Pixar Animator Ralph Eggleston, Known for TOY STORY, Dies at 56

Published: August 31, 2022

Pixar Animator Ralph Eggleston, Known for TOY STORY, Dies at 56

By Movieguide® Staff

Oscar-winning animator Ralph Eggleston, who worked on many iconic Disney Pixar movies like TOY STORY and FINDING NEMO, died on Aug. 30, at the age of 56.

The Pixar Post reported the news, noting his battle with pancreatic cancer as Eggleston’s cause of death.

Pixar Animation Studios also confirmed Eggleston’s death via Twitter: “In memory of Ralph Eggleston — animator, director, art director, storyboard artist, writer, production designer, and our dear friend. Pixar and the world will be forever grateful.”

Adios Maestro Ralph Eggleston. A true titan of our art form. He reached out to me after Book of Life and I will forever cherish our conversations. Before many knew he was sick he was trying to donate his spectacular art book collection to a Mexican animation school. That's Ralph. pic.twitter.com/vyiwZ6dOPL

— Jorge R. Gutierrez (@mexopolis) August 29, 2022

Director Jorge R. Gutierrez also posted a tribute to the animator.

“Adios Maestro Ralph Eggleston. A true titan of our art form. He reached out to me after Book of Life and I will forever cherish our conversations,” Gutierrez wrote. “Before many knew he was sick he was trying to donate his spectacular art book collection to a Mexican animation school. That’s Ralph.”

Eggleston earned many accolades and awards for his work with Pixar, including an Oscar for his iconic Pixar Short, FOR THE BIRDS.

Eggleston also worked on TOY STORY, FINDING NEMO, THE INCREDIBLES, INSIDE OUT, and is credited with helping devise the story and idea for MONSTERS INC.

According to Andrew Stanton, a writer at Pixar, Eggleston helped shape Pixar’s vision after their breakout success in 1995, TOY STORY.

“The only person out of all those people I called that said yes right away was Ralph Eggleston, who came in to be our production designer,” Stanton said after struggling to find a production designer for their first CGI-animated movie. “And thank goodness, because he really became a cornerstone of the look of our films.”

Many of Eggleston’s work can be seen in Movieguide® Award-nominated movies that extol family values with a positive, moral worldview.

A portion of Movieguide®’s review of TOY STORY reads:

The first totally computer animated movie is TOY STORY. It answers the question “What happens to my toys when I leave the room?” in a wonderful, moral, fantastic way. In the movie, Woody is a cowboy doll, voiced by Tom Hanks, who envies the new favorite toy in town, Buzz Lightyear, space ranger, voiced by Tim Allen. When their fighting gets Woody and Buzz left behind at a gas station, they have to start working together to get home. TOY STORY is funny, clean, wholesome, and virtuous—a classic beginning to a new genre and a masterpiece which is sure to capture the imaginations of young and old alike.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

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What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.