Development on what became Zootopia began when Byron Howard pitched 6 story ideas to John Lasseter, 3 involving animal characters. One was an all-animal adaptation of The Three Musketeers. Another comprised of a mad scientist cat who turns children into animals. While a third focused on a bounty hunter pug in space. With the common thread through these ideas was Howard’s wish to do a film similar to Disney’s Robin Hood. Either where anthropomorphic animals live in the natural world or the human world. Lasseter liked his idea about animals living in a modern world designed by animals for animals. He then suggested that Howard should combine the 1960s theme with the animal characters, particularly the space pug. This led Howard to develop the pitch Savage Seas an international spy thriller centered on a James Bondlike Arctic hare named “Jack Savage.” Because his father and grandfather worked for the CIA, screenwriter Jared Bush signed on. As Howard and Bush developed the film, the 1960s spy thriller concept was later dropped in favor of a police procedural where Nick Wilde would be the lead and Judy Hopps would be his sidekick. Until the roles were reversed. Research for the film took place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as well as in Kenya and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park where the animators spent 8 months studying various animals’ walk cycles as well as fur color. To make the animals’ fur even more realistic, they went to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County to closely observe fur’s appearance with a microscope under a variety of lighting. For Zootopia’s urban design, the filmmakers drew inspiration from major cities including New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Paris, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Brasilia. To develop a city filled with talking animals ranging from 2 in. to 27 ft and from drastically different climates, filmmakers consulted Americans with Disabilities Act specialists and HVAC system designers. For assistance with designing vehicles for many different sized animals, they consulted with former Ford chief creative officer J. Mays. Upon its 2016 release, Zootopia was a critical success and a box office smash with $1 billion in earnings. It also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature that year.

              Earlier drafts of a Finding Nemo sequel included an introduction of Nemo’s long-lost twin brother and a storyline where Marlin is caught and must be saved. Yet, Disney’s acquisition of Pixar later shot this down. Work on Finding Dory began in 2012. In a 2016 interview Andrew Stanton described how its story came to be: “I don’t watch my films that often after they’re done because I have to watch them so many times before they come out. So about 2010 when we were getting Finding Nemo ready for the 10-year re-release in 3D, it was interesting to watch again after all that time. Something kind of got lodged in the back of my brain and started to sort of stew. I started to think about how easily Dory could get lost and not find Marlin and Nemo again. She basically was in the same state that she was when Marlin found her. I didn’t know where she was from. I knew that she had spent most of her youth wandering the ocean alone, and I wanted to know that she could find her new family, if she ever got lost again. It’s almost like the parental side of me was worried.” Stanton later selected Victoria Sprouse to write the screenplay. She later pointed that writing Dory’s forgetfulness was a challenge adding, “You don’t realize until you sit down to write a character who can’t remember things how integral memory is to absolutely everything we do, and that’s what creates a narrative that people can follow. When a main character can’t self-reflect and can’t tell a story, that character is very difficult to design because she can’t really lead. To get her to be able to lead and to get an audience to be able to trust her was the hardest thing to do.” The fictional Marine Life Institute is based on the production team’s research trips to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, the Marine Mammal Center, and the Vancouver Aquarium. Initially some of the animals were supposed to end up in a SeaWorld-like marine park. But after several Pixar executives watched Blackfish, the ending was revised giving them the option to leave. Upon its 2016 release, Finding Dory received positive reviews and earned $1.029 billion at the box office. Although it’s no masterpiece compared to its predecessor, Finding Dory is a solid follow up.

