After directing Finding Dory with Andrew Stanton in 2016, filmmaker pitched the idea of making a Buzz Lightyear film. Since he always wondered what movie Andy saw in the original Toy Story to get interested in a Buzz Lightyear action figure. An avid science fiction fan, MacLane had felt attracted to Buzz since he began working at Pixar and felt that the film’s story was very “personal” to him. Since A New Hope had been his favorite movie since childhood. An aspect in the Toy Story films that Lightyear explores is Buzz’s disagreement over reality’s nature, which coupled with his heroic ideals, made an amalgam of sci-fi cliches that MacLane wanted to make more than just a punchline. For the look, the animators wanted the film to seem “cinematic” and “chunky” in order to evoke the feeling of the science fiction films that MacLane grew up with. To achieve this, they asked a former Industrial Light & Magic employee to build a spaceship model for them, from which they drew inspiration: a technique inspired by designers for early science fiction films using models for inspiration for their sets and props. MacLane said the animation took several “visual lessons” from early science fiction and space operas like the Star Wars films. Though without intentionally imitating such films. To design the film’s vehicles, MacLane used Legos to build various ships and pitch them to the designers and artists. Influenced by anime robots, Zurg was redesigned to look more grounded and menacing than his previous appearances. The animation team also went to NASA to research about spaceships, space suits, and overall set pieces since they wanted “everything to look like a live-action film rather than an animation.” Upon its release in 2022, Lightyear grossed $226 million at the box office against a $200 million budget, making it a box office bomb. While reviews were generally positive but not the degree of its predecessors. Still, Lightyear’s underperformance at the box office would result in Pixar putting MacLane out of a job.

              After finishing co-directing Moana, filmmaker Don Hall pondered the origins of a generational family with the concept of “environmental overtones” which was described as “Indiana Jones meets National Lampoon’s Vacation.” According to Hall, Strange World takes influence from early 20^th century pulp magazines along with science fiction works like Journey to the Center of the Earth, Fantastic Voyage, and King Kong. Hall said he “loved reading the old issues of pulps growing up. They were big adventures in which a group of explorers might discover a hidden world or ancient creatures. They’ve been a huge inspiration for Strange World.” The miracle plant Pando is named after a forest in Utah. The land of Avalonia is derived from the land Avalon in King Arthur legend that’s presented as a utopic community. While it was also given “warm, nostalgic” color scheme to contrast with the titular strange world inside the creature, for which the filmmakers “avoided earth tones and leaned into reds and magentas.” The film’s production team conducted research on climatologists, paleontologists, and biologists as well as a farmer. While filmmakers visited National Geographic for research which the film’s setting and inhabitants reflect. Upon its release, Strange World opened to positive reviews but only grossed $73.6 million at the box office. In this post, we’ll meet the voices behind one more Turning Red character as well as Izzy Hawthorne, Mo Morrison, Darby Steel, Alisha Hawthorne, Airman Diaz, Meridian, Caspian, Kardez, and Azimuth.

561. Josh Levi

Dates: 1998-present

Early Life and Career: Born Joshua Levi Bolden in Houston, Texas. Began his career on the show Friday Night Lights as Dennis Merriwether, whom he’d play for 2 seasons. In 2013, he was a finalist on season 3 for The X Factor USA. Afterwards, he made guest appearances on Nickelodeon shows called The Thundermans and Game Shakers. Released his debut single in 2014. Became part of the group Citizen Four in 2017.

Movies and Cartoons: Turning Red (2022)

Characters: Aaron Z.

Also Known For: Actor and singer best known as Darius Merriwether in Friday Night Lights. TV appearances include The Thundermans and Game Shakers.

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

Later Life: After leaving Citizen Four, Levi has shifted his attention to his full attention to education and solo ventures. In 2019, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in science in business and finance from Full Sail University. Released his first EP in 2020. Signed to Issa Rae’s Raedio and Atlantic Records in 2021.

Trivia: None.

562. Keke Palmer

Dates: 1993-present

Early Life and Career: Born Lauren Keyana Palmer in Harvey, Illinois and raised in nearby Robbins. Parents were professional actors before settling into full-time jobs. Father’s a Catholic deacon who works for a polyurethane company. Mother’s a high school teacher who works with autistic children. “Keke” was the name of her sister’s imaginary friend that she had before Palmer was born. Sang in church and performed in a stage show at a Chicago tourist destination. In 2002, she auditioned for a stage production of The Lion King at 9. Made her first film in 2004. Signed a record deal with Atlantic Records in 2005.

