Jennifer Lee

Jennifer Lee

Born:October 22, 1971

Place of Birth:Providence, Rhode Island, USA

Known For:Writing

Biography

Jennifer Lee, born Jennifer Michelle Lee on October 22, 1971, is a trailblazing American filmmaker and playwright whose work has left an indelible mark on the world of animation. With a career that has spanned both creative leadership and hands-on filmmaking, Lee has become a powerhouse in the industry. Her tenure as the chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios from 2018 to 2024 solidified her reputation as a visionary leader with a keen eye for storytelling.

Lee's most notable contributions come from her involvement in the beloved "Frozen" franchise. As the writer and co-director of "Frozen" (2013) and its sequel "Frozen 2" (2019), she captivated audiences worldwide with her enchanting narratives and memorable characters. The success of the first film, which earned her an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, marked a significant milestone not only in her career but also in the realm of animated cinema.

Breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings, Jennifer Lee made history as the first female CCO of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Her impact extended beyond the boardroom, as she also became the first female director of a Walt Disney Animation Studios feature film. Furthermore, she achieved the remarkable feat of being the first female director to helm two feature films that each grossed over $1 billion at the box office, showcasing her exceptional talent and universal appeal.

While her accomplishments in the world of animation are widely celebrated, Jennifer Lee's versatility as a playwright also deserves recognition. Her ability to weave intricate narratives and create compelling characters has earned her a dedicated following among fans of all ages. Through her work, she has demonstrated a deep understanding of the human experience and a gift for translating emotions into captivating stories that resonate with audiences around the globe.

With a passion for storytelling that knows no bounds, Jennifer Lee continues to inspire aspiring filmmakers and artists to pursue their creative dreams. Her legacy as a pioneering figure in the animation industry serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, talent, and a relentless dedication to one's craft. As she embarks on new cinematic endeavors, audiences eagerly anticipate the next chapter in her extraordinary career, knowing that whatever she creates next is sure to be nothing short of magical.

Images

Jennifer Lee
Jennifer Lee

Filmography

Acting

Frozen

Frozen

Queen / Additional Voices (voice)

2013

Young princess Anna of Arendelle dreams about finding true love at her sister Elsa’s coronation. Fate takes her on a dangerous journey in an attempt to end the eternal winter that has fallen over the kingdom. She's accompanied by ice delivery man Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and snowman Olaf. On an adventure where she will find out what friendship, courage, family, and true love really means.

Production

Moana 2

Moana 2

Executive Producer

2024

After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana journeys alongside Maui and a new crew to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced.
Zootopia

Zootopia

Story

2016

Determined to prove herself, Officer Judy Hopps, the first bunny on Zootopia's police force, jumps at the chance to crack her first case - even if it means partnering with scam-artist fox Nick Wilde to solve the mystery.
Frozen

Frozen

Screenplay

2013

Young princess Anna of Arendelle dreams about finding true love at her sister Elsa’s coronation. Fate takes her on a dangerous journey in an attempt to end the eternal winter that has fallen over the kingdom. She's accompanied by ice delivery man Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and snowman Olaf. On an adventure where she will find out what friendship, courage, family, and true love really means.
Encanto

Encanto

Executive Producer

2021

The tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family—every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family's last hope.
Wish

Wish

Executive Producer

2023

Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force – a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe - the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico - to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.
Frozen II

Frozen II

Director

2019

Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf head far into the forest to learn the truth about an ancient mystery of their kingdom.
Raya and the Last Dragon

Raya and the Last Dragon

Executive Producer

2021

Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people.
Wreck-It Ralph

Wreck-It Ralph

Screenplay

2012

Wreck-It Ralph is the 9-foot-tall, 643-pound villain of an arcade video game named Fix-It Felix Jr., in which the game's titular hero fixes buildings that Ralph destroys. Wanting to prove he can be a good guy and not just a villain, Ralph escapes his game and lands in Hero's Duty, a first-person shooter where he helps the game's hero battle against alien invaders. He later enters Sugar Rush, a kart racing game set on tracks made of candies, cookies and other sweets. There, Ralph meets Vanellope von Schweetz who has learned that her game is faced with a dire threat that could affect the entire arcade, and one that Ralph may have inadvertently started.
Ralph Breaks the Internet

Ralph Breaks the Internet

Executive Producer

2018

Video game bad guy Ralph and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz must risk it all by traveling to the World Wide Web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope's video game, Sugar Rush. In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet — the netizens — to help navigate their way, including an entrepreneur named Yesss, who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site BuzzzTube.
Once Upon a Studio

Once Upon a Studio

Executive Producer

2023

Created for Disney's 100th anniversary, the short features Mickey Mouse corralling a gallery of legendary Disney characters for a group photo.
Strange World

Strange World

Executive Producer

2022

A journey deep into an uncharted and treacherous land, where fantastical creatures await the legendary Clades—a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their latest, and by far most crucial, mission.
A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time

Screenplay

2018

After the disappearance of her scientist father, three peculiar beings send Meg, her brother, and her friend to space in order to find him.
Frozen Fever

Frozen Fever

Writer

2015

On Anna's birthday, Elsa and Kristoff are determined to give her the best celebration ever, but Elsa's icy powers may put more than just the party at risk.
Olaf's Frozen Adventure

Olaf's Frozen Adventure

Characters

2017

Olaf is on a mission to harness the best holiday traditions for Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff.
Once Upon a Snowman

Once Upon a Snowman

Executive Producer

2020

The previously untold origins of Olaf, the innocent and insightful, summer-loving snowman are revealed as we follow Olaf’s first steps as he comes to life and searches for his identity in the snowy mountains outside Arendelle.
Us Again

Us Again

Executive Producer

2021

In a vibrant city pulsating with rhythm and movement, an elderly man and his young-at-heart wife rekindle their youthful passion for life and each other on one magical night.
Far from the Tree

Far from the Tree

Executive Producer

2021

On an idyllic beach in the Pacific Northwest, curiosity gets the better of a young raccoon whose frustrated parent attempts to keep them both safe.