Christopher Renaud '89

Christopher P. “Chris” Renaud ’89, an animated film director, was co-director of the Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment films, Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2, which earned him an Academy Award nomination. He was also executive producer of Minions, the billion-dollar grossing prequel that was released in July 2017. Chris’s career began in New York City, where he was a graphic designer in the sports entertainment industry. In 2007, he wrote and co-director the animated short, No Time for Nuts, which received an Annie Award and an Academy Award nomination. Since joining Illumination Entertainment, Chris’s projects have included The Secret Life of Pets, Despicable Me 3, and a remake of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. Chris also lends his voice to some of his animated characters.

A 1989 graduate of Syracuse University, Chris also attended The Baum School of Art. He returned to campus in 2019 to serve as the convocation speaker for VPA. He established the Renaud Family Fund for Visual Development and the Chris and Lauren Renaud Fund for Illustration on behalf of VPA’s School of Art & Design. While an undergraduate, he was a member of Zeta Psi fraternity and participated in WJPZ.