              The genesis of Moana began in 2011 when John Musker began reading up on Polynesian mythology and learned about the heroic exploits of the demigod Maui. Fascinated with the rich Polynesian culture, Musker felt that this would be a good subject for an animated film. Shortly thereafter, John Musker and Ron Clements wrote a treatment that they pitched to John Lasseter, recommending that the two men go on research trips. In 2012, Musker and Clements went on research trips to Fiji, Samoa, and Tahiti to meet the people of the South Pacific Ocean and learn about their culture. At first, they planned to make the film entirely about Maui. But their research trips led Clements to pitch a new idea about a chief’s daughter. What particularly interested Clements and Musker during their research was that the Polynesian people abruptly stopped making long-distance voyages about 3,000 years ago. Especially since Polynesian navigational tradition have existed as early as 300 CE. While native Pacific Islanders possessed knowledge of the world and their place in it before the Europeans came in. With this voyaging heritage made possible by a geographical knowledge system based on individual perspective. The reasons behind this halt to this wayfaring tradition aren’t known but scholars have suggested climate change along with changes in wind patterns and ocean currents. Yet, native peoples resumed voyaging again a thousand years later, which was where Musker and Clements placed the setting for Moana. Upon its release in 2016, Moana was a critical success and grossed $687 million at the box offices as well as received 2 Academy Award nominations. In this post, we’ll meet filmmaker Jared Bush as well as the voices behind Stu Hopps, Yax, Mayor Lionheart, Mrs. Otterton, Finnick, Moana, Tala, and Chief Tui.

451. Don Lake

Dates: 1956-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Toronto, Ontario in Canada. After graduating from the California Institute of the Arts, he returned to his hometown to join The Second City Touring Company and later got promoted to The Second City.

Movies and Cartoons: Zootopia (2016) as well as the series Zootopia+ and Pepper Ann.

Characters: Stu Hopps

Also Known For: Canadian actor, writer, and television producer who’s frequently cast in Christopher Guest movies. Best known as Dr. Carl Whitehorn in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Film appearances include Police Academy, Hot Shots!, Dumb & Dumber To, Corner Gas: The Movie, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Super Mario Bros. (1993), Don’t Answer the Phone!, Lookin’ to Get Out, The Pink Chiquitas, The Big Town, Blue Monkey, Short Circuit 2, Something About Love, Speed Zone, Wagons East, Waiting for Guffman, RocketMan, Return to Me, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration, Grudge Match, Mascots, and Downsizing. TV appearances include The Dating Game, The SCTV Network, The Littlest Hobo, Hot Shots, Really Weird Tales, Super Dave, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Murphy Brown, Mr. Belvedere, Not Necessarily the News, My Two Dads, The Dave Thomas Comedy Show, My Talk Show, Doctor Doctor, The Golden Girls, Empty Nest, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures, Blossom, L.A. Law, Super Dave: Daredevil for Hire, The Building, Ellen, Bonnie, Murder One, The Wild Thornberrys, Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Watching Ellie, Life with Bonnie, Rugrats, The New Adventures of Old Christine, American Dad!, The Bonnie Hunt Show, Psych, $h*! My Dad Says, Modern Family, Last Man Standing, How I Met Your Mother, Family Tree, Anger Management, The Odd Couple, NCIS, Pup Academy, Summer Camp Island, The Resident, Space Force, Not Dead Yet, and Ted.

Personal Life: Married to a woman named Claire. Has 2 children.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Is a close friend and collaborator of Bonnie Hunt.

452. Tommy Chong

Dates: 1938-present

Early Life and Career: Born Thomas B. Kin Chong in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada. Father was a Chinese immigrant who came to Canada in the 1930s. Mother was white. Claimed that he’d “been wounded in World War II and there was a veterans’ hospital in Calgary. He bought a $500 house in Dog Patch and raised his family on $50 a week.” During his childhood, his family moved to Calgary where they settled in a conservative neighborhood Chong referred to as “Dog Patch.” Dropped out of Crescent Heights High School “when I was 16 but probably just before they were going to throw me out anyway.” After that, he played guitar to earn his keep stating “I discovered that music could get you laid, even if you were a scrawny, long-haired, geeky-looking guy like me.” By the early 1960s, Chong was performing guitar in a Calgary soul group called what would later become Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers. In 1963, he opened a nightclub with bandmate Bobby Taylor called the “Blues Palace” and brought in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. They later built up a small following, released 3 singles, recorded an album under Gordy Records (a Motown Records subsidiary), and followed an opening act called the Jackson 5 while on tour in Chicago. Unfortunately, Chong and fellow bandmate Wes Henderson missed a Friday performance to apply for green cards so they can be American citizens. As a result, Chong was fired for being late to the gig. He was later fired as a result and received a $5,000 severance from Berry Gordy himself. The group broke up shortly afterward. He then teamed up with Cheech Marin during the 1970s and early 1980s and the rest is history.

