Chris Miller (animator)


Christopher Matthew Miller is an American animator, director, and voice actor employed by Paramount Animation and formerly DreamWorks Animation. He is best known for directing Shrek the Third and Puss in Boots and for voicing The Magic Mirror from the Shrek film series and Kowalski the penguin in the Madagascar film series. At Paramount Animation, he was the leader, director, and star of the Smurfs, in which he provided the voices of Grouchy Smurf and Camouflage.

Early life

Miller was born on January 20, 1968, in Washington, D.C. He studied animation at the California Institute of Arts.

Career

In an interview with Robert K. Elder for The Film That Changed My Life, Miller attributes his success in film to Sleeper. "I would be penniless and drunk on the corner, begging for cash, if I had not seen the film Sleeper. I guarantee you."
In 2011, Miller directed Puss in Boots, a spin-off and sequel to the Shrek franchise. His wife, Laura Gorenstein Miller, worked as a dance choreographer.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1988The Thing What Lurked in the TubLugmeyer
1988Lea Press on LimbsDirector
1989The CellarWilly Cashen
1992Cool WorldKey clean-up artist
1997Officer Buckle and GloriaStoryboard artist
1998AntzStoryboard artist
2001ShrekGeppetto, Magic MirrorStory artist/additional dialogue
2003Sinbad: Legend of the Seven SeasTower GuardAdditional story artist
2004Shrek 2Humphries, Magic MirrorHead of story/additional dialogue
2004Shark TaleAdditional storyboard artist
2005MadagascarKowalskiStory artist
2007Shrek the ThirdPuppet Master, Announcer, Mascot, Singing VillainDirector/screenplay
2008Madagascar: Escape 2 AfricaKowalski
2009Monsters vs. AliensAdvisor Cole, Army Commander JonesAdditional story artist
2010Shrek Forever AfterRoyal Messenger, Magic Mirror, Geppetto
2011Puss in BootsLittle Boy Blue, Friar Miller, Prison Guard, Manual, RafaelDirector
2012Madagascar 3: Europe's Most WantedKowalski
2013TurboTour Bus Driver
2014Penguins of MadagascarKowalski
2017The Boss BabyCaptain Ross
2017Captain Underpants: The First Epic MovieNobel Audience Member
2025SmurfsGrouchy / Camouflage Director
TBAUntitled wish-themed projectDirector