An acclaimed American film director, producer, and writer, he is known for his pioneering work in stop-motion animation. He gained prominence with his directorial debut, "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993), which became a cult classic. His unique visual style and storytelling continued with films like "James and the Giant Peach" (1996) and "Coraline" (2009). A California Institute of the Arts alumnus, he has collaborated with notable figures like Tim Burton and Neil Gaiman, leaving a lasting impact on animation.