Gary Trousdale, better known as Gary Trousdale, is a renowned American film director, animator, screenwriter, and storyboard artist.
He is best known for co-directing some of Disney’s most celebrated animated films, including Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Atlantis: The Lost Empire. He has also directed several animated television specials and shorts for DreamWorks Animation.
| Gary Trousdale | |
|---|---|
| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | Gary Allen Trousdale |
| Stage Name: | Gary Trousdale |
| Born: | June 8, 1960 (age 66 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | La Crescenta, California, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | American |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Parents: | Mr. and Mrs. Trousdale |
| Occupation: | Film Director, Animator, Screenwriter, Storyboard Artist |
| Net Worth: | $5 million |
Early life and education
Gary Trousdale was born on June 8, 1960, in La Crescenta, California, United States. He was born to Mr. and Mrs. Trousdale. His ethnicity is American. He grew up in La Crescenta and developed a fascination with drawing cartoons from elementary school. Trousdale originally planned to become an architect, but his interest eventually shifted toward animation.
He studied animation at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where he spent three years developing his skills. After leaving CalArts, he began working professionally in animation in 1982, initially designing storyboards and working on various animated productions. He later worked on restaurant menus and T-shirt designs before joining Disney. In 1985, he was hired by Walt Disney Productions to work on The Black Cauldron, beginning a long association with the studio.
Career
Gary Trousdale began his professional animation career in 1982, working on storyboards and other animation projects before joining Walt Disney Feature Animation. His early Disney credits included The Black Cauldron, Oliver & Company, The Little Mermaid, The Rescuers Down Under, and The Prince and the Pauper.
His major breakthrough came when he was selected to co-direct Beauty and the Beast with Kirk Wise. Released in 1991, the film became a landmark achievement for Disney animation and was the first animated feature to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
Trousdale and Wise later reunited to direct The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1996 and Atlantis: The Lost Empire in 2001. Trousdale also contributed story work to major Disney productions including Aladdin and The Lion King.
In 2003, he moved to DreamWorks Animation, where he worked on projects including Madagascar and Flushed Away. He subsequently directed The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper, Shrek the Halls, Scared Shrekless, Shrek’s Thrilling Tales, The Pig Who Cried Werewolf, and other animated productions. His career has made him one of the notable directors associated with the development of modern American animated cinema.
Awards and nominations
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award — Best Animation, Beauty and the Beast, winner, 1991, shared with Kirk Wise.
- National Board of Review — Special Award for Animation, Beauty and the Beast, winner, 1991.
- Annie Award — Best Animated Feature, Beauty and the Beast, winner, 1992.
- Annie Award — Best Directing, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, nomination, 1997, shared with Kirk Wise.
- Hugo Award — Best Dramatic Presentation, Beauty and the Beast, nomination, 1992.
- Annie Award — Outstanding Achievement for Directing in an Animated Television Production, Shrek the Halls, nomination, 2008.
- Annie Award — Outstanding Achievement for Directing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production, Scared Shrekless, nomination, 2011.
Personal life
Gary Trousdale, 66 years old, has kept details about his romantic relationships and family life largely away from the public. Details about his current relationship are unknown, and no reliable public information about his spouse or children has been found.
He has continued to devote much of his life to animation, filmmaking, storytelling, and visual design. He is particularly associated with hand-drawn animation and has continued participating in animation events, interviews, retrospectives, and discussions about his work on Disney and DreamWorks productions. His height is unknown.
Net worth
Gary Trousdale has a net worth of $5 million USD. His income comes mainly from film directing, animation, screenwriting, storyboard work, and other animation-related projects. His career includes directing Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Atlantis: The Lost Empire, as well as animated specials such as Shrek the Halls and Scared Shrekless.
Filmography
- Beauty and the Beast (1991) — Director
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) — Director
- Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) — Director
- The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper (2005) — Director
- Shrek the Halls (2007) — Director
- Scared Shrekless (2010) — Director
- The Pig Who Cried Werewolf (2011) — Director
- Rocky and Bullwinkle (2014) — Director
- Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (2022) — Director of animated segments