Movies and Cartoons: Lightyear (2022) as well as The Disney Family Singalong Volume II, the TV movie Jump In!, and the series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.

Characters: Izzy Hawthorne

Also Known For: Actress, singer, and television personality best known as Akeelah Anderson in Akeelah and the Bee, True Jackson in True Jackson, VP, Aisha in Winx Club, and Ella in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Film appearances include Barbershop 2: Back in Business, Madea’s Family Reunion, The Longshots, Shrink, Animal, Pimp, Hustlers, Nope, One of Them Days, Cleaner, Unstable Fables: The Tortoise and the Hare, Ice Age: Continental Drift, Imperial Dreams, Brotherly Love, Ice Age: Collision Course, 2 Minutes of Frame, Alice, Under the Board Walk, and This Is Me…Now: A Love Story. TV appearances include The Wool Cap, Rags, Berlin Station, Scream, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, Just Keke, Strahan, Sara and Keke, Password, Cold Case, ER, Knights of the South Bronx, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, The Cleveland Show, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Abducted: The Carlina White Story, 90210, Key & Peele, Family Guy, Grey’s Anatomy, Masters of Sex, Scream Queens, Bubble Guppies, Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade, Grease: Live, Robot Chicken, Singled Out, Big Mouth, Insecure, Legendary, Karma’s World, Saturday Night Live, That’s My Jam, The Afterparty, The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Hit album is So Uncool.

Personal Life: Doesn’t want labels attached to her sexuality. Was in a relationship with Darius Jackson from 2021 to 2023. They have a son. In 2019, she shared on Twitter that she had an abortion at 24 as part of the #YouKnowMe campaign. In an interview with People magazine, she disclosed she was molested as a child but didn’t realize it until she read a book about sexual abuse. Has amblyopia as well as dealt with polycystic ovary syndrome. Has also struggled with anxiety and depression. Had a turbulent relationship with singer TreySongz, alleging that he tricked her into appearing in a music video while at a party in 2017. Has accused him of “sexual intimidation,” disclosing that she hid in a closet to avoid being filmed and berated by Songz, only to later realize that he and his friends had recorded her without prior knowledge or consent. Songz has denied the claims during an interview on The Breakfast Club radio show, stating “I did not put her in the video without her permission. I don’t care that much to sneak Keke Palmer in the video for two seconds.” Was in a relationship with fitness instructor Darius Jackson from 2021-2023. They have a son born in February. But the couple later broke up after a series of incidents surrounding domestic violence throughout their relationship. Palmer soon received a temporary restraining order against Jackson as well as temporary sole custody of their son. Later dropped the requests in 2024 and their domestic violence restraining order hearing was canceled.

Later Life: Has released 2 books titled: I Don’t Belong to You: Quiet the Noise and Find Your Voice in 2017 and Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative in 2024. Works with Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs’ Cool to Be Smart program, speaking to children on the importance of learning. Also worked with the YWCA and Saving Our Daughters, where she’s been a representative in 2010. Supports the Black Lives Matter movement and marched in Hollywood as part of the George Floyd protests.

Trivia: Has been nominated for 4 Emmys and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Was included in Time’s 100 Next list in 2019, which “spotlights 100 rising stars who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, science, health and more.” Sang the US national anthem during the 2021 World Series. Hosted the MTV Music Awards in 2020.

563. Taika Waititi

Dates: 1975-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Wellington, New Zealand and grew up in its Aro Valley suburb Raukokore, a small town in the Bay of Plenty. Father was an artist. Grandfather served in the Maori Battalion during World War II. Parents divorced when he was 5 and he was primarily raised by his mother. Attended Onslow College. Studied theatre at Victoria University of Wellington where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1997. While in college, Waititi was part of a 5-member comedy ensemble called So You’re a Man which toured New Zealand and Australia with some success. He and Jermaine Clement formed a duo called the Humourbeasts who received New Zealand’s highest comedy accolade the Billy T Award in 1999. After starring in a condom commercial, Waititi began making comical shorts for New Zealands 48Hours film contest. Made his first screen appearance in 1999.

