Joe Ranft

Joe Ranft
Background information
Born	Joseph Henry Ranft March 13, 1960 Pasadena, California, United States
Died	August 16, 2005 (aged 45) Mendocino County, California, United States
Cause of death	Car crash
Nationality	American
Occupation	Screenwriter, animator, storyboard artist, director, comedian, voice actor, magician
Years active	1980-2005
Family information
Spouse	Sue Barry (1985-2005; his death)
Children	Jordan and Sophia

Joseph Henry "Joe" Ranft was an American animator, storyboard artist, director, comedian, voice actor, and magician, who worked for Pixar and Disney. His brother, Jerome Ranft is a sculptor who also worked on several Pixar movies, and is also a voice actor.

Early life

Born in Pasadena, California and raised in Whittier, California, Ranft spent much of his youth practicing magic tricks and playing the accordion. At 15, he became a member of the Magic Castle Junior Group. Finishing high school in fall 1978, Joe Ranft began studying in the character animation program at the California Institute of the Arts. After two years, Joe Ranft's student film Good Humor caught the attention of Disney animation executives who offered him a job.

Career

His first five years at Disney, Joe Ranft worked on a number of television projects that never got made. Furthering into his Disney career, he was bumped up into the Feature Animation department, where he received training from Eric Larson. Joe Ranft remembers his training under the Disney Legend as, "[Eric] always reminds me of just the fundamental things that I tend to forget. You know it like, animation is so complex; 'how many drawings are in there?’ and stuff, but Eric always comes back to like; ‘What does the audience perceive?'" Around this time, he studied under and began performing with the improvisational group, The Groundlings. He stayed with Disney throughout the 1980s, doing story work on animated features including The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast.

Joe Ranft reunited with John Lasseter, whom he had previously met at California Institute of the Arts during the late 70's, when he joined Pixar in 1992. He worked on story development for all of Pixar's feature film releases, most recently as Head of Story on Cars.

In the movie Monsters, Inc., Ranft had a monster named after him (J.J. Ranft) as most of the Scarers in the film were named for Pixar staff.

In the DVD of Cars, Ranft can be seen in an interview about the movie. His favorite writers were Kurt Vonnegut, Hunter S. Thompson, and Tom Wolfe.

Death

On August 16, 2005, Ranft and his friend Eric Frierson were passengers in Ranft's 2004 Honda Element, which was being driven by another friend, Elegba Earl. Earl suddenly lost control and crashed through the guard rail while northbound on Highway 1. The car plunged 130 feet into the mouth of the Navarro River in Mendocino County, California. Both Ranft and Earl were killed instantly. Frierson survived by escaping through the sun roof, though he received moderate injuries. Ranft was 45 years old at that time. He was survived by his wife, Sue Barry-Ranft and their two children, Jordy and Sophia, and his brother Jerome. His last two films Cars and Tim Burton's Corpse Bride were both dedicated to his memory.

Filmography

• The Brave Little Toaster (1987 - voice of Elmo St. Peters, Screenplay and Story, directing animator)
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988 - story artist)
• Oliver & Company (1988 - Story)
• The Little Mermaid (1989 - Storysketch Artist: animation)
• The Rescuers Down Under (1990 - Animation Screenplay, Story Supervisor)
• Beauty and the Beast (1991 - Story and provided several cartoon screams)
• The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993 - Storyboard Supervisor)
• The Lion King (1994 - Story)
• Toy Story (1995 - voice of Lenny the Binoculars, Story, Story/Supervisor)
• James and the Giant Peach (1996 - Storyboard Supervisor)
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996 - Storyboard Artist)
• A Bug's Life (1998 - voice of Heimlich, Story, Story/Supervisor)
• Toy Story 2 (1999 - voice of Wheezy, Additional Story Material)
• Fantasia 2000 (1999 - Additional Art: story)
• The Emperor's New Groove (2000 - Special Thanks)
• Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins (2000 - voice of Wheezy)
• Monsters, Inc. (2001 - voice of Pete "Claws" Ward, Story Artist)
• Finding Nemo (2003 - voice of Jacques the Shrimp)
• The Incredibles (2004 - Additional Voices)
• Cars (2006 - Co-Director, voice of Red and Peterbilt (his final roles), Screenplay, Dedication)
• Mater and the Ghostlight (2006 - Story)

Roles

Elmo St. Peters
(The Brave Little Toaster)

Igor
(The Nightmare Before Christmas)

Lenny the Binoculars
(Toy Story)

Heimlich
(A Bug's Life)

Wheezy
(Toy Story 2)

Pete "Claws" Ward
(Monsters, Inc.)

