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Pixar Animator Behind ‘Toy Story’ Ralph Eggleston Dies Aged 56

Award-winning animator Ralph Egglestone has sadly passed away at the age of fifty-six.

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A pillar of the animation community and a Pixar Animation Studios pioneer, Eggleston will be missed dearly.

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Hired to work as an art director on Toy Story in 1992, Eggleston stayed with Pixar for decades, helping to shape the company into the incredible success and household name it is today.

Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Inside Out, Finding Nemo, and WALL-E are just a few of the incredible films that Eggleston has worked out, creating delightful childhood memories for millions.

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He had an incredibly prolific career.

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As well as working as an animator, director, storyboard artist, and character designer, Eggleston is credited as being part of the team that came up with the original story for Monsters Inc.

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For his work on For the Birds, he won an Oscar.

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Often seen as the ultimate recognition for performance and talent in the film industry, an Oscar is a true accomplishment. Egglestone picked up his first Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2002 (as well as 6 Annie Awards over the course of his career). Not only did he lend his voice to the short film, but he also directed and wrote the project, and it played alongside Monsters Inc in its theatrical release.

Tributes are pouring in from fans and coworkers alike.

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The Daily Mail reports that filmmaker Jorge R. Gutierrez shared on Twitter that just before his passing, Eggleston was “trying to donate his spectacular art book collection to a Mexican animation school”, a true act of generosity and display of his philanthropic nature.

He sadly lost his life on August 28th in Lake Charles, LA, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer,

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He will be remembered forever, with the official Pixar Twitter account tweeting: “In memory of Ralph Eggleston – animator, director, art director, storyboard artist, writer, production designer, and our dear friend. Pixar and the world will forever be grateful.”

Rest in peace, Ralph Eggeston.