He was a prominent director of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons, and a master of character animation and comedic timing.
He is a co-founder of Studio Ghibli and a renowned director of anime films, who has cited Disney as one of his influences.
He was a creator of many iconic cartoon characters, such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Droopy, and Screwy Squirrel, and a pioneer of screwball comedy and fast-paced gags.
He is a former chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, and a director of groundbreaking computer-animated films, such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and Cars.
He was a producer of Universal Studios cartoons, and the creator of Woody Woodpecker and many other characters.