Movies and Cartoons: Zootopia (2016)

Characters: Yax

Also Known For: Canadian-American actor, comedian, musician and activist best known as part of the Cheech & Chong comedy act during the 1970s and early 1980s in which they released many comedy albums and 7 films as well as Leo in That ‘70s Show. Film appearances include Up in Smoke, Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie, Nice Dreams, It Came from Hollywood, Things Are Tough All Over, Still Smokin,’ Yellowbeard, Cheech & Chong’s The Corsican Brothers, Get Out of My Room, After Hours, Tripwire, Far Out Man, Life After Sex, FernGully: The Last Rainforest, National Lampoon’s Senior Trip, McHale’s Navy, Half Baked, The Wash, High Times’ Potluck, Pauly Shore Is Dead, Evil Bong, American Drug War: The Last White Hope, The Union: The Business Behind Getting High, Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil, Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie, Color Out of Space, and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. TV appearances include Miami Vice, The George Carlin Show, Nash Bridges, Dharma & Greg, South Park, George Lopez, MADtv, Tosh.0, WWE Raw, The Simpsons, Franklin and Bash, Raising Hope, Dancing with the Stars, Uncle Grandpa, Trailer Park Boys: Out of the Park: USA, The Masked Singer, That ‘90s Show, and Lopez vs. Lopez.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Maxine Sneed from 1960 to their divorce in 1970. They raised 2 daughters named Rae Dawn and Robbi who became actresses. Second and current marriage is to actress Shelby Fiddis since 1975. They have 4 children including actor Marcus Wyatt whom they adopted. Former brother-in-law of drummer Floyd Sneed and former father-in-law of actor C. Thomas Howell.

Later Life: Became a naturalized US citizen during the late 1980s. Split up with Cheech in 1985 due to creative differences and Marin’s desire to go mainstream in his acting career. The two reunited in 2000 for a South Park episode and started touring in mid-2008. Is a regular contributor to Cannabis Culture Magazine and sits on NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) advisory board. In 2003, Chong became embroiled in 2 American pot-related investigations, code-named Operation Pipe Dreams and Operation Headhunter, which tried to trace drug traffic through businesses selling drug paraphernalia, mostly bongs. Based in Pittsburgh and overseen by US Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan, Operation Pipe Dreams cost $12 million and included 2,000 law enforcement officers. 55 companies that sold drug paraphernalia over the internet were subject to the investigation, with Nice Dreams being one. Although Chong Glass/Nice Dreams was founded by Chong’s son Paris, Chong himself was charged with financing and promoting the company. Chong in turn, plead guilty to distributing 7,500 bongs on the web through Nice Dreams to spare his wife Shelby and his son Paris from federal prosecution. He was the first Operation Pipe Dreams defendant to plead guilty. Although Chong argued for house arrest and community service at his sentencing, District Judge Arthur J. Schwab denied his requests and sentenced him to 9 months in federal prison, a fine of $20,000, and a forfeiture of $103, 514 and the loss of all merchandise seized  during the raid of his business. Chong served his sentence at the Taft Correctional Institution from 2003-2004 where he shared his cell of “The Wolf of Wall Street” Jordan Belfort, who credits him with encouraging Belfort to write his memoirs. The two still remain friends. Published his memoirs called I, Chong: Meditations from the Joint in 2006. In 2008, federal agents raided Spectrum Labs in an investigation related to its “detoxification” products that was one of 9 conducted for Operation True Test. This was another investigation spearheaded by Buchanan that targeted companies selling so-called “masking products” intended to help drug users pass employer drug tests. Chong later claimed that federal agents had seized 8,000 – 10,000 DVD copies of the yet-to-be released documentary a/k/a Tommy Chong from Spectrum Labs. But their attorney said that no DVDs were taken. Had prostate cancer in 2012 and said he was drug free for 3 years before then. Battled colorectal cancer in 2015. Announced he was cancer free in 2019.

