Jennifer Lee

Jennifer Lee is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer best known for her groundbreaking work at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Born on 1971-03-22 in Providence, Rhode Island, United States, she grew up with a deep love for storytelling and pursued a degree in English and Film from the University of New Hampshire before earning an MFA in directing from Columbia University. Lee began her career in the early 1990s, writing scripts for independent projects and honing her craft while working on various television and short film assignments, which laid the foundation for her later success in feature animation. In 2004 she joined Disney as a screenwriter, contributing to the development of Bolt and later co-writing the screenplay for Wreck-It Ralph (2012), a film that showcased her knack for blending humor with heartfelt character arcs. Her most celebrated achievement came when she co‑directed Frozen (2013), a cultural phenomenon that broke box‑office records and earned her the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, making her the first woman to helm a Disney animated feature that garnered such acclaim. Lee continued to shape the Disney canon by co‑directing Frozen II (2019) and serving as a producer on several subsequent projects, cementing her reputation as a visionary leader who champions strong, complex female protagonists. Beyond her professional accolades, Lee is married to fellow filmmaker Patrick Osborne, with whom she shares two children, and she is actively involved in mentorship programs that encourage diverse voices in animation. Her influence extends into the broader industry as she advocates for inclusive storytelling, and she remains a pivotal figure shaping the future of animated cinema.