Conrad Vernon

{{short description|American film and television director, storyboard artist, writer and voice actor}}

{{Infobox person

| image =

| name = Conrad Vernon

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|7|11}}

| birth_place = Lubbock, Texas, U.S.

| nationality =

| occupation = {{hlist|Director|producer|writer|storyboard artist|voice actor}}

| years_active = 1991–present

| spouse =

| children =

}}

Conrad Vernon (born July 11, 1968){{cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.fr/perso/index.php?langue=6002&personne=3114684 |title=Cannes Film festival: Conrad Vernon |access-date=2006-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060202115219/http://www.festival-cannes.fr/perso/index.php?langue=6002&personne=3114684 |archive-date=2006-02-02 |url-status=dead}} is an American director, producer, writer, storyboard artist and voice actor, best known for his work on the DreamWorks animated film series Shrek as well as other films such as Monsters vs. Aliens and Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted. He also co-directed non-DreamWorks animated films such as Sony Pictures' Sausage Party and MGM's The Addams Family.

Life and career

Conrad Vernon was born on July 11, 1968, a native of Lubbock, Texas, studied at CalArts and worked as a storyboard artist for animated productions (including Ralph Bakshi's Cool World);{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficepro.com/the-addams-family-2019-conrad-vernon-greg-tiernan/|title=A Very Animated Family Reunion: Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan Bring The Addams Family Back to Its Roots|date=October 8, 2019|website=Boxoffice|access-date=October 11, 2019|archive-date=October 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011195643/https://www.boxofficepro.com/the-addams-family-2019-conrad-vernon-greg-tiernan/|url-status=live}} he also directed Morto the Magician (a four-minute animated film written by Steve Martin).{{Cite web|url=https://animatedviews.com/2009/monsters-vs-aliens-conrad-vernon-vs-animated-views/|title=Monsters vs Aliens: Conrad Vernon vs Animated Views! – Animated Views|access-date=2019-10-11|archive-date=2019-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011194643/https://animatedviews.com/2009/monsters-vs-aliens-conrad-vernon-vs-animated-views/|url-status=live}}

Vernon began his career in 1991.{{cite news|title=Madagascar 3 Europe's Most Wanted - Production Information|url=http://www.festival-cannes.fr/assets/Image/Direct/045136.pdf|access-date=May 29, 2012|newspaper=Festival Cannes|author=DreamWorks Animation|page=17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102211538/http://www.festival-cannes.fr/assets/Image/Direct/045136.pdf|archive-date=January 2, 2013|url-status=dead}} In 1996, he joined DreamWorks, where he worked as a storyboard artist on Antz. After Antz proved a success as the first animated feature film to be produced by DreamWorks Animation, Vernon signed on as a writer for Shrek, where he was responsible for the Gingerbread Man, and eventually voiced that character. He also appeared in Shrek 4-D and Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas.

In June 2004, he made his feature film directorial debut with the Academy Award-nominated Shrek 2 alongside Andrew Adamson and Kelly Asbury. He voiced Mason the chimpanzee for the DreamWorks Animation films Madagascar, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (for which he is also credited as director) and its spin off Penguins of Madagascar (where he voiced Rico, one of the penguins) and reprised the voice of Mason in the television series.

In 2009, Vernon and Rob Letterman co-directed the 3D animated film Monsters vs. Aliens, which he co-wrote and supplied several voices.

Vernon and Greg Tiernan co-directed the adult animated comedy Sausage Party (2016), from a story by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Jonah Hill, as well as providing some of the voices. Vernon next co-produced and co-directed, again with Tiernan, an animated version of The Addams Family, which was released in October 2019. He supplied voice roles for both Sausage Party and The Addams Family, including Lurch in the latter. He was scheduled to return as director alongside Tiernan for The Addams Family 2, released in October 2021. In October 2020, it was announced that he would no longer be involved as director, though he ultimately received co-billing with Tiernan.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/the-addams-family-2-bill-hader-javon-wanna-walton-join-voice-cast-1234593614/|title='The Addams Family 2': Bill Hader & Javon "Wanna" Walton Join Voice Cast|date=October 8, 2020|author=Anthony D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008162155/https://deadline.com/2020/10/the-addams-family-2-bill-hader-javon-wanna-walton-join-voice-cast-1234593614/|archive-date=October 8, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=October 8, 2020}}

