JAMES COBURN (Henry J. Waternoose), an Academy AwardŽ-winning actor with impressive credits in all areas of the show biz spectrum, gives voice to Monsters, Inc.'s crab-like CEO, a paternal leader who is faced with a severe scream shortage and the crisis of Monstropolis' first human intruder.

"Waternoose is a real company man and a bit of a crab," explains Coburn. "He's in a tough spot making sure that his company survives and he's facing some really difficult situations. He has a great affection for his top Scarer Sulley and is kind of a mentor to him.

"One of the great things about animation is that the filmmakers have the opportunity to make something perfect. They spend a lot of time tweaking things and we usually do a line over and over again until its exactly right. It's been a pleasure and a joy to work with the Pixar folks and to know that you've achieved something that's a notch or two above the rest.

"The one thing about being an actor and being in our business," adds Coburn, "is that you need imagination. You're living in your imagination. We take images that are written on paper and transform them into something real. When we tell good stories like this one that have real meaning for audiences, they will hopefully live forever."

Born in Nebraska, James Coburn first began acting at Los Angeles City College. It was there that he won his first award as supporting actor and was able to share the stage with such acting legends as Vincent Price. Moving to New York, he worked in various television commercials and such dramatic series as "Studio One" and "General Electric Theatre." Five years later, he moved back to Los Angeles and continued his studies under the teachings of Jeff Corey.

After his dazzling performance in John Sturges's "The Magnificent Seven," Coburn went on to delight audiences worldwide with roles in films like "The President's Analyst" (which he also produced), "The Great Escape," "Golden Girl," and the spy spoofs "Our Man Flint" and "In Like Flint." His starring role in the CBS miniseries "The Dain Curse" brought him superb reviews. He also starred in "High Risk," "Looker," "Mr. Patman," and, for television, "Valley of the Dolls," "Malibu," and "Draw." Two of Coburn's favorite film roles,"Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" and "The Iron Cross," teamed him with legendary director Sam Peckinpah.

Over the course of his career, Coburn has co-starred with many of today's hottest Hollywood talent, including Mel Gibson in "Maverick" and "Payback," Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Eraser," and Eddie Murphy in "The Nutty Professor." In 1999, he won the Academy AwardŽ for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Affliction," opposite Nick Nolte.

Recent television credits include "The Cherokee Kid," "The Second Civil War," and "Proximity" for HBO; Showtime's "Mastergate" and "Walter and Henry"; and "Mr. Murder" for ABC. He has also starred in "Noah's Ark" for the Hallmark Hall of Fame and "Atticus" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll" for CBS.

Coburn will soon be seen in Walt Disney Pictures' "Snow Dogs."