Tom McGrath (animator) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tom McGrath
McGrath at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con
Born	Thomas McGrath Lynnwood, Washington, U.S.
Occupation	Voice actor animator film director screenwriter
Years active	1988–present
Employer	DreamWorks Animation (1994–present)
Notable work	Madagascar Megamind The Boss Baby
Spouse(s)	Brieanne Cameron ​ (m. 2017)​

Thomas McGrath is a talented American filmmaker, voice actor, and animator. He is best known for creating some of your favorite animated movies. He helped bring the Madagascar films to life, co-directing and co-writing them. He also voiced the super-smart penguin leader, Skipper!

Tom McGrath directed other popular movies like Megamind and The Boss Baby. These films have entertained millions and even received important awards. He also directed The Boss Baby: Family Business, which came out in 2021.

Tom McGrath's Journey in Animation

Early Life and Creative Beginnings

Tom McGrath grew up in Lynnwood, Washington, in the United States. He loved art and design from a young age. He studied Industrial Design at the University of Washington. Later, he went to the California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts). This school is famous for teaching students how to create amazing animated characters.

Bringing Characters to Life

Tom McGrath started his career working on many different animation projects. He was an animator for movies like Cool World and Space Jam. An animator draws or creates the moving pictures you see on screen. He also worked as a storyboard artist and director for The Ren & Stimpy Show. A storyboard artist draws comic-book-like panels to plan out a movie or show scene by scene. He also helped plan scenes for the live-action film Cats & Dogs.

He also contributed to How the Grinch Stole Christmas by designing props and sets. Props are the objects characters use, and sets are the places where the action happens. Before the movie Flushed Away was released, Tom McGrath helped make it even better.

Directing and Voicing Iconic Characters

Tom McGrath made his big debut as a film director with Madagascar in 2005. He co-directed and co-wrote this hit movie with Eric Darnell. He also gave his voice to the clever and funny penguin leader, Skipper! Kids everywhere loved Skipper and his penguin team.

He continued to work on the Madagascar series. He voiced Skipper and helped direct Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted. He was also a creative consultant for The Penguins of Madagascar TV show, where he continued to voice Skipper.

In 2010, Tom McGrath directed the superhero comedy Megamind. This movie tells the story of a supervillain who becomes a hero.

Later, in 2017, he directed The Boss Baby. This funny movie is about a baby who is secretly a business executive. It was so popular that it received nominations for important awards like the Academy Award. Tom McGrath returned to direct the sequel, The Boss Baby: Family Business, which came out in 2021.

Tom McGrath's Work in Film and TV

Feature Films

Short Films

Television Series

Video Games