In 2017, Vernon was hired to direct an animated feature adaptation of The Jetsons, from a screenplay by Matt Lieberman, which is being made by Warner Bros., under its Warner Animation Group banner.{{Cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/402671-the-jetsons-planned-as-animated-feature|title=The Jetsons Planned as Animated Feature|date=January 23, 2015|website=ComingSoon.net|access-date=January 30, 2019|archive-date=January 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127011007/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/402671-the-jetsons-planned-as-animated-feature|url-status=live}}[https://variety.com/2017/film/news/anitmated-jetsons-movie-sausage-party-director-1202444840/ Animated 'Jetsons' Movie to Lift Off With 'Sausage Party' Director] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090521/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/anitmated-jetsons-movie-sausage-party-director-1202444840/ |date=2019-03-27 }}, in Variety

Filmography

=Film=

class="wikitable"
Year

! Title

! Director

! Producer

! Notes

2001

| Morto the Magician

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

| Short film

2004

| Shrek 2

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

| Co-director with Andrew Adamson and Kelly Asbury

2009

| Monsters vs. Aliens

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

| Co-director with Rob Letterman

2012

| Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

| Co-director with Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath

2016

|Sausage Party{{cite web|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|title=Paul Rudd, Danny McBride, Anders Holm Join 'Sausage Party' Voice Cast|url=http://www.thewrap.com/paul-rudd-danny-mcbride-anders-holm-join-sausage-party-voice-cast/|publisher=The Wrap|access-date=May 30, 2014|date=May 29, 2014|archive-date=May 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531073531/http://www.thewrap.com/paul-rudd-danny-mcbride-anders-holm-join-sausage-party-voice-cast/|url-status=live}}

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| rowspan="3" | Co-director with Greg Tiernan

2019

|The Addams Family{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title='Sausage Party' Director Tackling 'The Addams Family' (Exclusive)|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/sausage-party-director-tackling-addams-family-1048373|access-date=October 14, 2017|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 12, 2017|archive-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013054143/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/sausage-party-director-tackling-addams-family-1048373|url-status=live}}

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

2021

| The Addams Family 2{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/2019/11/06/addams-family-sequel-hopes-directors-interview/|title=The Addams Family Directors Explain Their Approach to the Upcoming Sequel|website=Movies|language=en|access-date=2019-11-06|archive-date=2020-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014005401/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/addams-family-sequel-hopes-directors-interview/|url-status=live}}

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

2026

| Shrek 5

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

| Co-director with Walt Dohrn

TBA

| The Jetsons{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/01/the-jetsons-animated-feature-warner-brothers-1201356816/|title=Warner Bros Plots 'The Jetsons' Animated Feature; Matt Lieberman Writing|first1=Mike Jr.|last1=Fleming|date=24 January 2015|access-date=1 January 2019|archive-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125135956/http://deadline.com/2015/01/the-jetsons-animated-feature-warner-brothers-1201356816/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/entertainment/jetsons-movie-ready-blast-off-production/l937TPT8C3nYHYROvUawBJ/|title='Jetsons' movie ready to blast off production|first=Natalie|last=Natalie|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|access-date=2019-01-01|archive-date=2019-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501181113/https://www.ajc.com/entertainment/jetsons-movie-ready-blast-off-production/l937TPT8C3nYHYROvUawBJ/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/05/26/jetsons-animated-movie-in-the-works-with-sausage-party-director|title=Jetsons Animated Movie in the Works With Sausage Party Director|last=ChrisXMorgan|date=26 May 2017|access-date=1 January 2019|archive-date=1 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101100957/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/05/26/jetsons-animated-movie-in-the-works-with-sausage-party-director|url-status=live}}

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

|{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/anitmated-jetsons-movie-sausage-party-director-1202444840/|title=Animated 'Jetsons' Movie Lifting off With 'Sausage Party' Director|last=McNary|first=Dave|work=Variety|date=January 23, 2015|access-date=May 25, 2017|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090521/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/anitmated-jetsons-movie-sausage-party-director-1202444840/|url-status=live}}

