Phillip Bradley "Brad" Bird is a multifaceted American creative, renowned for his accomplishments in both animated and live-action film industries.
Born in Kalispell, Montana, Bird is the youngest of four children to Marjorie A. (née Cross) and Philip Cullen Bird. His father operated in the propane business, while his grandfather, Francis Wesley "Frank" Bird, a native of County Sligo, Ireland, held the prestigious positions of president and chief executive of the Montana Power Company.
As a young boy, Bird's fascination with animation led him to tour the Walt Disney Studios at the age of 11, where he boldly declared his ambition to join the animation team. This declaration was soon followed by the creation of his own 15-minute animated short, which he completed within two years.
Bird's early work impressed the cartoon company, and by the time he was 14, he was already being mentored by Milt Kahl, one of Disney's legendary Nine Old Men. Bird has fondly recalled Kahl's constructive criticisms, which were delivered in a gentle yet effective manner, providing Bird with valuable insights on areas for improvement.
After graduating from Corvallis High School in Corvallis, Oregon, in 1975, Bird took a three-year hiatus before being awarded a scholarship by Disney to attend the California Institute of the Arts. It was during his time at the institute that he met and befriended John Lasseter, another future animator and co-founder of Pixar, with whom he would go on to collaborate on numerous projects.
