Chris Meledandri

Chris Meledandri (also credited as Christopher Meledandri) is an American film producer born on May 15, 1959, in New York City. Best known for shaping modern mainstream animation, he is the founder and CEO of Illumination, the studio behind some of the most commercially successful family films of the last two decades.

Before launching Illumination, Meledandri served as president of 20th Century Fox Animation, helping steer the company’s animated output during a pivotal era. As a producer, he became closely associated with franchise storytelling and big-audience comedy, with key credits spanning the Ice Age series as well as Illumination hits like Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets, and Sing.

In recent years, Meledandri has expanded his influence beyond film. After collaborating with Nintendo on The Super Mario Bros. Movie, he joined the company’s board of directors in 2021—an appointment that underscored his role in bridging animation and game-driven entertainment. He also maintains creative ties with Illumination’s corporate sibling, DreamWorks Animation.