==Acting roles==

class="wikitable"
Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

1999

| Herd

| Pesion

| Live-action role

rowspan="2"| 2001

| Shrek

| rowspan="3"| Gingerbread Man

|

Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party

| Short film

rowspan="2"| 2003

| Shrek 4-D

|

Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

| Jed

|

rowspan="2" |2004

| Shrek 2

| Gingerbread Man, Cedric, Announcer, Mongo, Muffin Man

|

Far Far Away Idol

| Gingerbread Man

| Short film

2005

| Madagascar

| Mason

|

2005

| The Barnyard (pitch)

|

|

2006

| Flushed Away

| Take Out

|

rowspan="2"| 2007

| Shrek the Third

| Gingerbread Man, Rumpelstiltskin, Headless Horseman

|

Bee Movie

| Freddy

|

2008

| Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

| Mason

|

2009

| Monsters vs. Aliens

| Advisor Hawk, Advisor Dither, Minister, Secret Service Man #2, Mama Dietl

|

2010

| Shrek Forever After

| Gingerbread Man, Muffin Man

|

rowspan="2"| 2011

| Kung Fu Panda 2

| Boar

|

Puss in Boots

| Raoul

|

2012

| Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

| Mason

|

2014

| Penguins of Madagascar{{cite news|last1=Berkshire|first1=Geoff|title=Film Review: 'Penguins of Madagascar'|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-penguins-of-madagascar-1201353894/|access-date=November 12, 2014|work=Variety|date=November 12, 2014|archive-date=November 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115160414/http://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-penguins-of-madagascar-1201353894/|url-status=live}}

| Rico

|

2016

| Sausage Party

| Toilet paper, Sauerkraut, Grape, Catcall sausage, Beer can, Pop bottle

|

rowspan=2| 2017

|The Boss Baby

| Eugene Francis

|

The Emoji Movie

| Trojan Horse

|

rowspan=2|2019

|Trouble

|Otis

|

The Addams Family

| Lurch, Priest, Spirit of the House, Dr. Flambe, Ggerri

|

2021

|The Addams Family 2

| Lurch, Spirit of the House

|

2022

|Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

| Gingerbread Man

|

==Other credits==

class="wikitable"
Year

! Title

! Role

1991

| No Neck Joe

| Special thanks

1992

| Cool World

| Character designer
Effects animator

1998

| Antz

| Storyboard artist

2000

| The Road to El Dorado

| Additional storyboard artist

2001

| Shrek

| Additional dialogue/story artist/writer: "Merry Men"

2001

| The Human Spinning-Top

| Writer of episode XII "The Human Spinning-Top is a dangerous hero" And Additional storyboard artist

2003

| Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

|rowspan=2| Additional storyboard artist

rowspan="2" | 2004

| Shark Tale

Shrek 2

|Additional dialogue

rowspan="2"| 2005

| Madagascar

| Creative consultant

The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper

| Creative consultant;
Short film

2006

| Over the Hedge

| Story artist

2009

| Monsters vs. Aliens

| Story writer

2016

| Trolls

| Additional story artist

rowspan=2| 2017

| Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie

| Special thanks

The Emoji Movie

| Additional sequence director

2019

| The Addams Family

| Story writer

=Television=

class="wikitable"
Year

! Title

! Notes

1993

| Rocko's Modern Life

| Storyboard artist, additional writer

1993–94

| 2 Stupid Dogs

| Storyboard artist

1993–96

| The Itsy Bitsy Spider

| Director

1996

| Dexter's Laboratory

| Storyboard artist, layout artist

1997

| Nightmare Ned

| Storyboard artist

2012

| The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange

| Executive Producer, storyboard artist

rowspan="2" | 2024–present

| Rock Paper Scissors

| Executive Producer{{Cite web |date=2023-12-23 |title=ToonHive on X: "Official promo for 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' The series will premiere on Nickelodeon on Monday, February 12." / X |url=https://twitter.com/ToonHive/status/1739478917528924336 |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Twitter |language=en-US}}

Sausage Party: Foodtopia

| Director

2025–present

| Wylde Pak

| Executive Producer{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=March 11, 2025 |title=Nickelodeon Announces Brand-New Animated Series 'Wylde Pak' |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/03/nickelodeon-announces-brand-new-animated-series-wylde-pak/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250311152716/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/03/nickelodeon-announces-brand-new-animated-series-wylde-pak/ |archive-date=March 11, 2025 |access-date=March 12, 2025 |website=Animation Magazine |language=en-US}}

==Acting roles==

class="wikitable"
Year

! Title

! Role

2007

| Shrek the Halls

| Gingerbread Man

2009–12

| The Penguins of Madagascar

| Mason

2009

| Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space

| Man on Cell, Woman

rowspan="2"| 2010

| Scared Shrekless

| Gingerbread Man, Muffin Man

Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special

| Boar

rowspan="2" | 2012

| The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange

| Various

Gravity Falls

| Tate McGucket

References

{{reflist}}