February 23, 2015
University of Waterloo alumnus wins Oscar for Big Hero 6
It’s the first Academy Award for fine arts grad Chris Williams, who was also nominated in 2009
A University of Waterloo alumnus has won the Oscar for best animated feature for Big Hero 6.
Chris Williams, who graduated in 1990 from the University of Waterloo with a BA in fine arts, is the co-director of the popular Disney movie that has grossed more than $500 million at the box office.
Writer/director Chris Williams attends the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 22, 2015. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage)
This was Williams' second Oscar nod. He was nominated in 2009 for his role as co-director in the popular Disney feature Bolt.
Art Green, a professor emeritus in the Department of Fine Arts, taught drawing and painting to Williams.
“Chris possessed a trait that is supremely important for anyone looking forward to a career in the arts - a finely honed sense of humour. He is a great example of the kind of students we regularly attract - smart, sincere and highly motivated people who are open to new ideas and novel approaches,” said Green.
After the University of Waterloo, Williams enrolled in Sheridan College’s animation program. Williams started his career as an intern at Disney and subsequently worked on a number of projects.
He is well-known for work on Mulan, The Emperor's New Groove, Bolt and the short, Glago’s Guest which was nominated for four Annies, including Best Animated Short Subject.
Williams is also known for his off-beat comic strip “Intelligent Humor” which first appeared in The University of Waterloo's Imprint in 1988, and ran for five years.
