Ed Catmull
Ed Catmull (Edwin Earl Catmull) was born on March 31st, 1945 and is currently 80 years old. Ed Catmull was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, USA. Catmull attended the University of Utah where he received a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science, and a Ph.D.
Ed Catmull is an American computer scientist and animator. He helped start Pixar and also worked as the President of Walt Disney Animation Studios. He’s known for his important work in 3D computer graphics and was awarded the ACM Turing Award in 2019 for his achievements.
Creativity, Inc focuses on how to manage creativity in a business setting and offers valuable lessons in leadership and innovation.
Catmull shares the story of how he and his team-built Pixar into one of the most popular and successful animation companies. He outlines the ideals and work environment that helped make Pixar thrive creatively and financially. As the company grew, Catmull learned the kind of leader he wanted to be—one who nurtures a culture where creativity is constantly encouraged and protected.
From a young age, Catmull was fascinated by animation and dreamed of creating a movie using computer graphics. He admired Walt Disney and later, during his time at the University of Utah, he was assigned to pitch a student exchange program to Disney. Though Disney declined the offer, they invited Catmull to join their Imagineering division.
Catmull declined, as he was focused on pursuing computer animation specifically, not theme park design. This early decision revealed his strong sense of purpose and commitment to his creative vision.
Before founding Pixar, Catmull worked for George Lucas at Lucasfilm. Pixar itself struggled in its early days until Steve Jobs purchased the company and invested heavily to keep it going. The mutual respect between Catmull and Jobs is a key theme in the book and played a major role in Pixar’s development.
Pixar’s first feature film,
Toy Story, became a major success and marked the beginning of a long string of hits. The book shares the behind-the-scenes stories of many Pixar films, including
Toy Story, Up, and
Inside Out, highlighting both the creative breakthroughs and the challenges faced during production. Alongside these stories, Catmull offers reflections on leadership, decision-making, and the importance of embracing failure as part of the creative process.
One notable aspect of the book is how Catmull chooses to reveal character and emotion over detailed physical descriptions such as with characters in the Pixar films. He has a unique sense of humor, especially when it comes to naming characters, using names like Dull, Windslow, and Showers that add a playful touch while also hinting at deeper meanings. For example, Matthew Dull seems boring on the surface, April Showers brings renewal to Storm’s stagnant life, and Thurston Windslow’s name fits someone slow to act during a crisis.
Catmull also gives readers an unusual glimpse into the architecture and history of Washington, D.C. These details aren't commonly featured in travel guides but they add a fresh layer of context for readers.
The central theme remains clear: creative work is never easy. The suspense and depth of Pixar’s journey make this a compelling read.
Creativity, Inc. has received strong praise from major outlets like The New York Times, which called it “the latest bible for the show business crowd.” It has also been positively reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and The Financial Times. The book is both a thoughtful guide for creative leaders and a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of the most influential companies in animation.
Ed Catmull: Awards & Accolades
Catmull's book, Creativity, Inc. was nominated for the Goodreads Awards, Best Business Books, in 2014.
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- Neil Gaiman, author of the American Gods Series.
- Ernest Cline, author of the Ready Player One Series.
Ed Catmull: F.A.Q
When was Ed Catmull Born? How old is Ed Catmull?
Ed Catmull was born on March 31st, 1945. Ed Catmull is currently 80 years old.
Where was Ed Catmull Born?
Ed Catmull was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, USA and is American.
What was the first book Ed Catmull wrote?
The first book written by Ed Catmull was Creativity, Inc., published in 2014.
What was the most recent book Ed Catmull wrote?
His most recently released work was Creativity, Inc. on July 24th, 2014.
Will there be any more books by Ed Catmull?
Ed Catmull does not have any upcoming books with a set publication date within the next few months at this time.
How many books has Ed Catmull written?
Ed Catmull has written 1 book. All of his books are Non-Fiction Books.