Jacques
(Finding Nemo)

Red
(Cars)

Peterbilt
(Cars)

Gallery

Joe Ranft behind the scenes of The Brave Little Toaster.

Joe Ranft posting storyboards for The Rescuers Down Under.

Joe Ranft in front of his storyboards for The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Joe Ranft doing a storyboard pitch for Toy Story.

Joe Ranft behind the scenes of A Bug's Life.

Joe Ranft doing a storyboard pitch for A Bug's Life with Andrew Stanton and Bob Peterson.

Joe Ranft doing a storyboard pitch for Toy Story 2.

Joe Ranft with his brother and Pixar sculptor, Jerome Ranft.

Joe Ranft with fellow storyboard artist Dan Jeup.

Joe Ranft behind the scenes of Finding Nemo.

Ranft with his kids, Jordy and Sophia, at A Bug's Land at Disney California Adventures in March 2003.

Joe Ranft poses in front of the Heimlich's Chew Chew Train ride at Disney's California Adventure.

Ranft and his wife, Sue at premiere of The Incredibles in October 2004.

Ranft with late legendary Disney storyman Joe Grant.

Ranft talks to John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, and Pete Docter about the legacy of Toy Story at Pixar in February 2005, just a few months before Joe's fatal car accident.

Trivia

• Joe's son, Jordy Ranft voices one of the ant boys in A Bug's Life and Tad the butterfly fish in Finding Nemo.
• Joe's daughter, Sophia voices the character of Baby Smitty in Monsters, Inc.

External links

• Template:Imdb name
• Pixar Artist's Corner with Joe
• Michael Sragow (Nov. 23, 1999) "Toy" Story Man. Salon.
• Peter Hartlaub (Sep. 17, 2003) The secret of Pixar's magic can be found at CalArts.... San Francisco Chronicle.
• Hollywood Reporter Obituary
• Remembrance by Ronnie del Carmen
• Obituary by the former President of the Northern California Disneyana Enthusiasts club, citing comments made at Joe Ranft's memorial
• Disney Legends profile
• Remembrance by James S. Baker
• VIdeo of Joe doing magic

