Joe Ranft was an animator, storyboard artist and one of the “Supah Geniuses” at Pixar. He also was the voice actor for a few Pixar characters such as Wheezy, Heimlich and Lenny the Binoculars. During the final production stages of Cars, Joe died in a car accident. It wouldn’t have been right to let his birthday pass with no celebration.
I didn’t become a Pixar fan until after your death, but you seemed like a very giving and creative soul. Your performance of Heimlich always makes me laugh.There is probably an emptiness at Pixar Animation Studios that can never be filled. Happy birthday and RIP Joe.
Leo Holzer has written a lovely tribute to Joe of which you can read here.
Happy Birthday, Joe Ranft. May you rest in peace. I read the tribute and it’s quite touching. I always enjoyed Pixar films, but didn’t become a huge fan until after your death, but looking back at the films you worked on, you definitely were a creative genius… and an inspiration.
My heart goes out to all who knew him. This day surely can’t be an easy one for them.
He was also the voice of Jacques the shrimp in Finding Nemo and Red the firetruck in Cars.
Happy birthday and RIP, Joe Ranft. I also didn’t know of your existence till after Cars (and hence your passing). Thanks for your contributions to the wonderful movies in which your legacy will live on.
"May you celebrate the happiest of birthdays, Mr. Ranft. You were an inspiration, a comfort, and a friend to so many, and you are dearly missed.
My dad used to work with Joe Ranft at Disney Studios — they were good friends back in the day, and whenever he mentioned Joe… he always spoke of him as being a kind and compassionate soul, and a loving Christian. I wish I could have met him….
On behalf of all the lives you’ve touched: Happy Birthday, Joe!"
Happy birthday, Joe Ranft! Your contribution to Pixar was important and will always be remembered. I absolutely loved you as Heimlich, and I only wish that you were able to continue your brilliant work. May you rest in peace.
Happy belated Birthday to not just a core member of Pixar, but influential in the world of animation as a whole! So Happy Birthday Joe, wherever you might be
Happy b-day Joe Ranft and you will be/are already missed dearly. I admit that I didn’t know of you until after you left, but you were a very important person to Pixar in movie making and to all your fans, friends, and your family. Rest in peace, Joe Ranft.
Joe Ranft’s birthday would have been today. I found this wonderful tribute to him and his life, fittingly in storyboards. Judging by the account name it may have been made by John Musker, but I can’t 100% confirm this.
Oh, man, what a beautiful tribute… made me teary. Thanks for posting that link, Bryko. The first time I ever saw/heard of Joe Ranft was from his work on Nightmare Before Christmas, then he started working on the Pixar films. He was such a multi-talented guy, and no one could have made a better, more lovable Heimlich. Happy Birthday, Joe.
He passed away today, but I guess that can be smooshed into the birthday thread. Everyone should watch the video on the previous page. It stuck with me quite a bit.
I had thought you’d just put up this thread… I get it now. Is the video you’re referring to the same one you just put up on the Pixarteers thread?