Travis Knight

Biography

Travis Knight is an American filmmaker, animator, and producer best known for his work in stop-motion animation and for directing the live-action blockbuster Bumblebee. As the president and CEO of Laika, he has played a pivotal role in establishing the studio as a leader in innovative animated filmmaking.

Early Life and Background

Travis Andrew Knight was born on September 13, 1973, in Hillsboro, Oregon. He is the son of Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike. Despite his family’s business background, Travis Knight pursued a career in the arts, particularly animation and storytelling.

He attended Portland State University, where he studied liberal arts and developed a deeper interest in film and creative media.

Career in Animation and Laika

Knight joined Laika, the Oregon-based animation studio known for its distinctive stop-motion films. Over time, he rose to become president and CEO, guiding the studio’s creative direction and technological innovation.

Laika became widely recognized for visually striking and narratively ambitious animated features, including:

Coraline

ParaNorman

The Boxtrolls

Kubo and the Two Strings

Knight made his directorial debut with Kubo and the Two Strings, a critically acclaimed fantasy adventure praised for its emotional storytelling and groundbreaking animation. The film received Academy Award nominations, including Best Animated Feature.

His leadership helped advance stop-motion animation by blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital technology.

Transition to Live-Action: Bumblebee

In 2018, Knight directed Bumblebee, a spin-off of the Transformers franchise. The film starred Hailee Steinfeld and was praised for its character-driven storytelling and emotional depth, distinguishing it from earlier entries in the series.

Bumblebee marked Knight’s successful transition from animation to live-action filmmaking, demonstrating his versatility as a director.