Veteran Disney exec will continue to oversee casting for animated series and movies at the TV animation studio; credits include 100s of animated films, from ‘Lion King II: Simba's Pride’ to Emmy Award-winning ‘Gravity Falls.’
Disney Television Animation (DTA) has promoted David H. Wright III to senior vice president, Casting and Talent Relations. A longstanding member of the Disney animation team, he will continue to oversee all voice casting and talent relations for animated series and movies produced by Disney Television Animation. Wright reports to Meredith Roberts, senior vice president/general manager, Television Animation, Disney Branded Television.
The Casting and Talent Relations team reporting to Wright includes Aaron Drown, Jennifer Trujillo-Andres, Julia Pleasants, Kristin Paiva, Tatiana Bull, Colleen O'Donnell, and Jennifer Klocki.
"Everyone in the animation voice-acting industry knows that Dave and his impressive team together are the proverbial wheel that keeps our Disney Television Animation creative community so vibrant and so fun,” commented Roberts. “With the benefit of Dave's leadership, we cast the best in the field and take chances on fantastic new voice talent too, and he's intrinsically motivated by the creative collaboration and true service his team renders for the good of the content and for the fans of animation. This promotion acknowledges his leadership and daily contribution to Disney's creative vision."
Joining Walt Disney Pictures and Television as a talent coordinator in 1997, Wright has worked on hundreds of animated films beginning with Lion King II: Simba's Pride and television series starting with Disney's Pepper Ann. His other series credits include Emmy Award-winning Gravity Falls and Phineas and Ferb, DuckTales, Star Wars Rebels, and The Lion Guard.
In 2013, Wright was named vice president of Casting and Talent Relations. He led the team responsible for casting all Disney Television Animation's series and movies, including Emmy Award winning Elena of Avalor and the multiple Emmy Award- and Annie Award-winning Mickey Mouse shorts. The team is currently overseeing casting of more than 40 productions.
Wright’s film and video credits include the English-language version of Hayao Miyazaki's Oscar winning Spirited Away, Return to Neverland and The Fox and the Hound 2.
In addition to working with voice directors, he also provides animation casting and recording guidance for many of Disney's global partners, creating original animation in the U.K. and Canada.
Wright began his casting and animation career in 1994 with Marvel Productions, working on such popular series as Iron Man, Fantastic Four and The Incredible Hulk. In 1996, he joined Columbia Tri-Star Television and worked on the animated series Extreme Ghostbusters and Men in Black.
Source: Disney Branded Television
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
