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Cory Edwards

Cory Edwards (born August 21, 1968) is an filmmaker, stand-up comedian, voice actor, and screenwriter, best known for directing, co-writing, and voicing the hyperactive squirrel character in the animated family film Hoodwinked! (2005) and its sequel (2011). Born in , Edwards graduated from Anderson University in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in , specializing in , and a minor in art, where he first explored through student projects, international trips, and a campus variety show called Cheap Thrills. After graduation, he began his career in the Midwest with sketch and improv comedy before transitioning to stand-up performances and early filmmaking, including directing videos and co-hosting the radio show . He later founded the production company Blue Yonder Films with his brother Todd and moved to to pursue feature films. Edwards' breakthrough came with Hoodwinked!, a low-budget independent animated retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale that he co-directed and co-wrote with his brother and collaborator Tony Leech, which grossed over $100 million worldwide despite its modest origins. Following this success, he contributed to projects like writing episodes for the animated series VeggieTales and directing the Netflix animated film Fearless (2020), in which a teenage gamer must care for three superpowered infants who emerge from his video game. In recent years, Edwards has continued his multifaceted career with stand-up comedy specials, including one on Dry Bar Comedy, the family comedy All Is Merry & Bright (2025), and upcoming animated features such as the sci-fi project Doomstar for DNEG Animation. Married to writer and actress Vicki Edwards since 1995, he resides in Texas and often collaborates with her on creative endeavors.

Early years

Family background

Cory Edwards was born on August 21, 1968, in , to James L. Edwards and Deanna Edwards. His father, James L. Edwards, earned a PhD in educational policy and leadership from and served as pastor at Meadow Park Church of God in , before becoming the fourth president of Anderson University from 1990 to 2015, overseeing significant growth including capital campaigns that raised over $200 million for campus facilities. His mother, Deanna Edwards, is a 1965 alumna of Anderson College (now Anderson University). Edwards grew up in Columbus, Ohio, alongside his two siblings: younger brother , a and , and sister Katie Hooten, a film producer who participated in early family filmmaking activities. The family relocated to , around 1990 when his father assumed the university presidency. The family's deep ties to Anderson University through his father's leadership emphasized educational values in their home environment.

Childhood and creative beginnings

Cory Edwards grew up in a Christian household in , where his father worked as a pastor, fostering an environment that encouraged creative expression within the supportive church community. As the older brother of and Katie Hooten, Cory shared early creative pursuits with his siblings, particularly through family experiments with a camera that introduced him to basics. From around age eight or nine, Edwards began creating short films, puppet shows, and radio-style productions at home, often inspired by story records from and Star Wars. These self-taught projects evolved into summer-long endeavors with his brother Todd, including adventure serials and comedies. Edwards handled storyboarding, , stunts, and editing in the family basement, developing patience and technical skills through stop-motion and practical effects without formal training. His interest in comedy emerged during youth through church sketches and vaudeville-style variety shows, where he performed for local audiences, honing comedic timing and . Animation passions were sparked by Rankin-Bass stop-motion specials and toy-based cartoons, leading to early experiments like the claymation short Bernie, a blob character navigating the house. In high school, Edwards produced a hand-drawn animated as a senior project, comprising approximately 3,000 drawings, which further showcased his budding talents in visual and set the foundation for later pursuits.

Professional career

Early media work

After graduating from Anderson University in 1990 with a in , specializing in , and a minor in art, Cory Edwards entered the media industry focusing on Christian and . In the early , Edwards hosted Signal Exchange, a Christian video program that aired daily on the INSP network, where he also served as an assistant director for related youth programs like the Saturday Weekend Jam. The show featured interviews and video segments, contributing to his early experience in on-air hosting and production within faith-based media. Edwards' interest in comedy, which began during his university years directing the campus variety show Cheap Thrills, evolved into professional stand-up performances shortly after graduation. By the mid-1990s, he was actively performing stand-up comedy across the country, building a career that included gigs at various venues and laid the groundwork for his multifaceted entertainment pursuits. His acting debut came in 1999 with a supporting role as Shane in the independent live-action Chillicothe, directed by his brother , marking his transition into on-screen work while also serving as a on the project. The , an official selection at the , explored themes of young adulthood and received positive notices for its dry wit.

Feature film directing and writing

Cory Edwards made his feature film directing debut with Hoodwinked! (2005), an animated musical comedy that parodies the fairy tale through a structure resembling a crime investigation. He co-directed the film with his brother and friend Tony Leech, while also co-writing the screenplay with them and serving as a producer. The project, developed independently before securing distribution from , emphasized witty dialogue, humor, and family-oriented themes, drawing on Edwards' background in and storytelling. Hoodwinked! achieved commercial success, grossing over $110 million worldwide against a modest budget, marking it as a profitable entry in the animated feature market. Edwards continued his involvement in the franchise with Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil (2011), where he co-wrote the screenplay alongside Mike Disa, Todd Edwards, and Tony Leech, though the directing duties went to Disa. The sequel expanded the parody elements by incorporating spy thriller tropes and further exploring the ensemble cast's dynamics in a mission to rescue Hansel and Gretel. Edwards' writing contributions maintained the film's focus on lighthearted, accessible humor suitable for all ages, reinforcing themes of teamwork and clever subversion of classic tales. In addition to the Hoodwinked series, Edwards co-wrote the screenplay for (2013), a sci-fi comedy animation centered on alien brothers navigating a secret Earth facility. Collaborating again with Tony Leech, the script highlighted Edwards' signature blend of adventurous escapades, familial bonds, and satirical takes on genre conventions, produced by in a similar vein to his earlier works. Throughout these projects, Edwards' writing style consistently prioritized collaborative scripting—often with family and close associates—to infuse scripts with relatable, humorous parodies that appeal to broad audiences.

