Jennifer Lee (filmmaker)

Jennifer Lee
Lee in 2015
Born
Jennifer Michelle Rebecchi

(1971-10-22) October 22, 1971 (age 53)
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
EducationUniversity of New Hampshire (BA)
Columbia University (MFA)
Occupations
  • screenwriter
  • film director
  • film producer
  • playwright
Years active2004–present
EmployerWalt Disney Animation Studios (2011–present)
Spouses
Robert Joseph Monn
​
​
(m. 1999, divorced)​
​
(m. 2021)​
Children1
AwardsAcademy Award for Best Animated Feature
Frozen (2013)

Jennifer Michelle Lee (born Rebecchi; October 22, 1971)[1] is an American filmmaker and playwright. She served as the chief creative officer (CCO) of Walt Disney Animation Studios from 2018 to 2024, before stepping down to return to full-time filmmaking.[2][3] She is best known as the writer and one of the directors of Frozen (2013) and its sequel Frozen 2 (2019), the former of which earned her an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Besides being the first female CCO of Walt Disney Animation Studios, Lee was the first female director of a Walt Disney Animation Studios feature film[4] and the first female director of two feature films that each earned more than $1 billion in gross box office revenue.[5][6]

  1. ^ Perry, Valerie A. (January 21, 1995). "Legal Notices (Probate Court of the City of East Providence)". Providence Journal. The Providence Journal Company. p. B-14. This article lists various matters noticed for hearing before the probate court, of which the relevant one is as follows: "REBECCHI, JENNIFER MICHELLE, estate - Change of name to Jennifer Michelle Lee; for hearing January 24, 1995." Available via ProQuest NewsStand.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference VarCCO was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference McClintock was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Kit, Borys (December 18, 2013). "'Frozen' Director Wants to Break a Sci-Fi Blockbuster Barrier". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 26, 2022. Lee, 42, is the first woman in the studio's history to act as a director on one of its animated features (she co-directed with Chris Buck).
  5. ^ Ulaby, Neda (August 6, 2023). "'Barbie' is the only billion-dollar blockbuster solely directed by a woman". NPR. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  6. ^ Flores, Terry (June 10, 2014). "'Frozen's' Jennifer Lee Melts Glass Ceilings". Variety. Variety Media LLC. Retrieved June 16, 2014.