Trivia: Was the original choice to voice Shenzi in The Lion King (1994) but the character later underwent a sex change and was played by Whoopi Goldberg. Won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album in 1973 with Cheech Marin for Los Cochinos. Has smoked marijuana with Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Arnold Schwarzeneggar and his body building buddies, and all the Beatles except for Paul McCartney. Favorite smoking buddy was George Harrison.

453. J.K. Simmons

Dates: 1955-present

Early Life and Career: Born Jonathan Kimble Simmons in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Mother was an administrator. Father was a music teacher. Attended Ferry Elementary School in Groose Pointe Woods until he was 10. In 1965, his family moved to Worthington, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. From 1970-1972, he attended Worthington High School where he participated in drama, football, and choir. In 1973, his family moved to Missoula, Montana where his dad became director of the School of Music at the University of Montana. The younger Simmons graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and was member of the music-oriented fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Appeared at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse in Bigfork, Montana in various roles from 1977 to 1982. Later moved to Seattle and joined the Seattle Repertory Theatre where he met his best friend Michael Smith. Landed his first role on Broadway in 1992.

Movies and Cartoons: Zootopia (2016) and Chip n’ Dale Rescue Rangers (2020) as well as several series.

Characters: Leodore Lionheart and Captain Putty

Also Known For: One of the most prolific and well-established character actors of his generation, amassing over 200 credits since his 1986 debut. Best known as William Frawley in Being the Ricardos, J. Jonah Jameson in almost every Spider-Man franchise and in the MCU, Santa Claus in Klaus and Red One, Vernon Schillinger in Oz, Dr. Emil Skoda in Law & Order, Assistant Police Chief Will Pope in The Closer, Howard Silk in Counterpart, Captain Hook in Peter Pan (1991), Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls (1992), Cave Johnson in Portal 2, White Knight in Generator Rex, Tenzin in The Legend of Korra, Stanford “Ford” Pines in Gravity Falls, Kai in Kung Fu Panda 3, Martin Smarty in Kim Possible, Nolan Grayson/Omni-Man in Invincible and Mortal Kombat 1, and General Ketheric Thorm in Baldur’s Gate 3. Has voiced the Yellow M&M in commercials since 1992 and is the current spokesman for Farmers’ Insurance. Film appearances include Whiplash, The Cider House Rules, Thank You for Smoking, Juno, Burn After Reading, Up in the Air, Jennifer’s Body, La La Land, Justice League, Palm Springs, Juror No. 2, The Ref, The Scout, The First Wives Club, Extreme Measures, The Jackal, Anastasia (1997), For the Love of the Game, The Gift, Autumn in New York, Hidalgo, The Ladykillers (2004), Pom Poko, The Astronaut Farmer, Rendition, The Vicious Kind, Postal, Red Sands, I Love You, Man, Aliens in the Attic, Post Grad, Extract, 4192: The Crowning of Hit King, Megamind, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, True Grit (2010), The Good Doctor, Young Adult, Contraband, Jobs, Dark Skies, Labor Day, Barefoot, Break Point, April and the Extraordinary World, Terminator Genisys, The Meddler, Punching Henry, The Accountant, Patriots Day, I’m Not Here, The Snowman, Father Figures, A Boy Called Sailboat, The Boxcar Children, The Front Runner, 3 Days with Dad, 21 Bridges, Seal Team, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Marmaduke, One Day of the Lion, Rally Road Racers, The Union, Saturday Night, and The Accountant 2. TV appearances include Popeye Doyle, All My Children, New York Undercover, Spin City, Saturday Night Live, Third Watch, John Doe, Everwood, 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story, ER, The D.A., Without a Trace, The Jury, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, Justice League Unlimited, Jack & Bobby, Numb3rs, The West Wing, The Simpsons, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, American Dad!, Ben 10: Alien Force, The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, Party Down, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Raising Hope, Pound Puppies, Robot Chicken, Men at Work, The Venture Bros., Parks and Recreation, Growing Up Fisher, BoJack Horseman, Archer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Brockmire, Veronica Mars, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Defending Jacob, The Stand, The Great North, Infinity Train, Goliath, Night Sky, and Grimsburg. Video game appearances include M&M’s The Lost Formulas and Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3. Stage appearances include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Little Night Music, Birds of Paradise, Dandy Dick!, and Laughter on the 23^rd Floor.

