Dan Santat is an American author and illustrator, perhaps best known for his children's book The Guild of Geniuses and for creating the Disney Channel animated series The Replacements.
After attending high school at Camarillo (Adolfo) High School, Santat graduated from the University of California at San Diego with a Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology.[1] Santat then attended the Art Center College of Design, graduating with distinction.[2]
Santat's first children's book, The Guild of Geniuses, was published in 2004 by Arthur A Levine books. He followed that up illustrating the first Nanny Piggins book written by R.A. Sprat. and the firstOtto Undercover book series written by Rhea Perlman. Since then he has illustrated for other authors, including Dan Gutman, Barbara Jean Hicks, and Anne Isaacs.[3]
In 2005, Santat created the show, The Replacements for Disney Channel. Based on a children's book idea he was going to write,[3] the show premiered in September 2006.[4]
Santat is also a commercial illustrator, with such clients as the Wall Street Journal, Esquire, Village Voice, GQ Russia, Macworld, Macy's, and many others.[2] His work has also appeared at gallery shows - including the I Am 8 Bit art show in 2006, 2007, and 2008.[5]
Santat lives in Southern California with his wife Leah, his sons Alek and Kyle, a rabbit, a bird, and one cat.[2]