Christopher DeFaria

Chris DeFaria
DeFaria in 2018
Born
Christopher Joseph DeFaria

(1959-05-20) May 20, 1959 (age 67)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
EducationUniversity of California, Los Angeles
OccupationsFilm producer, screenwriter
Years active1969–1973 (voice actor)
1989–present (producer)
Spouse
Alexandra Yates Knox
​
​
(m. 1992)​
Children3

Christopher Joseph DeFaria (born May 20, 1959) is an American film producer, screenwriter and former voice actor. He served as president of animation and innovative technology at Warner Bros. Pictures for four years. In January 2017, he joined DreamWorks Animation in the newly created position of president of the DreamWorks Feature Animation Group. As president, DeFaria oversaw all aspects of DWA's feature animation business, including slate strategy, development, production; innovation and technology; and business affairs prior to his departure in early 2019.

He is a graduate of UCLA, a member of the AMPAS and WGA and a founding member of FilmAid International. He serves on the board of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Early life

Christopher deFaria was born to film producer Walt DeFaria, whose credits include several Sanrio films such as the 1977 animated film The Mouse and His Child and the 1982 war drama Don't Cry, It's Only Thunder.

Career

1969–1973: Early career

DeFaria began his Hollywood career in 1969 as a voice actor playing the part of Peppermint Patty in Peanuts TV specials from the same year until 1973. He also has a sister, Gabrielle "Gai" DeFaria Ritter, who was previously Peppermint Patty's voice before he took over.

1989–present: Later career

In 1989, DeFaria returned to the television industry as production manager, screenwriter and producer, beginning with his role as post-production supervisor for the television horror film Amityville 4: The Evil Escapes broadcast on NBC. He later co-wrote with Antonio M. Toro two Amityville Horror installments which were released direct-to-video: Amityville 1992: It's About Time and Amityville: A New Generation (1993), both of which he also served as producer.

By 1996, DeFaria joined Warner Bros. Pictures as vice president of physical production. His first full producer credit for a theatrical film was for the 2001 spy comedy Cats & Dogs, with DeFaria being involved in the attempt to convincingly blend CGI animal characters with live-action backgrounds and people alongside special effects artist Stan Winston. He later became president of Warner Bros.' animation and innovative technology division for four years beginning in 2013.

In January 2017, DeFaria was chosen to become the new president of DreamWorks Animation (by then under NBCUniversal), succeeding Jeffrey Katzenberg who stepped down as its CEO. As president, DeFaria ran the studio's feature animation business as a whole, "including slate strategy, development, production, innovation and technology, and business affairs", with him directly answering to Universal Pictures chairperson Donna Langley. After two years, DeFaria vacated his position as president in January 2019, being succeeded by DreamWorks Animation TV head Margie Cohn.

DeFaria produced the 2021 live-action animated film Tom and Jerry, and he also produced the film Coyote vs. Acme alongside James Gunn.

Prior to establishing Keylight, Chris served as President of DreamWorks Animation where he led the studio’s creative development and technological advancement. Before that he was president of Digital Production and Innovative Technology at Warner Bros. Pictures where he founded Warner Animation Group, the studio's animation division, developed VFX strategies for films like Harry Potter and The Matrix and oversaw initiatives in AI and VR.[citation needed]

Filmography

Producer
Year Title Notes
1991 ...And Then She Was Gone TV movie
1992 Amityville 1992: It's About Time Direct-to-video;
Also writer
1993 Amityville: A New Generation
1995 Live Nude Girls Co-producer
1996 Tremors 2: Aftershocks Direct-to-video
2001 Cats & Dogs
2021 Tom & Jerry
2026 Coyote vs. Acme
Associate producer
Year Title Notes
1989Double Your PleasureTV movie
1990She Said No
A Mom for Christmas
1991What Ever Happened to...
Locked Up: A Mother's Rage
1992Day-O
A Murderous Affair: The Carolyn Warmus Story
1993Miracle Child
2020The Young Witchfinder

Executive producer

Special thanks

References

  1. ↑ "Christopher DeFaria Filmography". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2016. Archived from the original on March 27, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "DreamWorks Animation Finds New Chief in Warner Bros. Veteran (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  3. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 9, 2019). "Chris deFaria Exiting DreamWorks Animation As President; DWA TV Boss Margie Cohn Takes Over". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  4. ↑ Amidi, Amid (January 11, 2017). "Chris deFaria Named President of Dreamworks Animation, Leaves Warner Animation Group Floundering". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  5. ↑ ""Peanuts" interview: Christopher deFaria (Peppermint Patty in Thanksgiving)". Noblemania. Blogger. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  6. ↑ Lipsett, Joe (January 17, 2023). "'Amityville 1992: It's About Time' Is a Top-Tier Franchise Entry [The Amityville IP]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  7. ↑ Lipsett, Joe (February 1, 2023). "'Amityville: A New Generation' Offers Exceptional Cinematography and Amusing Dialogue [The Amityville IP]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  8. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 25, 1994). "Former DreamWorks Animation Boss Chris deFaria Consulting For Netflix Animation – The Dish". Deadline. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  9. ↑ Grove, Christopher (May 29, 2001). "Digital f/x dominate summer". Variety. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  10. ↑ Smith, Gavin (January–February 2014). "Interview: Alfonso Cuarón". Film Comment. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  11. 1 2 Rainey, James (January 10, 2017). "Chris DeFaria to Become President of DreamWorks Animation". Variety. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  12. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 9, 2019). "Chris deFaria Exiting DreamWorks Animation As President; DWA TV Boss Margie Cohn Takes Over". Deadline. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Coyote vs. Warner Bros. Discovery". NPR. Sam Yellowhorse Kesler, Wailin Wong, Corey Bridges, Kate Concannon. 19 December 2023.
  14. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (March 19, 2025). "Warner Bros Negotiating Big Sale Of Shelved 'Coyote Vs. Acme' Movie — The Dish". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  15. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (31 March 2025). "Warner Bros Completes Worldwide Sale Of 'Coyote Vs Acme'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 11 July 2025.

https://deadline.com/2024/04/dreamworks-animation-chris-defaria-coyote-vs-acme-netflix-animation-1235895532/