Personal Life: Has been married to film director Michelle Scumacher since 1996. They have a daughter named Olivia and a son named Joe who are both actors.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Whiplash in 2014. Has also won a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Threw the ceremonial first pitch at the Detroit Tigers’ opening game in 2015. Was appointed King of Bacchus by the Krewe of Bacchus for Mardi Gras in 2018.

454. Octavia Spencer

Dates: 1970-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Montgomery, Alabama as one of 7 children. Mother worked as a maid. Father died when she was 15. Graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in 1988. Studied at Auburn University at Montgomery and graduated from Auburn University where she majored in English, journalism, and theater. Later worked as an intern on the set of The Long Walk Home. Made her film debut in 1996 as a nurse in A Time to Kill.

Movies and Cartoons: Zootopia (2016) and Onward (2020) as well as the series Wizards of Waverly Place.

Characters: Mrs. Otterton and “Corey” The Manticore

Also Known For: Actress best known as Dorothy Vaughn in Hidden Figures, and Madam C. J. Walker in Self Made. Film appearances include A Time to Kill, The Help, Fruitvale Station, The Shape of Water, The Divergent Series, The Shack, Gifted, Instant Family, Luce, Ma, Spirited, Never Been Kissed, Being John Malkovitch, Blue Streak, The Sky Is Falling, American Virgin, What Planet Are You From?, Big Momma’s House, Four Dogs Playing Poker, Sol Goode, Spider-Man, S.W.A.T., Bad Santa, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!, Breakin’ All the Rules, Coach Carter, Pretty Persuasion, Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School, Beauty Shop, Pulse, The Nines, Pretty Ugly People, Seven Pounds, Drag Me to Hell, The Soloist, Jesus People: The Movie, Just Peck, Halloween II, Dinner for Schmucks, Peep World, Flypaper, Smashed, Blues for Willadean, Snowpiercer, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, Paradise, Get On Up, Black or White, Fathers and Daughters, The Great Gilly Hopkins, The Free World, Small Town Crime, Car Dogs, A Kid Like Jake, Dolittle, The Witches (2020), Superintelligence, Thunder Force, and Encounter. TV appearances include Mom, Red Band Society, Truth Be Told, Moesha, ER, Chicago Hope, Roswell, The X-Files, Just Shoot Me!, Becker, Malcolm in the Middle, City of Angels, Grounded for Life, Dharma & Greg, Follow the Stars Home, The Chronicle, NYPD Blue, LAX, CSI: NY, Medium, Huff, The Minor Adventures of Jackie Woodman, Ugly Betty, Halfway Home, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Big Bang Theory, Worst Week, Dollhouse, Raising the Bar, Hawthorne, 30 Rock, American Dad!, Drunk History, Saturday Night Live, Black-ish, and Young Sheldon.

Personal Life: Has dyslexia.

Later Life: In 2021 and 2022, she brought food for the students of Auburn University during finals week. Has created a children’s book series called Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective that includes titles The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit and The Sweetest Heist in History.

Trivia: Won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for The Help. Has also received a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, 3 Screen Actors Guild Awards, 3 National Board of Review Awards, 2 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, and a WSFA Award. Has also been nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys and 2 more Academy Awards, making her the second-most nominated African American actress to date.

455. Tom Lister Jr.

Dates: 1958-2020

Early Life and Career: Born Thomas Duane Lister Jr. in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Grew up in Compton, California. Since birth, he’s had a deformed and detached retina in his right eye, which left it permanently blind. Attended Palomar Junior College before transferring to Long Beach City College for his sophomore year. While there, he recorded a 52ft shot put through, earning him a scholarship to California State University, Los Angeles. In his senior year, he won the national shot put title with a mark of over 61 ft, which made him the 1982 NCAA Division II National Shot Put Champion. After college, Lister competed for the Converse Track Club, eventually raising his shot put mark to 64 ft before trying out with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL where he was cut after 2 exhibition games and decided to pursue acting instead. Made screen debut in 1984 and his fist film in 1985. Also had a stint as a professional studio wrestler from 1989 to 1990 under the name of Zeus and Z-Gangsta at 6’5” and 300 lbs.

