Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1959-05-15
- Born Place: New York City, New York, USA
Also Known As:
Christopher Meledandri
Chris Meledandri
Born on May 15, 1959, in New York City, Christopher Meledandri is a titan of the animation industry and the founder and CEO of Illumination. The son of a fashion designer and an activist, he grew up with a deep appreciation for cinema, eventually attending Dartmouth College where he transitioned his interests from theater to film. Meledandri began his career as an assistant to producer Daniel Melnick and later served as president of Dawn Steel Pictures at Walt Disney Pictures, where he executive produced the hit film Cool Runnings (1993). His success in family-oriented live action led him to 20th Century Fox, where he eventually became the president of 20th Century Fox Animation. During his tenure there, he spearheaded the acquisition of Blue Sky Studios and oversaw the creation of massive hits like Ice Age (2002), Robots (2005), and Horton Hears a Who! (2008). In 2007, Meledandri left Fox to found Illumination in partnership with Universal Pictures, a move that would redefine modern animation economics through a high-quality but cost-controlled production model. Under his leadership, Illumination launched the Despicable Me franchise, which has become the highest-grossing animated franchise in cinematic history. His filmography as a producer includes global blockbusters such as Minions, The Secret Life of Pets, Sing, and The Grinch. In 2023, his collaboration with Nintendo resulted in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which shattered box office records and led to his appointment as a non-executive director on Nintendo's board. For his contributions to the medium, he has received numerous honors, including the VES Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2025 David O. Selznick Achievement Award from the Producers Guild of America.
