Lee Unkrich

Early life and career

Unkrich was raised in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, the only child of Emilie Unkrich and Robert Unkrich. His father was a World War II veteran and artist. Unkrich was raised in the Jewish faith. He spent his youth acting at The Cleveland Play House. Unkrich graduated from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts in 1990.

Unkrich was Vice-President of Editorial and Layout at Pixar. Before joining the studio, Unkrich worked for several years in television as an editor and director. In 1994 he was hired by Pixar as a short-term employee for a period of four weeks, but ended up staying for 25 years. He is the 2011 recipient of the University of Southern California's Mary Pickford Distinguished Alumni Award recognizing alumni contributions to the cinematic arts.

On January 18, 2019, Unkrich announced he was leaving Pixar to spend time with his family and pursue interests that have "long been back-burnered." In 2023, Unkrich was revealed to have occasionally consulted at Pixar since leaving in 2019.

In late 2022 he announced he had completed editing a book about The Shining, written by J. W. Rinzler. In 2023, Taschen released Unkrich's book Stanley Kubrick's The Shining in a limited collector's edition. A hardcover version of the book was released in 2024. The book was edited by Unkrich, and written by J. W. Rinzler and Unkrich.

In March 2025, during the Disney Shareholder Meeting, CEO Bob Iger announced that the sequel to Coco was in early development, with Unkrich returning to co-direct the film with Adrian Molina.

Personal life

Unkrich is married to Laura Century and they have three children. Unkrich came out as bisexual to his family and friends in 2021 and came out publicly in 2022. His daughter Hannah is known for voicing Molly in Toy Story 2.

Filmography

Films

Television

• Prison Stories: Women on the Inside (1991) (TV) (production assistant)
• Silk Stalkings (1991) (TV Series) (assistant editor, editor, director)
• Renegade (1993) (TV series) (assistant editor)
• Betrayed by Love (1994) (TV) (assistant editor)
• *Separated by Murder *(1995) (TV) (editor)

Documentaries

Shorts and TV specials

References

References

1. (January 18, 2019). "'Toy Story 3,' 'Coco' Director Lee Unkrich Leaving Pixar After 25 Years (Exclusive)".
2. Seddon, Dan. (January 20, 2019). "Toy Story 3 and Coco director Lee Unkrich leaves Disney Pixar".
3. Unkrich, Lee. (December 11, 2017). "My father, Bob Unkrich, died tonight at 93. He was an artist and a World War II Army hero. He stormed the beach at Normandy. I'm so thankful I was able to spend time with him last week and show him Coco. He loved it. He'll be on our ofrenda next year. I'll always remember him. https://t.co/ShvCMB0ZLQ".
4. (November 21, 2017). "'Coco' Ready for Thanksgiving Weekend Fireworks at the Box Office".
5. [http://cinema.usc.edu/alumni/alumni-history/ Notable Alumni] {{webarchive. link. (August 26, 2009, USC School of Cinematic Arts; accessed March 10, 2008.)
6. [https://www.awn.com/animationworld/unkrich-talks-toy-story-trilogy Unkrich Talks 'Toy Story' Trilogy. Animation World Network]
7. "USC‑Mary Pickford Foundation Alumni Awards".
8. Welk, Brian. (January 18, 2019). "Lee Unkrich, Director of 'Coco' and 'Toy Story 3,' to Leave Pixar After 25 Years".
9. Taylor, Drew. (July 5, 2023). "Inside Pixar's Existential Crisis and How It Can Bounce Back After Disney+ Stole Its Mojo".
10. [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/dec/09/i-got-a-bit-drunk-with-the-twins-toy-story-2s-lee-unkrich-on-his-obsession-with-the-shining 'I got a bit drunk with the twins': Toy Story 3's Lee Unkrich on his obsession with The Shining]
11. (2024-12-16). "'Stanley Kubrick's The Shining' Offers a Behind the Scenes Look on the Cult Classic".
12. (9 December 2022). "'I got a bit drunk with the twins': Toy Story 3's Lee Unkrich on his obsession with The Shining".
13. Huston, Caitlin. (March 20, 2025). "'Coco 2' Set For 2029 Release In Theaters".
14. O'Connor, Michael "Clint". (June 12, 2010). "'Toy Story 3': Director Lee Unkrich, from Chagrin Falls, doesn't want to break Pixar's golden streak". Cleveland.com.
15. Unkrich, Lee. (March 8, 2022). "@beames_josh @DanaLightyear I actually merely posted the bi pride flag on Bisexual Awareness Day. Just making sure you have your facts correct. That said, yes I am. 😊🏳️🌈".
16. Unkrich, Lee. (October 11, 2022). "Coming out last year was the hardest thing I've ever done, and I'm grateful for the support of my family and friends. I stand with those who have always been out, those who have recently come out, and especially those who cannot or aren't ready to come out. #NationalComingOutDay https://t.co/JOJlop1M73".
17. (August 26, 2016). "Beloved Pixar Characters Voiced by Pixar Filmmakers". Oh My Disney.
18. T.J. Wolsos. (June 10, 2022). "Buzz Lightyear Documentary 'Beyond Infinity' Now on Disney+". Pixar Post.