Movies and Cartoons: Zootopia (2016) and the series Fish Hooks.

Characters: Finnick

Also Known For: Character actor and occasional professional wrestler best known as Deebo in Friday and Next Friday, President Lindberg in The Fifth Element, and Zeus in No Holds Barred. Was often cast as “the heavy/big bully” which is a great irony that he’s cast as a fennec fox in Zootopia (2016). Film appearances include Runaway Train, 8 Million Ways to Die, Armed and Dangerous, Wired to Kill, Extreme Prejudice, Beverly Hills Cop II, Prison, The Night Before (1988), Homer and Eddie, Midnight, Think Big, Trabbi Goes to Hollywood, Talkin’ Dirty After Dark, Universal Soldier, Trespass, Posse, The Meteor Man, Immortal Combat, Men of War, Don Juan DeMarco, Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, The Set-Up, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Barb Wire, Phat Beach, Street Corner Justice, Below Utopia, Gang Related, Jackie Brown, The Players Club, I Got the Hook Up, Circus, Little Nicky, Soulkeeper, The Wash, Austin Powers in Goldmember, Confidence, Love Chronicles, My Baby’s Daddy, Never Die Alone, Dracula 3000, El Padrino, Hair Show, Blast Full Clip, Santa’s Slay, One Night with the King, The Still Life, Who Made The Potatoe Salad?, The Grand, Bone Dry, Terra Nova, The Dark Knight, Monster Ark, Super Capers, Holy Water, We the Party, K-11, Heaven’s Door, Hickey, Busy Day, and Renegades. TV appearances include Matlock, Perfect Strangers, Hard Time on Planet Earth, CBS Summer Playhouse, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, ER, Step by Step, Martin, NYPD Blue, WCW Monday Nitro, The Jamie Foxx Show, Nash Bridges, Enterprise, Saul of the Mole Men, Regular Show, Key & Peele, The Boondocks, Company Bang! Bang!, and Mann and Wife. Video game appearances include 50 Cent: Bulletproof, Scarface: The World Is Yours, and WWE 2K23. Has also appeared in many music videos from the 1980s to 2020.

Personal Life: Married to Felicia Forbes. They had a son named Thomas Duane Lister III. Also, had type 2 diabetes by 55.

Later Life: In 2012, he pled guilty for conspiring to commit mortgage fraud in a scheme that led to $3.8 million in losses. Charged with fraudulently buying homes in order to withdraw a $1.1 in home equity loans. By April 2014, he was out on bail and confident about avoiding prison. Was diagnosed with Covid-19 in August 2020 but overcame the illness. Became ill with Covid-like symptoms in which he exhibited weakness and trouble breathing, forcing him to cancel shooting for a film. Since his manager saw this as abnormal of him, she sent her assistant to his house to give him vitamins and antibiotics. Later that month, police found Lister dead in his home during a wellness checkup at his home in Marina del Rey, California at 62. Coroner’s office investigated his cause of death, which determined it was hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Although we probably shouldn’t rule out Covid-19. Ice Cube later tweeted: “RIP Tiny ‘Deebo’ Lister. America’s favorite bully was a born entertainer who would pop into character at the drop of a hat terrifying people on and off camera. Followed by a big smile and laugh … Thank you for being a good dude at heart. I miss you already.”

Trivia: Athletic department of California State University, Los Angeles sponsors an annual track meet in his name. Listed at #500 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1991.

456. Jared Bush

Dates: 1974-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Gaitersburg, Maryland. Father and grandfather were CIA agents. Graduated from Harvard University. Was originally hired by Walt Disney Animation Studios on a “provisional eight-week contract” when he joined the Zootopia writing team early on, before it evolved from a spy film to a police procedural. Several months after joining Disney, Bush had to personally pitch Zootopia to Disney CEO Bob Iger.

Movies and Cartoons: Zootopia (2016) as well as the series Zootopia+.

