This article is about the animation director. For the football player, see Rich Moore (American football). For other people with similar names, see Richard Moore (disambiguation).
Rich Moore
Birth datec. 1963
OccupationAnimation director · screenwriter · producer · voice actor
Years active1986–present

Rich Moore (born c. 1963)[1] is an American film and television animation director, screenwriter, producer and voice actor. He is best known for serving as a director on primetime animated television series such as The Simpsons, The Critic and Futurama as well as directing the films Wreck-It Ralph (2012), Zootopia (2016) and Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) for Walt Disney Animation Studios. He is a two-time Emmy Award winner, a three-time Annie Award winner and an Academy Award winner.

Early life

Moore grew up in Oxnard, California.[2] He studied film and video at the California Institute of the Arts, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1987.[3] While there, he narrated Jim Reardon's 1986 student film Bring Me the Head of Charlie Brown.[3]

Career

Television

After graduating from CalArts, Moore worked for Ralph Bakshi on CBS's Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures, co-writing all 13 season 1 episodes in 1987.[4][5] Moore was one of the original three directors of The Simpsons, directing 17 episodes in the first 5 seasons from 1990 to 1993,[6] including the episodes: "Flaming Moe's", "Itchy and Scratchy: The Movie", and "Marge vs. the Monorail".[7][8] He won a 1991 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program for The Simpsons: Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment,[9] and later return as one of the sequence directors on The Simpsons Movie in 2007.[10]

In 1994, Moore became a producer and supervising director for the animated series The Critic.[6] He then oversaw the creative development and production of Futurama as the show's supervising director for its first four seasons. He also directed several episodes of the animated series from 1999 to 2001, including the classic "Roswell That Ends Well",[6][7] for which he won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program.[11]

Moore's other television animation directing credits include Comedy Central's Drawn Together and "Spy vs. Spy" for Mad TV.[6] He served as supervising director on the 2009 animated Fox television series Sit Down, Shut Up.[12]

Film

In 2004, Moore directed the Warner Bros. Animation animated short film Duck Dodgers in Attack of the Drones.[6] In 2008, he was invited by John Lasseter to join Walt Disney Animation Studios as a director, with the suggestion that he develop a story set in the world of video games.[13] This would become the 2012 animated feature Wreck-It Ralph, Moore's feature directing debut, and a box office and critical success.[6][7] Moore also supplied the voices for the film's characters Sour Bill and Zangief.[14] Wreck-It Ralph won five Annie Awards, including Best Animated Feature and a Best Director award for Moore,[15] and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.[16]

Moore's next animated feature film was Disney's Zootopia, which he directed alongside Byron Howard and co-director Jared Bush. The film, released on March 4, 2016, became the second highest-grossing animated feature film of 2016 with a worldwide box office gross of over $1.023 billion.[17] The film also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.[18]

After Zootopia, Moore returned to direct Ralph Breaks the Internet, the sequel to Wreck-It Ralph, with fellow filmmaker Phil Johnston.[19] The film was a financial success, outgrossing the original film with over $529.3 million worldwide.[20] It was also nominated for multiple awards in the Best Animated Feature category, including the Academy Awards,[21] Annie Awards,[22] and Golden Globe Awards.[23]

On April 8, 2019, Moore revealed that he had left Disney to join Sony Pictures Animation, where he would direct and produce original animated films for the studio, and ultimately produced the film Vivo.[24]

On March 16, 2022, Moore revealed that he has entered into an exclusive, multi-year overall deal with Skydance Animation.[25] On October 18, 2023, it was revealed that Moore is directing an untitled Jack and the Beanstalk project at Skydance.[26]

