Ed Catmull is an American computer scientist and co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios. He played a crucial role in the development of computer graphics and animation technology. Catmull's work on rendering techniques and 3D animation helped revolutionize the film industry, leading to the creation of iconic films like Toy Story and Finding Nemo. In addition to his technical contributions, Catmull served as the president of Pixar and later as the president of Walt Disney Animation Studios after Disney acquired Pixar in 2006. He is known for his leadership style, emphasizing creativity and collaboration among artists and engineers.