Movies and Cartoons: Lightyear (2022)

Characters: Mo Morrison

Also Known For: New Zealand filmmaker, actor, and comedian best known as Adolf Hitler in Jojo Rabbit and IG-11 in The Mandalorian. Film appearances include Boy, The Hunt for the Wilderpeople, What We Do in the Shadows, Scarfies, Snakeskin, Futile Attraction, Eagle vs. Shark, Green Lantern, Coffee Town, Thor: Ragnarok, Seven Stages to Achieve Immortal Bliss, The Suicide Squad, Free Guy, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Next Goal Wins. Has directed Boy, The Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Eagle vs. Shark, What We Do in the Shadows, Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Next Goal Wins. TV appearances include Our Flag Means Death, What We Do in the Shadows, The Strip, Flight of the Conchords, Radiradirah, Rick and Morty, Home Movie: The Princes Bride, RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, What If…?, History of the World Part II, The Simpsons, Time Bandits, and The Masked Singer. Has directed episodes for Flight of the Conchords, Super City, The Inbetweeners, What We Do in the Shadows, The Mandalorian, Our Flag Means Death, Time Bandits, and Interior Chinatown. Co-created Wellington Paranormal, Reservation Dogs, and Time Bandits.

Personal Life: Cousin of director and producer Tweedie Waititi. Although he legally goes by the name Cohen, Waititi has been primarily known by his father’s name for most of his life and was likely born under that name as well. Was in a relationship with New Zealand actress and writer Loren Horsey for 10 years. She co-wrote and acted in Eagle vs. Shark. Married twice. First wife was New Zealand film producer Chelsea Winstanley from 2011 to their divorce in 2018. They have 2 daughters. Second and current wife is British singer Rita Ora since 2022.

Later Life: Has a number of upcoming projects. Often incorporates his Maori heritage into his projects, such as by including indigenous interns and having traditional owners conduct a Welcome to Country ceremony during the start of filming on set in Australia. Has also served as executive producer in a variety of Maori and indigenous-made films. Not to mention, directed Maori language versions of Disney movies.

Trivia: Has won an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and a Grammy. Was appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to film in 2020. Named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022.

564. Dale Soules

Dates: 1946-present

Early Life and Career: Born in New Jersey. Grew up in the Greenwood Lake section of West Milford, New Jersey. Attended West Milford High School. While in high school, Soules became interested in acting and acted in summer stock theater, sang in church choirs, and later studied acting at HB Studio. Moved to New York in the mid-1960s to pursue an acting career and initially worked behind the scenes in theater in a variety of positions. Big break on Broadway came in 1968 in Hair. Made screen debut in 1971.

Movies and Cartoons: Lightyear (2022)

Characters: Darby Steel

Also Known For: Actress best known as Frieda Berlin in Orange Is the New Black. Film appearances include The Messenger, Blood Orgy of the Leather Girls, Diggers, Motherhood, Watching TV with the Red Chinese, AWOL, Aardvark, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, My Love Affair with Marriage, and She Came to Me. TV appearances include Really Rosie, American Playhouse, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order, American Masters, How to Make It in America, Big Lake, Unforgettable, At Home with Amy Sedaris, New Amsterdam, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Invasion, Digman!, and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.

Personal Life: Is openly lesbian.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

565. Uzo Aduba

Dates: 1981-present

Early Life and Career: Born Uzoamaka Nwanneka Aduba in Boston, Massachusetts to Igbo parents from Nigeria. Grew up in Medfield, Massachusetts, graduating from Medfield High School in 1999. Attended Boston University where she studied classical voice and competed in track and field. Made her screen debut in 2012. Made her big break in 2013.

Movies and Cartoons: Lightyear (2022)

Characters: Alisha Hawthorne

Also Known For: Actress best known as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren in Orange Is the New Black and Shirley Chisolm in Mrs. America. Film appearances include American Pastoral, My Little Pony: The Movie, Candy Jar, Steven Universe: The Movie, Miss Virginia, National Champions, Pearly Gates, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip, Tallulah, Showing Roots, We Are Boats, Beats, Really Love, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, and Greedy People. TV appearances include The Residence, Bluebloods, Saturday Night Live, Comedy Bang! Bang!, The Wiz Live, Steven Universe, 3Below: Tales of Arcadia, Solos, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Animal, and Painkiller. Stage appearances include Clyde’s, The Seven, Coram Boy, Eclipsed, Godspell, Venice, and The Maids.

Personal Life: Married to filmmaker Robert Sweeting since 2020. They have a daughter born in 2023.

