Tom McGrath

Thomas "Tom" McGrath, born on August 7, 1965, in Lynnwood, Washington, is a prominent American voice actor and animator renowned for his significant contributions to the animation industry. He gained widespread recognition as the co-director, alongside Eric Darnell, of the beloved animated features Madagascar (2005) and its sequel, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008). In addition to his directorial roles, McGrath lent his voice to the memorable character Skipper, the leader of the penguins, which he also created.

Before achieving fame with the Madagascar franchise, McGrath honed his skills in various capacities throughout the animation field. He worked as an animator on Ralph Bakshi's Cool World and as a storyboard artist for the cult classic The Ren and Stimpy Show. His talents extended to the blockbuster Space Jam and the live-action film Cats & Dogs. He also contributed as a storyboard artist and set designer for How the Grinch Stole Christmas, directed by Ron Howard.

In 2010, McGrath made his directorial mark again with the DreamWorks feature Megamind, which featured an all-star cast that included Will Ferrell and Brad Pitt. He continued to voice Skipper in The Penguins of Madagascar, a successful spin-off series. McGrath’s versatile career showcases his dedication to the art of animation and his ability to create memorable characters and stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.