Filmography

Films

YearTitleDirectorStoryProducerOtherVoice RoleNotes
2007The Simpsons MovieSequence Director
Futurama: Bender's Big ScoreDirect-to-video
2008Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!Additional Story Artist
Futurama: The Beast with a Billion BacksDirect-to-video
Futurama: Bender's GameDirect-to-video
2009Futurama: Into the Wild Green YonderDirect-to-video
2012Wreck-It RalphSour Bill and Zangief
2016ZootopiaDoug and LarryCreative Leadership
2018Ralph Breaks the InternetSour Bill, Zangief, and StormtrooperSong Producer: "A Place Called Slaughter Race", Creative Leadership
2021VivoIguana
2024SpellboundThe Royal PostmasterAdditional Literary Materials
Untitled Jack and the Beanstalk project[26]

Shorts

YearTitleDirectorStoryOtherRoleNotes
1986Somewhere in the Arctic[27]Dohk
Bring Me the Head of Charlie BrownCharlie Brown / NarrationAided and Abetted by
SnooklesDragonSpecial Thanks
1988Christmas in TattertownCharacter Color Designer
Technological ThreatCharacter Animator, Designer
1989Hound TownAnimation Director, Story Artist
1993Inland Empire (1993 film)|Inland EmpireHarper Brackman
2004Duck Dodgers in Attack of the Drones
2009The AfflictionProduction Assistant
2013Garlan Hulse: Where Potential LivesRich MooreHimself
2024Dust MonsterSpecial Thanks
2025Flink's Pigeon Problems: A Magical Rescue[28]The Royal Postmaster (uncredited)

Other credits

YearTitleRole
1987A Story[27]Thanks
2003The Simpsons: Hit & RunSpecial Thanks
2008BoltDisney Story Trust – uncredited [29]
2009The Princess and the Frog
2010Tangled
2011Winnie the Pooh
Gnomeo & JulietDeepest Gratitude
2013Get a Horse!Additional Thanks
FrozenDisney Story Trust – uncredited [30]
2014FeastSpecial Thanks
Big Hero 6Creative Leadership
2016Finding DorySpecial Thanks
Inner WorkingsSpecial Advisor
MoanaCreative Leadership
2019Frozen 2

Awards

Feature Films
YearTitleNotes
2012Wreck-It RalphWon Best Animated Feature at Annie Awards, Critics' Choice Movie Awards, National Board of Review Awards
Nominated for Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film
2016ZootopiaWon Best Animated Feature at Critics' Choice Movie Awards, Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film, Best Animated Feature at Annie Awards, Academy Award for Best Animated Feature
Nominated for BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film
2018Ralph Breaks the InternetNominated for Best Animated Feature at Critics' Choice Movie Awards, Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film, Best Animated Feature at Annie Awards, Academy Award for Best Animated Feature
Emmy Awards
Annie Awards
  • 2002 – Directing in an Animated Television Production for Futurama ("Roswell That Ends Well")[31]
  • 2012 – Directing in an Animated Feature Production for Wreck-It Ralph[15]
  • 2016 – Directing in an Animated Feature Production for Zootopia (Shared with Byron Howard)[32]
Academy Awards

Television directing credits

The Simpsons

The Critic

  • "Pilot" (season 1, episode 1, January 26, 1994)
  • "Lady Hawke" (season 2, episode 3, March 19, 1995)
  • "I Can't Believe It's a Clip Show" (season 2, episode 10, May 21, 1995)

Futurama

Baby Blues

  • "Bizzy Moves In" (season 1, episode 2, July 28, 2000)

