Justin Wright 1981-2008

To say it was a sad day today at Pixar is an understatement. Justin Wright, a talented story artist here at Pixar died last night due to a heart attack. Justin was only 27. He was born with a number of heart defects that ultimatley resulted in a heart transplant at age 12. He grew up painfully aware of his own mortality. Perhaps it was this knowledge that made him so passionate and enthusiastic about everything he did. Or, more than likely, that was just Justin. I only knew Justin about a year, and only got to work with him for a few months. In that time, I learned that he was a brilliant artist and a gifted story teller, as is evidenced by his blog; Charlie, a deck Hand. . He was also quite the guitarist, able to not only write songs, but seemingly play the entire Dave Mathews catalog. (He was a HUGE Dave Mathews fan, a fact that earned him no end of ribbing among the Pixar story crowd). It goes without saying that Justin was a nice guy, but he was more than that. He was kind, warm and endlessly encouraging. I'll miss playing pool (badly) with him. I'll miss hearing him walk around the halls, strumming his guitar. I'll miss teasing him about Dave Mathews. I'll miss him admonishing me for not owning an Xbox 360. I'll miss his "Dude! Sweet!" when he sees a drawing he likes. I'll miss not getting to know him better.
My heart and my prayers go out to his girlfreind Ashlee and his family.
See you around, Justin.
-John

Comments

[Marco Milone]

I've just watched his Portfolio. He was a great artist!

[Gareth]

My sympathies go out to his family and friends, I just checked his blog out and he was a real talent.

[Michael J. Ruocco]

I've read his blog too. He had such great talent, very appealing stuff. It's so sad how a man with such marvelous talent had to leave the world so young.

My condolences to his family & his friends.

[Ken Bruce]

Hey Mr. Sanford! Pretty horrible news. I, of course, feel your loss. I loved Justin's energy and passion and will always remember his visits to our office. I hope you're doing well; miss you and think the world of you! Ken.

[Larry Levine]

I wish to offer my sincerest condolences to Justin's family & friends.

[Lee-Roy]

John — I've been reading all the posts about Justin and perused his blog. I didn't know him, but I feel a kinship. He was a fellow story guy, cartoonist, and his passion is something I can totally identify with. It's very sad news, indeed. I'm saddened by it and just contemplating this as I can. I wanted to maybe post something on my blog, but again, I didn't know him. Maybe I'll just leave this comment for now. I'm making a very quiet place in my heart and in my thoughts for him.

As you all at Pixar mourn and miss Justin, also remember that he was a cartoonist and I'm guessing he would probably want you all to continue having fun and making great stories. Best wishes.

[Ben Williams]

This is so sad. It is truly unfair that someone so talented was taken so young. Hopefully his friends and family can take comfort in the fact that, despite his complications, he lived his life to the fullest, with passion and enthusiasm. Something I feel, everyone should strive for.

My heart goes out to his friends and family.

I'm sure he will be missed.

[John]

We had a little rememberance for Justin today. We gathered together in the screening room and watched some of Justin's favorite comedies. The first was a strange british comedy show called "The Mighty Boosh". I haven't seen enthusiasm for a show like this in a human being ever. According to Justin, it was the Alpha and Omega of comedy. "If you don't laugh at this, then there is something seriously wrong with you" he'd say, or something like that. We laughed, trading stories about how hard Justin would push people to watch that show. After "Boosh", we watched an episode of BBC's the office. It was the episode where David sings those ridiculous songs during the training seminar, a favorite of Justin's according to Nick Sung. Then, it was on to the first episode of "The Flight of the Conchords". Are we sensing a pattern here? It was obvious that Justin loved it when music and comedy meet. It was really nice to remember him that way.
Which reminds me, I gotta talk to the guys in "Plot Device" about doing a Justin tribute at our next gig. My idea? A "Flight of the Conchords" medly. Or perhaps "Free love on the Free love Freeway"....
Thank you everyone for your commments.
-John

[Nick Sung]

John! That's an awesome idea! Well now I can't wait for the next Plot Device gig; maybe at the auction? And the DMB song was a terrific tribute. Justin would be so pleased and embarrassed and moved at all this.

[Steve LeCouilliard]

I'm really sorry to hear of your loss, John. It's amazing to hear about someone like Justin who achieved so much in such a short lifetime. Hell, I know how hard you have to work in this business and I haven't made it half as far as him. Who knows what he could have done if he'd been with us longer. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.

[James Sanford]

Sorry to hear about your co-worker. Hope all is well otherwise.

Just a note to everyone who reads this, my TWIN brother, John turns the big 40 on Sunday!

[Nathan]

I was Justin's youth pastor from 94-99 in Napa. When I met him he was short and plump and his face was ballooned up from reaction to the anti-rejection meds for his new heart. After he finally got off of them, it was a joy to see him grow tall and slim down. He just blossomed. But his joyful and fun-loving spirit was always there from the first day I met him. On a side note, his mother who taught at our church school, knowing my love for reptiles, gifted me the classroom pet. It was a leopard gecko named Lizzie. Lizzie was lost in the classroom for 5 months. When she was found at the end of the year, she was skin and bones. Mrs. Wright said if I could nurse her back to health, I could keep her. That must have been around '96 or '97. Well, Lizzie is blind in one eye and can't see out of the other so I have to feed her crickets and mealworms by hand, but she's still alive! I often think of the Wright family when I care for Lizzie. My heart aches with them now for their loss, but rejoices with them in the hope of the resurrection when Justin will receive a new body with a perfect heart. Eagerly looking forward to that great day of reunion, NLK

[Marcelo Vignali]

So sorry to hear about your friend Justin. Please extend our sympathies to his family if you get a chance to see them.

--Moe