In honor of the formidable animation legends, special effects greats, comic company superheros and phenomenal producers we have put together an industry-voted list of the 100 most influential people in the animation industry. 

By surveying trained professionals, historians and restorationists (many of whom participated in our Interview Series)—and then a whole lotta' research—we put together this list, along with bios, of the biggest names and most influential contributions that have helped shape the animation industry that we know today. From Disney to DC and Paramount to Pixar, and back again.

Without further ado, here are your Top 100 Most Influential People in Animation in suspense-building reverse order:

“How can I become a Pixar animator?” Those seven little words comprise one of the most commonly fielded questions at Pixar HQ. To be sure, they can be heard well beyond, mumbled from children’s lips in the theater to the hallways of college animation departments. While computer skills may be important, it’s the ability to bring life to a character that distinguishes a Pixar animator from others. And that’s no small task, as Pixar animator Chris Chua can tell you.