Drawn Together

References

  1. ^ Schmitz, Sheila (1991-08-30). "Outtakes". Ventura County Star. p. GP5. Retrieved 2025-04-30. ...Rich Moore, 28...was up for directing honors for the 'Homer Versus Lisa and the Eighth Commandment' episode of 'The Simpsons'...
  2. ^ Gaudiosi, John (October 31, 2012). "'Wreck-It Ralph' Director Rich Moore Has Plenty of Game, Literally". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived November 30, 2018 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ "Wreck-It Ralph Director Rich Moore on his Film Sensibility: 'It's a CalArts Thing'". California Institute of the Arts. November 29, 2012. Archived December 4, 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ^ Rogers, Nathaniel (February 18, 2013). "Interview: Rich Moore on His Long Journey With 'Wreck-It Ralph'". The Film Experience.
  5. ^ Morris, Chris (September 30, 2015). "Saturday-Morning Revolution: When Ralph Bakshi Met Mighty Mouse". Night Flight. Archived November 2, 2019 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ^ MacQuarrie, Jim (October 29, 2012). "Interview With Rich Moore and Clark Spencer, the Director and Producer of Wreck-It Ralph". Wired. Archived November 22, 2018 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ^ Goodsell, Luke (December 21, 2012). "Interview: Director Rich Moore on Wreck-It Ralph". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived April 24, 2019 at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ^ Lussier, Germain (September 12, 2012). "Film Interview: Rich Moore, Director of 'Wreck-It Ralph,' Talks Sequels, Cameos, and a Game Deleted From the Film". /Film. Archived November 22, 2018 at the Wayback Machine.
  9. ^ "Emmy Awards: The Other Winners". Los Angeles Times. August 26, 1991. Archived May 13, 2020 at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ^ Vo, Alex (July 30, 2007). "Comic-Con Premieres New Futurama Footage; Plus, We Interview Futurama's Rich Moore". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived December 4, 2017 at the Wayback Machine.
  11. ^ "Futurama". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived April 28, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  12. ^ Brian Lowry, "Review: 'Sit Down, Shut Up'," Variety, April 15, 2009.
  13. ^ Rich Moore, "Game Theory: The Passion Behind 'Wreck-It Ralph'," New York Times, December 28, 2012.
  14. ^ Andy Wilson, "Rich Moore: From The Simpsons to Wreck-It Ralph," Huffington Post, May 5, 2013.
  15. ^ Carolyn Giardina, "'Wreck-It Ralph' Wins Five Annie Awards Including Best Animated Feature," The Hollywood Reporter, February 2, 2013.
  16. ^ Brian Truitt, "Disney inspiration is huge for 'Ralph' director," USA Today, February 22, 2013.
  17. ^ "Zootopia (2016)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived May 28, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  18. ^ "The 89th Academy Awards | 2017". Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. April 18, 2017.
  19. ^ Snetiker, Marc (June 30, 2016). "Wreck-It Ralph 2 officially announced at Disney". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  20. ^ "Ralph Breaks the Internet". 5848272. Archived January 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  21. ^ "91st Academy Awards Nominees". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. April 15, 2019. Archived December 20, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  22. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (February 3, 2019). "Annie Awards: 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' Wins Best Animated Feature". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived February 3, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  23. ^ Snlerson, Dan (January 6, 2019). "Golden Globes 2019: See the full winners list". Entertainment Weekly. Archived January 7, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  24. ^ McNary, Dave (April 8, 2019). "'Zootopia' Director Rich Moore Leaves Disney for Sony Pictures Animation". Variety. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  25. ^ Grobat, Matt (March 16, 2022). "Oscar Winner Rich Moore Strikes Overall Deal With Skydance Animation". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  26. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 18, 2023). "Netflix Sets Skydance Animation In Multi-Year Deal, First Up Is Alan Menken Musical 'Spellbound;' Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem Star". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  27. ^ Simon, Ben (December 27, 2012). "Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 2". Animated Views. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  28. ^ "Flink's Pigeon Problems: A Magical Rescue | NEW Spellbound Animated Short | Netflix Jr". YouTube. March 1, 2025. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  29. ^ Moore, Rich (December 28, 2012). "Game Theory: The Passion Behind 'Wreck-It Ralph'". The New York Times. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  30. ^ Goldman, Eric (February 18, 2016). "How Disney's Story Trust Helped Change Big Hero 6, Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph and More". IGN. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  31. ^ "30th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners". International Animated Film Society. 2002. Archived from the original on July 2, 2007. Retrieved June 28, 2007.
  32. ^ Flores, Terry (November 28, 2016). "'Zootopia' Tops Annie Awards Nominations, 'Kubo and the Two Strings' in Close Second". Variety. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  33. ^ Donnelly, Jim. "'Zootopia' Is the 2017 Oscar Winner for Animated Feature Film". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived April 2, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 27, 2017.