Chris Renaud is a multifaceted American creative professional, exceling in various fields of illustration, filmmaking, and design. His impressive resume boasts a plethora of accomplishments, from his Academy Award-nominated animated short film No Time for Nuts, featuring the beloved character Scrat from the Ice Age franchise, to his directorial debut in the box office smash Despicable Me, starring the renowned comedic talent Steve Carell.
Following his graduation from Syracuse University with a degree in illustration, Renaud began his career as a graphic designer in the sports entertainment industry, creating logo designs and mascot characters for prominent organizations such as NFL Properties, the NBA, and Foot Locker. He subsequently worked as a designer and illustrator for various publications and agencies, honing his skills and building a diverse portfolio.
Renaud's transition into the world of comic books saw him work for both Marvel Comics and DC Comics, illustrating notable projects like Marvel's Starfleet Academy and contributing to the concept that evolved into Batman: Cataclysm, a yearlong tale that garnered increased sales and visibility for the iconic character.
As the production designer on the Disney Channel's The Book of Pooh, Renaud made his mark in children's television, going on to design virtual sets and puppet characters for numerous shows, including Bear in the Big Blue House, Lazy Town, Curious Pictures, Sony Animation, and many more. He took the lead role in the visual development and design of the Emmy-nominated children's program It's a Big Big World, currently airing on PBS.
Renaud's experience in the animation industry includes working as a story artist on films such as Robots, Ice Age: The Meltdown, and Horton Hears A Who!, as well as writing and co-directing the animated short No Time for Nuts, which earned an Annie Award and a 2007 Oscar nomination. The short was also included in the Animation Show of Shows in 2006.
Currently, Renaud is employed by Illumination Entertainment and resides in Paris, France. His directorial debut, Despicable Me, starring Steve Carell, premiered in the United States on July 9, 2010, and debuted at number one at the U.S. box office.