Later Life: In 2020, she was announced as a minority investor of the Angel City FC as part of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Trivia: Has won an Emmy, 2 Critics’ Choice Awards, and 5 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Has also been nominated for a Tony. Received the Point Courage Award from the Point Foundation for her support of the LGBT community in 2017. Became Heifer International’s first-ever celebrity ambassador to Africa.

566. Efren Ramirez

Dates: 1973-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Los Angeles to Salvadoran parents. Made his screen debut in 1994.

Movies and Cartoons: Lightyear (2022) as well as the series Even Stevens.

Characters: Airman Diaz

Also Known For: Actor best known as Pedro Sanchez in Napoleon Dynamite. Film appearances include Tammy and the T-Rex, Jury Duty, Kazaam, Melting Pot, King Cobra, Tomorrow’s Yesterday, Crank, Employee of the Month, Walkout, The Pool Boys, Gamer, When in Rome, Casa de mi padre, School Dance, Endgame, Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life, Trafficked, Mad Families, and Satanic Hispanics. TV appearances include Boston Public, Judging Amy, ER, The District, George Lopez, Robot Chicken, Mad TV, El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, American Dad!, Celebrity Rap Superstar, Eastbound & Down, Constantine, Perpetual Grace LTD, The Casagrandes, and FBI: Most Wanted.

Personal Life: Married to Mexican-American actress Iyari Limon from 1998 to their annulment in 1999.

Later Life: Is also a DJ who’s performed worldwide in over 50 cities across 5 continents. Sets include a variety of much such as hip hop, funk, disco, and hard house. His production company “Nocturnal Rage” throws a recurring rave every summer in Austin, Texas. Co-founded Powerhouse Pictures LLC with Chris Barrett and co-authored a book called Direct Your Own Life: How To Be A Star in Any Field You Choose that was published by Kaplan Publishing in 2008.

Trivia: None.

567. Gabrielle Union

Dates: 1972-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Omaha, Nebraska. Mother’s a phone company manager and social worker. Father’s a military sergeant. Said her mother taught her to have a “world perspective” and took her to a gay pride parade at 8 after the family moved to Pleasanton, California. Attended Foothill High School where she was a year-round student athlete competing Varsity soccer, track, and basketball. As one of the few black kids in her environment she grew up having self-esteem issues of colorism reflecting that “blonde was the ideal of beauty, and if I looked nothing like that, then I must be ugly.” Attended University of California, Los Angeles where she earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology. Yet, during the summer before her sophomore year at 19, Union was attacked and raped at gunpoint during her part-time job at Payless shoe store by a robber. Stated that she wouldn’t have survived that attack had it not been for self-defence lessons that she learned from Oprah Winfrey’s talk show. L ater successfully sued Payless for negligence, alleging that the store failed to warn employees about the assailant, who had been positively identified robbing another Payless location prior to when he raped her. Started her acting career with minor roles with her first audition being for Saved by the Bell. Made her big break with Bring It On in 2000.

Movies and Cartoons: Strange World (2022) as well as several series.

Characters: Meridian Clade

Also Known For: Actress best known as best known as Mary Jane Paul in Being Mary Jane. Film appearances include She’s All That, 10 Things I Hate About You, Bring It On, The Brothers, Deliver Us from Eva, Daddy’s Little Girls, Think Like a Man, Think Like a Man Too, Bad Boys II, Cradle 2 the Grave, Neo Ned, Cadillac Records, Top Five, Breaking In, The Perfect Find, The Birth of a Nation (2016), Almost Christmas, Sleepless, Love & Basketball, Two Can Play at That Game, Welcome to Collinwood, Ride or Die, Breakin’ All the Rules, The Honeymooners, Running with Scissors, Constellation, The Box, The Perfect Holiday, Meet Dave, Good Deeds, Cheaper by the Dozen, Space Cadet, and Riff Raff. TV appearances include City of Angels, L.A.’s Finest, Family Matters, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, Moesha, 7^th Heaven, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Sister, Sister, Clueless, ER, Friends, The West Wing, Something the Lord Made, Family Guy, Night Stalker, Football Wives, Ugly Betty, Life, FlashForward, Army Wives, Unsung Hollywood, Family Feud, America’s Got Talent, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Live in Front of a Studio Audience, Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50, and Truth Be Told.

