Jan 6, 2009–Disney-Pixar's Ed Catmull will receive the Gordon E. Sawyer Oscar for technical contributions to the industry. “Ed is one of the rare individuals who can bridge the space between science and art,” Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences prexy Sid Ganis said in announcing the award.
A computer scientist by training, Catmull is a co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios who now serves as president of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studio. “I had two heroes: Walt Disney and Albert Einstein,” Catmull said. “I never thought I'd go down this path. It's been a great adventure.”
The Academy has previously bestowed two Scientific and Engineering Awards, a Technical Achievement Award and an Academy Award of Merit on Catmull. He will receive his Oscar statuette at the Scientific and Technical Awards banquet to be held February 7 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.