Biography

Daniel Gerson, best known for co-writing Disney's "Big Hero 6" and Pixar's two "Monsters" films died February 6th, 2016 at his home in Los Angeles after battling brain cancer. He was 49 years old. A New York State native, Gerson grew up immersed in the arts and starring in musical theater performances at his high school. Gerson graduated with an English degree from Cornell University before receiving an MFA from New York University film school. After beginning his career as a staff writer on the NBC television sitcom "Something So Right," which ran 1996-1998, Gerson soon transitioned to feature film, co-writing 2001's "Monsters, Inc." with Andrew Stanton, as well as 2013's "Monsters University" with Dan Scanlon and Robert L. Baird. Baird and Gerson worked as writing partners for fifteen years, collaborating on "Big Hero 6," which won the Academy Award for animated feature in 2015. The pair were also at work on the upcoming Pixar sequel "Cars 3." Gerson was also a talented voice actor, voicing the characters of Needleman and Smitty in "Monsters, Inc." as well as Desk Sergeant Gerson in "Big Hero 6." Gerson is survived by his wife, Beau Stacom; his two children, Claire and Asher; his parents, Mary-Joan and Charles; and his sister, Jessica.
- IMDb mini biography by: Christian Frates

Voices of Smitty and Needleman from Monsters, Inc.

Daniel Gerson, best known for co-writing Disney's "Big Hero 6" and Pixar's two "Monsters" films died February 6th, 2016 at his home in Los Angeles after battling brain cancer. He was 49 years old. A New York State native, Gerson grew up immersed in the arts and starring in musical theater performances at his high school. Gerson graduated with an English degree from Cornell University before receiving an MFA from New York University film school. After beginning his career as a staff writer on the NBC television sitcom "Something So Right," which ran 1996-1998, Gerson soon transitioned to feature film, co-writing 2001's "Monsters, Inc." with Andrew Stanton, as well as 2013's "Monsters University" with Dan Scanlon and Robert L. Baird. Baird and Gerson worked as writing partners for fifteen years, collaborating on "Big Hero 6," which won the Academy Award for animated feature in 2015. The pair were also at work on the upcoming Pixar sequel "Cars 3." Gerson was also a talented voice actor, voicing the characters of Needleman and Smitty in "Monsters, Inc." as well as Desk Sergeant Gerson in "Big Hero 6." Gerson is survived by his wife, Beau Stacom; his two children, Claire and Asher; his parents, Mary-Joan and Charles; and his sister, Jessica.