Characters: Pronk Oryx-Antlerson

Also Known For: Filmmaker who’s served as Disney’s Chief Creative Officer since 2024. Best known for co-directing and co-writing Zootopia (2016), writing Moana (2016) and Moana 2 (2024), and writing and directing Encanto (2021). Also co-created the series Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero. Also worked on Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), Frozen II (2019), Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), Strange World (2022), and Wish (2023) as well as Zootopia+. Non-Disney projects include What Lies Beneath, DAG, Baby Bob, Who Wants to Marry My Dad?, and All of Us.

Personal Life: Married to Pamela McDonald.

Later Life: Has 2 upcoming projects in the coming years such as Zootopia 2 later in 2025 and the live action remake of Moana in 2026.

Trivia: Has won an Academy Award for Encanto (2021) as well as an Annie Award for Zootopia (2016).

457. Mark “Rhino” Smith

Dates: 1969-present

Early Life and Career: Born Mark Smith in Acton, London in England. Began his career as a bodybuilder, winning the Junior British Championships and the London Men’s Heavyweights. First big break was the ITV game show Gladiators where he appeared as Rhino during the late 1990s. After that series was canceled, he decided to become an actor and later moved to Los Angeles.

Movies and Cartoons: Zootopia (2016)

Characters: Officer McHorn

Also Known For: Actor and bodybuilder best known as Rhino in Gladiators. Film appearances include Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Batman Begins, Rollin’ with the Nines, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Argo, Yardie, The Harder They Fall (2021), The Enforcer, Bad Ass, The Frozen Ground, Ambushed, The Hungover Games, No Good Deed, What Now, Criminal, Security, Acts of Vengeance, Day of the Dead: Bloodline, Creed, The Hurricane Heist, Angel Has Fallen, Heropanti 2, and Magazine Dreams. TV appearances include Renford Rejects, EastEnders, Sinchronicity, Trial and Retribution, Robin Hood, The Last Ship, American Gladiators, Relic Hunter, Saturday Live, Blue, NCIS: Los Angeles, Criminal Minds, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Personal Life: Has 2 children including a son named Brodie and a daughter named Chloe.

Later Life: Lives in Los Angeles as of 2016.

Trivia: His character on Zootopia is a tribute to his character on Gladiators.

458. Auliʻi Cravalho

Dates: 2000-present

Early Life and Career: Born Chloe Auliʻi Cravalho in Kohala, Hawaii. Parents ran a construction company but got divorced when she was young. At the time she was cast as Moana, Cravalho was living with her mother in Mililani, Hawaii and was a freshman at Kamehameha Schools’ Kapalama campus, singing soprano in glee club. Growing up, she and her mother lived in a one-bedroom apartment having to rely on food stamps for support. Originally wasn’t going to audition for Moana because “there were already so many great submissions that [she] didn’t think [she] needed to try out.” However, a talent agent in Oahu discovered her through a charity video contest and brought her to Los Angeles to audition for the role. Was said to be the last person to audition out of hundreds of actress.

Movies and Cartoons: Moana (2016), Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), and Moana 2 (2024) as well as the short Once Upon a Studio, a few series, a couple TV specials, and a couple video games.

Characters: Moana

Also Known For: Actress best known as the voice of Moana. Film appearances include All Together Now, Darby and the Dead, and Mean Girls (2024). TV appearances include Rise, The Power, Weird City, Harmonious Live!, Krapopolis, and The Tiny Chef Show. Video game appearances include The Sims 4 and Ark 2.

Personal Life: Is bisexual and has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Later Life: Following the success of Moana, Cravalho bought her mother a house. Accepted to Columbia University in 2021 where she planned to study environmental science but has deferred entrance several times due to her acting career. That she has to reapply to Columbia for admission all over again. During the Gaza War, Cravalho became a member of Artists4Ceasefire and signed the group’s open letter urging President Joe Biden to facilitate a ceasefire to end the war.

Trivia: None.

