Tab Murphy was born and raised in Olympia, Washington, where he developed a strong foundation in the great outdoors. He attended Washington State University, where he initially pursued a degree in forestry and wildlife biology, but an existential crisis led him to make a dramatic career change. Tab transferred to the University of Southern California's prestigious Film School, where he studied directing and screenwriting. This bold move proved to be a turning point in his life and career.
Murphy's major breakthrough as a screenwriter came with his work on the critically acclaimed film Gorillas in the Mist (1988),which tells the inspiring story of Dian Fossey's tireless efforts to protect the endangered mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Tab's outstanding screenplay earned him an Academy Award nomination, although he admits that he didn't fully appreciate the recognition at the time. Instead, he chose to celebrate by going on a yellowtail fishing trip in Baja.
For nearly a decade, Tab was an integral part of the Disney machine, penning screenplays for a range of beloved animated features, including The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996),Tarzan (1999),Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001),and Brother Bear (2003). The latter film received a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards. During this period, Murphy also wrote and directed Last of the Dogmen (1995),a western fantasy starring Tom Berenger and Barbara Hershey.
In addition to his work in animation, Tab has written and directed several live-action projects, including the thriller Dark Country (2009),which was directed by Thomas Jane and starred him as well. The film was shot in 3-D for a Sony division. Murphy has also worked extensively in television animation, writing episodes of popular shows such as Thundercats, Scooby-Doo, and Teen Titans Go!.
Today, Tab divides his time between Los Angeles and the breathtaking Canadian Rockies, where he finds inspiration in the great outdoors. His impressive body of work is a testament to his versatility, creativity, and dedication to his craft.
