Lee Unkrich
Biography
Lee Edward Unkrich is an American film director, editor, and writer born on August 8, 1967, in Cleveland, Ohio. He is best known for his work with the animation studio Pixar, which he joined in 1994 as an editor. He was subsequently credited as a co-director on Toy Story 2 in 1999, followed by similar roles on Monsters, Inc. in 2001 and Finding Nemo in 2003. Unkrich made his solo directorial debut with Toy Story 3 in 2010. Both Toy Story 3 and his second directed film, Coco in 2017, won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. After spending 25 years at the company, Unkrich retired in January 2019 to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests.
Career overview
Lee Edward Unkrich is an American film director, editor, and writer born on August 8, 1967, in Cleveland, Ohio. He is best known for his work with the animation studio Pixar, which he joined in 1994 as an editor before moving into co-directing roles. His early credits at the studio include serving as a co-director on Toy Story 2 in 1999, followed by similar roles on Monsters, Inc. in 2001 and Finding Nemo in 2003.
Unkrich later made his solo directorial debut with Toy Story 3 in 2010. Both Toy Story 3 and his second directed film, Coco in 2017, won two Academy Awards, specifically for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. His filmography with Pixar also includes titles recognized internationally, such as Monsters, a. s. and Toy Story 3: Príbeh hračiek.
After spending 25 years at the company, Unkrich retired in January 2019 in order to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests. Throughout his career, he has accumulated numerous known credits in the film industry, establishing a prominent legacy in animated cinema.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
48 titles- Coco 2 (2029) Director
- Hoppers (2026) Executive Producer
- Toy Story: 30 Years and Beyond - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2026) as Self
- A Celebration of the Music from Coco (2020) as Self
- Toy Story 4 (2019) Executive Producer
- Coco (2017) as Additional Voices (voice)
- Coco (2017) Director
- Coco (2017) Editor
- Coco (2017) Original Story
- Dante's Lunch (2017) Director
- Inside Out (2015) Other
- The Good Dinosaur (2015) Executive Producer
- Lava (2015) Thanks
- Toy Story at 20: To Infinity and Beyond (2015) as Self
- Monsters University (2013) Executive Producer
- Toy Story 3 (2010) as Additional Voices (voice)
- Toy Story 3 (2010) Director
- Toy Story 3 (2010) Story
- Groovin' with Ken (2010) Director
- Ken's Dating Tips: #24 Know Yourself, Be Yourself (2010) Director
- Ken's Dating Tips: #31 Play Hard to Get (2010) Director
- Ken's Dating Tips: #48 Communication is Key (2010) Director
- Presto (2008) Thanks
- The Pixar Story (2007) as Self
- Cars (2006) Other
- Cars (2006) Additional Editor
- Finding Nemo (2003) as Additional Voices (voice)
- Finding Nemo (2003) Supervising Film Editor
- Finding Nemo (2003) Co-Director
- Making 'Nemo' (2003) as Self - Co-Director
- Monsters, Inc. (2001) as Additional Voices (voice)
- Monsters, Inc. (2001) Additional Editing
- Monsters, Inc. (2001) Co-Director
- Toy Story 2 (1999) as Additional Voices (voice)
- Toy Story 2 (1999) Editor
- Toy Story 2 (1999) Co-Director
- A Bug's Life (1998) as Additional Voices (voice)
- A Bug's Life (1998) Editor
- Toy Story (1995) Editor
- Making 'Toy Story' (1995) as Self
- Betrayed by Love (1994) Assistant Editor
- Separated by Murder (1994) Editor
- Renegade (1992) Assistant Editor
- Silk Stalkings (1991) Editor
- Silk Stalkings (1991) Director
- Prison Stories: Women on the Inside (1991) Production Assistant
- The George Lucas Talk Show: Live as Self
- Ken's Dating Tips Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Lee Unkrich best known for?
Lee Unkrich is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Coco 2 (2029), Hoppers (2026), Toy Story: 30 Years and Beyond - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2026), Toy Story 4 (2019).
When and where was Lee Unkrich born?
Lee Unkrich was born on August 8, 1967 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
How many credits does Lee Unkrich have?
Lee Unkrich has accumulated over 48 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1991 to 2029.
What is Lee Unkrich's background in cinema and television?
Lee Edward Unkrich is an American film director, editor, and writer born on August 8, 1967, in Cleveland, Ohio. He is best known for his work with the animation studio Pixar, which he joined in 1994 as an editor. He was subsequently credited as a co-director on Toy Story 2 in 1999, followed by similar roles on Monsters...