459. Rachel House

Dates: 1971-present

Early Life and Career: Born Rachel Jessica Te Ao Maarama House in Auckland, New Zealand. Raised in Kamo, Whangarei by adoptive Scottish parents. Maori tribe affiliations are Ngati Mutunga, Te Atiawa, and Ngai Tahu. Attended the New Zealand national drama school Toi Whakaari, graduating in 1992. Went into stage work with the Pacific Underground Theatre and the Auckland Theatre Company. Acted in several major productions as well as toured nationally and internationally. Made her screen debut in 1998.

Movies and Cartoons: Moana (2016), Soul (2020), and Moana 2 (2024)

Characters: Grandma Tala and Terry

Also Known For: New Zealand actress and director known for her roles in Taika Waititi films. Film appearances include Whale Rider, Fracture, Perfect Creature, Eagle vs Shark, Boy, White Lies, Everything We Loved, The Dark Horse, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, The Rehearsal, Thor: Ragnarok, Bellbird, Jojo Rabbit, Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt), Baby Done, Cousins, Millie Lies Low, Back to the Outback, The Portable Door, Next Goal Wins, The Moon Is Upside Down, Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire, and A Minecraft Movie. TV appearances include Duggan, Revelations – The Initial Journey, Maddigan’s Quest, Super City, The Blue Rose, Soul Mates, Wolf Creek, Wrecked, The New Legends of Monkey, Sherwood, Get Krack!n, Aroha Bridge, Stateless, 100% Wolf: Legend of the Moonstone, Cowboy Bebop, Creamerie, What If…?, Amphibia, Pinecone & Pony, Heartbreak High, Koala Man, Bay of Fires, Foundation, Our Flag Means Death, Kiff, 100% Wolf: Book of Hath, Time Bandits, and The Legend of Vox Machina. Stage appearances include King Lear, Beauty and the Beast, South Pacific, and The Vagina Monologues.

Personal Life: Can’t find anything about her personal life.

Later Life: Studied directing at the Prague Film School in the Czech Republic in 2008. Made 2 short films that received awards while studying there.

Trivia: Has received 3 Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. Received the New Zealand Arts Foundation’s Laureate Award in 2012. Appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2017. Received the Te Waipuna-ā-Rangi Award for Arts and Entertainment in 2018.

460. Temuera Morrison

Dates: 1960-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Rotorua, New Zealand on its North Island. Father was a musician. Is Maori of Te Arawa and Tainui. Attended Wesley College in Auckland and Western Heights High School in Rotorua. Made film debut as the title character in Rangi’s Catch in 1973.

Movies and Cartoons: Moana (2016) and Moana 2 (2024)

Characters: Chief Tui

Also Known For: New Zealand actor best known in his home country for playing Dr. Hone Ropata in Shortland Street and Jake “The Muss” Heke in Once We Were Warriors and What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?. Outside of New Zealand he’s best known as Jango Fett, Boba Fett, and clone troopers in the Star Wars franchise and Tom Curry in DECU films Aquaman, The Flash, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Film appearances include Rangi’s Catch, Other Halves, Never Say Die, Barb Wire, The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), Broken English, Little White Lies, Speed 2: Cruise Control, Six Days, Seven Nights, From Dusk to Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter, The Vertical Limit, Crooked Earth, The Beautiful Country, Blueberry, River Queen, Rain of the Children, Tracker, Green Lantern, Fresh Meat, Mt. Zion, Mahana, Hard Target 2, The Osiris Child: Science Fiction Volume One, Occupation, The Brighton Miracle, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Mosely, Occupation: Rainfall, and Ke Whawhai Tonu. TV appearances include Echo 3, Gloss, Shark in the Park, Bro’Town, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, Tatau, Frontier, My Life Is Murder, Spirit Rangers, Far North, and Secret Level.

Personal Life: Brother of kapa haka performer Taini Morrison. Nephew of Sir Howard Morrison and kapa haka performer Atareta Maxwell. Cousin of Michael Ashton. Has a son from a relationship in the late 1980s with When the Cat’s Away singer Kim Willoughby. Has a daughter with Pamela Melbourne. Married to actress Angela Dotchin from 1997 to their divorce in 2002.

Later Life: Lives in New Zealand but divides his time filming there, Australia, and the United States.

Trivia: None.