For the Australian rugby league player, see Chris Houghton (rugby league). For the football manager and player, see Chris Hughton. For the media personality, see Kris Houghton.
Chris Houghton
Birth nameChristopher Colin Houghton[1]
Birth dateMay 23, 1988 (age 38)
Birth placeSt. Johns, Michigan, U.S.
OccupationAnimator, illustrator, writer, director, musician, voice actor
EducationCollege for Creative Studies
NotableworksBig City Greens
SpouseKassandra Heller
RelativesShane Houghton (brother)
Yearsactive2011–present

Christopher Colin Houghton (born May 23, 1988) is an American animator, illustrator, writer, director, musician, and voice actor. He is the co-creator and executive producer of the Disney Channel animated series Big City Greens, on which he voices the main character Cricket Green.

Early life

Houghton was born in St. Johns, Michigan.[2] His parents are Noel and Larry Houghton.[3][4] He attended the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, where he majored in illustration.[5][6]

Career

Houghton began his career as a storyboard artist on the Nickelodeon series Fanboy & Chum Chum[7] and worked as an artist for Bongo Comics, Mad, and Boom! Studios.[8] He often collaborates with his brother, writer Shane Houghton,[9][7] with whom he co-created the Reed Gunther comic book series.[10]

Houghton served as a storyboard artist on Disney XD's Gravity Falls and Wander Over Yonder[11][12] before later working as a storyboard director on Nickelodeon's Harvey Beaks.[13]

In March 2016, Disney XD announced that it had picked up an animated series by the Houghton brothers, originally titled Country Club and later renamed Big City Greens.[14][15] Houghton voices the main character, Cricket Green. After initially only providing the voice for early production, his performance impressed Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger during an advanced screening.[16]

In February 2024, the Houghton brothers signed a multiyear overall production deal with Disney Branded Television.[17]

Personal life

Houghton is married to animator and artist Kassandra Heller.[18]

In 2009, Houghton was the recipient of the Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship from the National Cartoonists Society.[19]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleCreditNotes
2024Big City Greens the Movie: SpacecationCricket Green (voice)Writer, executive producer

Television

YearTitleCreditNotes
2011–2012Fanboy & Chum ChumStoryboard artist
2012–2016Gravity Falls
2013–2014Wander Over Yonder
2014Mickey MouseEpisode: "Clogged"[20]
2015–2017Harvey BeaksStoryboard director
2018–presentBig City GreensCricket Green (voice)Co-creator, writer, storyboard artist, executive producer
2022–2023The Owl HouseBill (voice)2 episodes
2022–presentChibiverseCricket Green (voice)6 episodes

Bibliography

  • Houghton, Shane & Houghton, Chris (November 22, 2011). Reed Gunther, Vol. 1: The Bear-Riding Cowboy. Image Comics. ISBN 9781607064626.
  • North, Ryan; Paroline, Shelli (illustrator); Lamb, Braden (illustrator); Houghton, Chris (illustrator); Brown, Jeffrey (illustrator) (February 8, 2012). Adventure Time #1. BOOM! Studios. ISBN 978-1637156513.
  • Houghton, Shane & Houghton, Chris (August 7, 2012). Reed Gunther, Vol. 2: Monsters and Mustaches!. Image Comics. ISBN 9781607065562.
  • Pope, Paul; Renier, Aaron; Houghton, Chris (illustrator) (October 1, 2013). Adventure Time: Sugary Shorts, Vol. 1. BOOM! Studios. ISBN 9781608863617.

References

  1. ^ "National Cartoonists Society". nationalcartoonists.com. Archived 2022-10-05 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  2. ^ Mike (2015-05-04). "Chris Houghton". Animation Insider. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  3. ^ Greco, Rachel (June 18, 2018). "New Disney cartoon inspired by brothers' St. Johns roots". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  4. ^ Toby, Mekeisha Madden (December 27, 2017). "Country boy moves downtown in coming 'Big City Greens'". The Detroit News. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  5. ^ Bentley, Rick (September 20, 2023). "'Big City Greens' reaches major television milestone". kget.com. Archived September 27, 2023 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ^ kingfeaturesadmin (2009-05-11). "King Features Cartoonists Dan Piraro and Vic Lee Among Nominees for National Cartoonists Society 2009 Reuben Awards – King Features Syndicate". Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  7. ^ Goellner, Caleb (2012-01-09). "Chris Houghton Applies Animation Expertise to Awesome Sketches [Art]". ComicsAlliance. Archived 10 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  8. ^ "9 Questions with Chris Houghton". Scratch9. 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  9. ^ "NCS member Chris Houghton sells Animated Series to Disney XD". nationalcartoonists.com. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  10. ^ "Interview - Reed Gunther creators, Chris and Shane Houghton". 2011-08-25. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  11. ^ "Chris Houghton and Shane Houghton, Creators and Executive Producers of Disney Channel's 'Big City Greens,' Enter Into Overall With Disney Branded Television". Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  12. ^ "Looks like the cat's outta the bag! Or in this...". 2025-04-23. Archived 2025-04-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  13. ^ "Disney takes the unknown country road with Big City Greens". Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  14. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (2016-03-04). "Disney XD Announces 'Billy Dilly' and 'Country Club'". Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  15. ^ Melrose, Kevin (2017-07-21). "EXCLUSIVE: First Look At Disney XD's Big City Greens Opening Credits". CBR. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  16. ^ "what's your opinion on Bob Iger now that he's...". 2025-01-23. Archived 2025-01-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  17. ^ Rice, Lynette (2024-02-10). "'Big City Greens' Creators Chris Houghton, Shane Houghton Sign Multi-Year Deal With Disney Branded TV". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  18. ^ Stories, Local (2016-12-02). "Meet Los Feliz Animator, BG Painter, Designer, and Illustrator: Kassandra Heller". Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  19. ^ David (2010-02-26). "David-Wasting-Paper: Chris Houghton - Cartoonist Survey #84". David-Wasting-Paper. Archived 2011-11-06 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  20. ^ "National Cartoonists Society". nationalcartoonists.com. Archived 2022-10-05 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-07-25.