. Retrieved 2011-06-26.
4. ↑ "Comcast's NBCUniversal buys DreamWorks Animation in $3.8-billion deal". https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-nbcuniversal-buys-dreamworks--20160428-story.html. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
5. ↑ Palmeri, Christopher; Sakoui, Anousha (September 12, 2017). "In Dismal Summer, ‘Despicable Me 3’ Producer Delivers $1 Billion". https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-12/in-dismal-summer-despicable-me-3-producer-delivers-1-billion. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
6. ↑ S. Cohen, David (October 26, 2013). "Chris Meledandri: Event Films Are Cannibalizing Each Othe". Retrieved on October 27, 2013.
7. ↑ Mike Fleming (2012-07-23). "Illumination And Universal Hatch ‘Despicable Me’ Spinoff About The Minions". https://www.deadline.com/2012/07/despicable-me-spinoff-minions-illumination-entertainment-universal/#. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
8. ↑ Fleming Jr, Mike (January 24, 2014). "Chris Meledandri’s Illumination Sets Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet And Kevin Hart For 3D Animated ‘Pets’ Pic At Universal". Retrieved on January 25, 2014.
9. ↑ Bond, Paul (September 11, 2013). "Steve Burke: NBC's Ratings Woes Hurting Revenues". Retrieved on September 12, 2013. "A third film is in the works, as is a Christmastime spinoff about the Minions."
10. ↑ Kroll, Justin (October 8, 2013). "Universal, Illumination to reboot 'The Grinch'". Retrieved on February 7, 2013.
11. ↑ Mandell, Andrea (August 2, 2016). "Get Ready for 'Secret Life of Pets 2'". Retrieved on August 3, 2016.
12. ↑ Template:Cite tweet

## External links

* Template:IMDb name

Template:Illumination Entertainment
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