John Douglas Turner

Douglas Wood is an American writer, actor, and creative executive with extensive experience in animation development and production. He has held executive positions at major studios such as Amblin Entertainment, Warner Bros., and Universal, contributing to numerous award-winning animated films and television series. His career spans acting, comedy, and writing for a wide range of media, including children's programming for platforms like Disney, Apple TV+, PBS, and National Geographic.

Beyond his work in animation, Wood has also directed and produced short films, receiving festival awards for his efforts. In 2020, he authored the psychological thriller novel "Ladies of the Canyon." He has also dedicated time to teaching improvisation, both in professional settings and for senior citizens, and has recently begun writing movie reviews. His diverse background includes theatrical performances in Chicago and London, and a notable comedy duo that appeared on "The Merv Griffin Show."

Douglas Wood has established a significant career in the animation industry, serving as a creative executive for prominent companies including Amblin Entertainment, Turner Pictures, Warner Bros., and Universal. He was involved in the development and production of critically acclaimed animated features like "The Iron Giant" and "Cats Don't Dance," as well as popular children's series such as "Tiny Toon Adventures" and "Animaniacs." Wood also created original animated series, including "Little Einsteins" for Disney and "Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies" for National Geographic. His writing credits extend to numerous other children's shows for networks and platforms like Apple TV+, Nickelodeon, Discovery Kids, and the BBC.

In addition to his extensive work in animation, Douglas Wood has ventured into other creative fields. He authored the psychological thriller novel "Ladies of the Canyon," published in 2020. Wood has also directed and produced several live-action short films, including "Hi, Lillian" and "Entanglement," both of which garnered awards at various film festivals. "Hi, Lillian" earned him an award for Best Emerging Filmmaker, while "Entanglement" received accolades for Best Short. More recently, he has begun contributing movie reviews for local publications.

Wood's career began with a foundation in acting and performance. He was active in Chicago's theatre scene, performing with companies like The Next Theatre Company and Steppenwolf Theatre, and studied drama in both the United States and London. He also formed a comedy duo, "The Fine Line," which performed in clubs and theaters and appeared on "The Merv Griffin Show." This background in performance informs his later work, including his decade-long volunteer effort teaching improvisation to senior citizens at the Motion Picture and Television Fund and his current role teaching improvisation at the University of New Mexico.