Voice acting and animation contributions

Cory Edwards began his voice acting career prominently through his involvement in feature-length , where he provided the voice for the hyperactive, coffee-fueled squirrel in Hoodwinked! (2005), a role that showcased his talent for energetic, comedic character performance. He reprised the character in the sequel (2011), contributing to the film's ensemble of quirky forest inhabitants while also co-writing the script. In episodic animation, Edwards expanded his contributions by co-writing multiple episodes for the Christian children's series starting in 2013, focusing on faith-based narratives such as adaptations of biblical stories and moral tales featuring vegetable characters. His work on the series emphasized family-friendly themes with educational undertones, though specific voice credits remain limited to writing and creative oversight. Edwards also ventured into web-based animation, creating and voicing the titular lead in the adult-oriented series Krogzilla Gets a Job (2012–2013), an irreverent portrayal of a downsized sea monster navigating modern employment woes on the YouTube channel Shut Up! Cartoons. The series highlighted his vocal range through casual, relatable delivery, supported by a cast including Ken Marino and John O'Hurley. Earlier, he developed Roger Cosmonkey (2011), a pioneering Twitter-based narrative series that he created and starred in, blending text-driven storytelling with his comedic voice work to explore absurd adventures of a space-faring monkey. Edwards integrated his skills into his , employing character impressions and vocal impressions in specials like Island of Pants (2021), where he riffed on everyday absurdities with animated flair. This talent extended to his Thanks for Stopping By, launched in 2022, where he hosts discussions on and , often demonstrating vocal to illustrate points from his background. His early career as a , evident in pre-Hoodwinked! projects, evolved into voice direction roles, where he oversaw casting and performances in animated features, guiding actors to match visual timing and emotional beats. This progression allowed Edwards to bridge visual planning with auditory storytelling, as seen in his collaborative direction of voice sessions for indie animations.

Recent and ongoing projects

In 2023 and 2024, Cory Edwards contributed as a to the animated television series , adapting Andrew Peterson's fantasy novels for the small screen. He penned three episodes for the second season, which aired from April 5 to May 17, 2024, on the platform, focusing on themes of family adventure and peril in the fictional world of Aerwiar. He also contributed as a to the third season, which premiered on November 12, 2025. Edwards also served as screenwriter for the animated feature Goes to Camp, released in 2024, continuing his work in family-oriented comedy animation with Universal 1440 Entertainment. In a shift to live-action directing, he helmed the holiday family comedy All Is Merry & Bright, announced in 2024 and released theatrically on November 7, 2025. The film follows a resilient single mother navigating personal challenges while staging elaborate Christmas productions, starring Emily Rose and . On the digital front, Edwards released a new stand-up comedy special titled Munchkin Cops on Dry Bar Comedy via in January 2025, featuring his signature observational humor on topics like movies, family life, and everyday absurdities. His Thanks For Stopping By with Cory Edwards, which explores creativity in and media, continued with regular episodes throughout 2024 and into 2025, featuring guests from the entertainment industry. Edwards participated in industry events, delivering a keynote address at the 2024 International Christian Visual Media Conference (ICVM), where he shared insights on faith-integrated storytelling and his career in and .

Personal life

Marriage and family

Cory Edwards married Vicki Edwards on April 23, 1994. The couple met at in , where Vicki was a student, and Edwards participated in her brother Mark's show. They relocated together to to advance Edwards' aspirations, establishing a partnership that has sustained his professional endeavors. Edwards and his wife have two sons, including Nate. The family has demonstrated flexibility in supporting Edwards' career, including a temporary move to , , during production of his film Fe@rless (2020). More recently, they relocated to , reflecting a commitment to balancing family life with creative pursuits. Vicki Edwards has played a pivotal role in bolstering her husband's career transition from to film directing and writing, encouraging him to found Blue Yonder Films. While she maintains her own credits as an actress and writer—appearing in projects like Hoodwinked! (2005)—their home life emphasizes mutual support without extensive professional overlap, fostering a stable environment for Edwards' ongoing work in animation and family-oriented films.

Faith and community involvement

Cory Edwards is a devout Christian whose profoundly shapes his personal and creative life. He attended Bel Air Presbyterian in , where he was actively involved in the church's drama department. As a lead writer for the church's BADD (Bad Acting Done Done) ministry, Edwards contributed to producing short, humorous videos aimed at improving church media presentations and engaging congregations more effectively. Edwards' Christian beliefs emphasize reliance on God's guidance and a broader divine purpose amid the uncertainties of the entertainment industry. In interviews, he has described evaluating his work by asking, "What does want me to put out into the world?" and credits for providing peace through recognition of God's faithfulness in past challenges. His faith influences his approach to comedy and family life, fostering a commitment to content that balances humor with meaningful messages, often integrating subtle faith elements to resonate with audiences without overt preaching. Edwards has publicly discussed how maintaining strong Christian convictions in garners respect when paired with quality output, highlighting the industry's tolerance for diverse beliefs. In community outreach, Edwards participates in Christian media initiatives, including serving as a keynote speaker at the 2024 MediaSphere summit hosted by the International Christian Visual Media (ICVM), where he shared insights on faith-informed in and . His involvement extends to producing faith-based content, such as episodes for , which thematically align with his commitment to family-oriented, values-driven narratives. Through these roles, Edwards supports Christian communities by bridging entertainment and spiritual encouragement.

References

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