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1920s—1970s Disney's Nine Old Men: Milt Kahl • Frank Thomas • Ollie Johnston • Les Clark • John Lounsbery • Marc Davis • Ward Kimball • Eric Larson • Wolfgang Reitherman Animators: Bill Tytla • Art Babbitt • Lee Blair • Preston Blair • Fred Moore • Shamus Culhane • Cy Young • Don Lusk • Norman Ferguson • Hal King • Jack Hannah • Dick Kinney • Hal Ambro • Ken O'Brien • Judge Whitaker • Bill Justice • Don Bluth • Gary Goldman • Charles A. Nichols • Blaine Gibson • John Ewing • Walt Stanchfield • Rolly Crump • Fred Hellmich • Amby Paliwoda • Wilfred Jackson • Xavier Atencio • Ben Sharpsteen • Earl Hurd • Dale Oliver • Eric Cleworth • David Hand • Fred Spencer • Julius Svendsen • Jack Bradbury • Kenneth Muse • Rudolf Ising • Hugh Harman • Friz Freleng • Walt Kelly • Leo Salkin • John Dehner • Retta Scott • David Swift • Mel Shaw • Jack Cutting • Grant Simmons • Art Stevens • Frank Tashlin • Wathel Rogers • Tyrus Wong • Johnny Cannon • Bernard Wolf Visual Development, Layout, Background Artists and Character Designers: Gustaf Tenggren • Mary Blair • Marjorie Ralston • Lillian Bounds • Joe Grant • Mel Shaw • Claude Coats • Don DaGradi • John Hench • Eyvind Earle • Ken O'Connor • Thor Putnam • Albert Hurter • John Hubley • Herbert Ryman • Don Griffith • Basil Davidovich • Jack Boyd • Peter Ellenshaw • Ruthie Tompson • Earl Duvall • Retta Davidson • Ub Iwerks • Vance Gerry • Hazel Sewell • James Bodrero • Lance Nolley • Grace Bailey • Maurice Noble • Dale Barnhart • Andy Engman • Eustace Lycett • John Emerson • Joe Hale • Leota Toombs Storyboard Artists and Writers: Bill Peet • Ralph Wright • Dick Huemer • Floyd Norman • Yale Gracey • Ted Sears • Erdman Penner • Joe Rinaldi • Winston Hibler • Otto Englander • William Cottrell • Bill Berg • Al Bertino • T. Hee • Homer Brightman • Ted Osbourne • Larry Clemmons • Harry Reeves • Jesse Marsh • Chuck Couch • Webb Smith • Dick Sebast Directors: Clyde Geronimi • Hamilton Luske • Jack Kinney • Ted Berman • Richard Rich • George Scribner • Riley Thomson • Dick Lundy • Jack King • Burt Gillett • James Algar • Bill Roberts • Larry Lansburgh • Richard Irvine Producers: Walt Disney • Ron Miller • Ken Anderson • Don Duckwall • Perce Pearce • Margaret J. Winkler 1980s—present Renaissance Directors: Rob Minkoff • Roger Allers • Gary Trousdale • Kirk Wise • Chris Sanders • Mark Dindal • John Musker Story Trust Directors: Ron Clements • Chris Buck • Byron Howard • Don Hall • Chris Williams • Rich Moore • Stephen J. Anderson • Nathan Greno • Fawn Veerasunthorn Producers: Peter Del Vecho • Clark Spencer • Roy Conli • Dorothy McKim • Don Hahn • Shane Morris Chief Creative Officer: Jennifer Lee Associated Figures: Bob Iger • Roy Edward Disney • Michael Eisner • John Lasseter • Ed Catmull • Jeffrey Katzenberg • Bob Chapek Signature Voice Actors: Jim Cummings • Alan Tudyk • Katie Lowes • John DiMaggio • Maurice LaMarche • Jodi Benson • David Ogden Stiers • Jesse Corti • Paul Briggs • Raymond S. Persi • Phil Johnston • Frank Welker • Bill Farmer • Brian Cummings Signature Musicians: Robert B. Sherman • Richard M. Sherman • Alan Menken • Kristen Anderson-Lopez • Robert Lopez • Lin-Manuel Miranda • Howard Ashman • Tim Rice • Phil Collins • Stephen Schwartz • Marc Shaiman • Danny Troob Supervising Animators: Glen Keane • Andreas Deja • Eric Goldberg • Mark Henn • John Pomeroy • Randy Haycock • Dale Baer • Tony Bancroft • Tom Bancroft • Tony Fucile • Anthony DeRosa • Russ Edmonds • Randy Haycock • Bruce W. Smith • Duncan Marjoribanks • Ruben Aquino • Nik Ranieri • Ron Husband • Rick Farmiloe • Tom Sito • Tony Anselmo • Will Finn • Kathy Zielinski Visual Development & Storyboard Artists: Dean DeBlois • Claire Keane • Brittney Lee • Jin Kim • Shiyoon Kim • Ryan Green

v - e - d

In The Past Glenn McQueen • Daniel Gerson • John Kahrs • Joe Ranft • Justin Wright • Dan Lee • Lee Unkrich • John Lasseter • Rob Gibbs Brain Trust Directors Andrew Stanton • Brad Bird Directors Angus MacLane • Peter Sohn • Sanjay Patel • Dan Scanlon • Ronnie del Carmen • Mark Andrews • Brenda Chapman • Steve Purcell • Brian Fee • Enrico Casarosa • Domee Shi Producers Jonas Rivera • Kori Rae • Katherine Sarafian Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter Associated Figures Bob Iger • Ed Catmull • Steve Jobs • George Lucas • Bob Chapek Signature Voice Actors John Ratzenberger • Bob Peterson • Bonnie Hunt • Josh Cooley • Jerome Ranft • Frank Welker • Bill Farmer • Jeff Pidgeon Signature Musicians Randy Newman • Michael Giacchino • Thomas Newman • Mychael Danna • Jeff Danna • Chris Stapleton • Trent Reznor • Atticus Ross