The animated documentaryPiece by Piecestars Pharrell Williams and some of music’s biggest stars as themselves. Animated in the style of LEGO toys and following the style ofThe LEGO Movie,Piece by Pieceis a bio-pic documentary that explores the life of Pharrell Williams. The narrative is a largely straight-forward approach to his story, staring in his youth growing up in public assisted housing and building to his massive success in the music industry.
Directed by Academy Award-winning documentarian Morgan Neville,the LEGO-themedPiece by Pieceembraces the fun of the film’s presentation by leaning into the trademark sense of goofy excitement that usually comes associated with LEGO. The film recreates several hit music videos from over the course of Williams' career, using the music to chart his development into a popular producer as well as the challenges he faced in his personal life. To flesh out the cast, Neville was even able to recruit a deep bench of stars to speak about Williams. Here are the stars who appear inPiece by Piece.
Pharrell Williams As Himself
Born August 17, 2025
Actor: Pharrell Williams is the main character and subject ofPiece by Piece.Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Pharrell founded the production duo the Neptunes alongside collaborator Chad Hugo. The pair joined up with Shay Haley to form the band N.E.R.D.Williams rose to prominence as a music producer, with the Neptunes collaborating with the likes of Jay-Z, Britney Spears, and Snoop Dogg. Williams is one of the most successful music producers and performers of the 21st century, withsongs in theDespciable Mefilmsand hits like “Happy” and “Get Lucky” earning him thirteen Grammy Awards.
Piece by Piece
Himself
Character:Pharrell plays himself inPiece by Piece. The film is framed as a the present-day music producer reflecting on his life, with extended flashbacks serving as the primary plot of the movie. Pharrell goes from a musically-inclined child to an ambitious young man, steadily rising up in the music industry. Williams is notably honest in his portrayal, recalling the highs and lows of his career with charming and candid delivery.
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Morgan Neville As Himself
Born June 22, 2025
Actor: Born in Los Angeles, Morgan Neville is the director and co-star of Piece by Piece. The acclaimed filmmaker has been largely focused on documentaries. After years of producing critically acclaimed films,his work on20 Feet From Stardomearned him an Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature. He’s subsequently earned high acclaim for films likeBest of Enemies(about political rivals Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley) andWon’t You Be My Neighbor?(about Fred Rogers).
2014
2018
2024
Character: Morgan Neville plays himself inPiece by Piece. Despite documentarians often doing their best to remain objective and somewhat removed from their films,Morgan plays a key role in interviewing Pharrell. The film is largely portrayed as a conversation between the two men that is filmed and then animated in LEGO-form. Neville offers an outside perspective on Williams' life and experiences, chiming in with observations, questions, and moral support as needed. It’s a minor role in the film’s narrative but a vital one in its presentation.
Born July 11, 2025
Actor: Chad Hugo is a music producer andfounded the group known as the Neptunes alongside Pharrell. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, Chad Hugo is a successful music producer. Meeting Pharrell Williams in a school band, the pair became close friends and formed the production duo known as the Neptunes in 1992. After working with Wreckx-n-Effect’s “Rump Shaker” while still a student, the pair relocated to New York City and began collaborating with many of music’s biggest stars. On top of this, Hugo and Williams formed the band N.E.R.D. alongside their other friend Shay Haley.
Character:Hugo is one of the more notable supporting characters inPiece by Piece, with his friendship to Williams serving as a key moment in the producer’s life. Their early friendship develops into a healthy collaboration, with the pair coming up in the industry together. However, Hugo eventually takes a step back from the limelight that Williams is increasingly drawn to, leading to the eventual breaking up of the Neptunes.
Where To Watch Piece By Piece: Showtimes & Streaming Status
Pharrell Williams' life and music career unfold in a LEGO-style animated movie called Piece by Piece, and there are options for where to watch it.
Piece By Piece’s Supporting Cast
Piece by Piece’s Supporting Cast Is Full Of Music’s Biggest Stars
Pharrell Williams has worked with some of the biggest names in music, both alongside Chad Hugo and on his own. As a result, dozens of legendary musicians appear in the film as themselves. This includes in the flashbacks that carry most of the film, as well as in interview segments. Some of the other stars include other Virginia Beach residents who grew up alongside Pharrell, like Shae Haley, Pusha T, Timbaland, and Missy Elliot.
Music producer Teddy Riley plays a key role in elevating the Neptunes in the first place.Other musicians who’ve collaborated with Pharrell and the Nepunes appear in the film, including Busta Rhymes, N.O.R.E., Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake, Daft Punk, and Kendrick Lamar. Coupled with appearances from Pharrell’s parents Carolyn and Pharoah to his wife Helen,Piece by Piecegoes out of its way to portray the story of Pharrell’s life and career with a grounded but infectious sense of glee.
Cast
Piece by Piece, released in 2024, embarks on a vibrant animated journey through the life of cultural icon Pharrell Williams. Presented through LEGO animation, the film explores Williams’s evolution and contributions to music, offering audiences a unique visual and sonic exploration of his creative legacy.
