Ranft, Joe

Ranft, Joe (1960-2005) Story artist, joined Disney in 1980 working on such films as Oliver & Co., Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. In 1992 he joined his schoolmate John Lasseter at Pixar where he made significant contributions to each of their features beginning with Toy Story, not only in story development, but also by providing such voices as Heimlich in A Bug’s Life and Jacques in Finding Nemo. Ranft was considered by many to be one of the best story men in the business. He was named a Disney Legend in 2006.