Pixar’s Cars was dedicated to Joe Ranft after his death during the film’s production.
Ranft was a major Pixar story artist, screenwriter, director and voice actor. He co-directed Cars with John Lasseter, co-wrote the screenplay and voiced characters including Red and Peterbilt. He died in a car accident on August 16, 2005, before the film was completed.
The dedication recognizes his creative contribution and long association with Pixar. Cars was released in 2006 and became his final film credit during his lifetime. The movie’s closing dedication appears alongside a tribute to his work and friendship.
Ranft also worked on films such as Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc. and Finding Nemo. Cars 2 and Cars 3 were made after his death, so they are not the film referenced by this dedication.