Personal Life: Cousin of rapper Saweetie. Parents divorced after 30 years of marriage. Dated basketball coach Jason Kidd during her junior year in high school. Has been married twice. First husband was former NFL player Chris Howard from 2001 to their divorce in 2006. Second and current husband is former NBA player Dwayne Wade since 2014. Has a daughter named Kaavia born in 2018 and 3 stepchildren.

Later Life: Has written 4 books. These comprise of 2 memoirs titled We’re Going to Need More Wine and You Got Anything Stronger? and 2 children’s books titled Welcome to the Party and Shady Baby. Has been an outspoken advocate for issues involving women’s health, LGBTQ+ equality, racism, and violence against women. Was a spokeswoman for Neutrogena in 2004 as well as is a part of several business ventures. Is also part-owner of the Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Trivia: Was included on Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020. Has received the President’s Award from the NAACP Image Awards alongside her husband Dwayne Wade. Hosted the BET Honors in 2009-2013.

568. Karan Soni

Dates: 1989-present

Early Life and Career: Born in New Delhi, India. Attended the international school there. Came to the United States to study business at the University of Southern California. But ended up graduating from its Dramatic Arts department. Made his film debut in 2010.

Movies and Cartoons: Strange World (2022) as well as the series Mickey Mouse Funhouse.

Characters: Caspian

Also Known For: Indian-American actor best known as Dopinder in the Deadpool franchise and Pavitr Prakhakar / India Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Film appearances include Safety Not Guaranteed, Ghostbusters (2016), Office Christmas Party, Pokemon Detective Pikachu, Supremacy, Goosebumps, Chee and T, The Sweet Life, Rough Night, And Then There Was Eve, Unicorn Store, Creep 2, Little Bitches, Better Start Running, Office Uprising, Corporate Animals, Always Be My Maybe, Like a Boss, Trolls World Tour, Superintelligence, 7 Days, The People We Hate at the Wedding, Four Samosas, World’s Best, A Nice Indian Boy, and Stealing Pulp Fiction. TV appearances include Betas, Other Space, Blunt Talk, Miracle Workers, 1600 Penn, The Neighbors, The Middle, Melissa & Joey, The Goldbergs, Silicon Valley, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Will & Grace, Cake, Big Mouth, Karma’s World, Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail, Trolls: Holiday in Harmony, The Great North, Home Economics, Abbott Elementary, and American Dad!.

Personal Life: Is gay and is married to writer and director Roshan Sethi.

Later Life: Became a US citizen. Said to reprise his role as Spider Man India in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.

Trivia: None.

569. Nik Dodani

Dates: 1993-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Dallas, Texas. Began his acting career in Phoenix-area community theater. Graduated from BASIS Scottsdale in 2011 and studied politics at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

Movies and Cartoons: Strange World (2022) as well as a few series.

Characters: Kardez

Also Known For: Actor, writer, and comedian best known as Zahid in Atypical and Pat Patel in Murphy Brown. Film appearances include Other People, The Good Neighbor, Alex Strangelove, Dark Was the Night, Escape Room, Dear Evan Hansen, Twisters, and The Parenting. TV appearances include The Comeback, Selfie, Kevin from Work, The Player, Idiotsitter, Angie Tribeca, Trinkets, and Big Nate.

Personal Life: Is openly gay.

Later Life: As a producer for MoveOn, he organized a comedy tour in 2016 called Laughter Trumps Hate. Also worked as a communications consultant at RALLY as well as a graphic designer and student organizer on Elizabeth Warren’s 2012 Senate campaign. Co-founded The Salon which is a forum for South Asian creatives in western creative arts. Has also played active roles in organizing support for Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024. Also played an active role in organizing other entertainers in the Black Lives Matter movement. Launched his own production banner Cosmic Pomegranate in 2022.

Trivia: None.

570. Francesca Reale

Dates: 1994-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Los Angeles. Received a BFA in acting at New York University. Also studied at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute and Stonestreet Studios. R eceived a 2012 National Youth Arts Award for Outstanding Youth Choreography for “Bordan vi Haller” in Winter Dance Concert, Hamilton Academy of Music. Made screen debut in 2016.

Movies and Cartoons: Strange World (2022)

Characters: Azimuth

Also Known For: Actress best known for her roles in Haters Back Off and Stranger Things. Film appearances include Dating and New York, Do Revenge, Parachute, and Musica. TV appearances include Blue Bloods, Wireless, and Entergalactic.

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

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.