Lou Romano

Lou Romano is an American animator and voice actor renowned for his versatile contributions to both the visual development and vocal performance realms of modern animation. Born on April 15, 1972 in San Diego, California, he cultivated an early passion for drawing and painting, which later blossomed through formal studies in theater arts at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, followed by animation training at the California Institute of the Arts and workshops at The Groundlings in Los Angeles. Romano’s career launched in the early 1990s with roles ranging from background color designer on The Powerpuff Girls to visual development on The Iron Giant, showcasing his knack for translating narrative concepts into striking visual language. After joining Pixar in 2000, he served as production designer for The Incredibles, a project that earned him a 2005 Annie Award, and lent his voice to characters such as Bernie Kropp (The Incredibles), Snot Rod (Cars), and the beloved Alfredo Linguini in Ratatouille. His artistic work has been exhibited at prestigious venues including the Museum of Modern Art and The Metropolitan Opera’s gallery, and even graced the cover of The New Yorker.

Beyond Pixar, Romano transitioned to Laika in 2009, where he has continued to influence the aesthetic of stop‑motion features as a concept artist and production designer on titles like The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, and The Little Prince. His filmography also reflects a broad range of roles—art director, visual development artist, and even singer—demonstrating a remarkable adaptability across mediums and studios. Romano remains an active figure in the animation community, residing in the Bay Area with his wife, and his work continues to inspire a new generation of creators who admire his blend of artistic vision and vocal talent.