William Damaschke, born November 20, 1963, is a renowned American film executive and producer, currently serving as the president of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. With a career spanning over two decades, Damaschke has made a significant impact in the industry, particularly during his 20-year tenure at DreamWorks Animation, where he held the position of Chief Creative Officer.
During his time at DreamWorks, Damaschke was instrumental in the creative, artistic, and operational direction of the company, overseeing the release of some of its most successful franchise films, including Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, and The Croods. His creative vision also extended to the company's live theatrical productions, with notable successes such as the award-winning Shrek the Musical.
As a producer, Damaschke has been involved in various projects, including the Broadway musical The Prom, directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, which ran at the Longacre Theatre from November 15, 2018, to August 11, 2019. His other notable productions include Half Time, directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, which premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in the spring of 2018, and the stage adaptation of Moulin Rouge, directed by Alex Timbers, for which Damaschke serves as executive producer.
In addition to his work at DreamWorks, Damaschke was also the president of Skydance Animation, further solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the animation industry.
