Disney Animation, Pixar chief John Lasseter takes leave after ‘missteps’
FILE – In this Feb. 28, 2016 file photo, Pixar co-founder and Walt Disney Animation chief John Lasseter arrives at the Oscars in Los Angeles. Lasseter is taking a six-month leave of absence citing “missteps” with employees. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Just days before Pixar’s “Coco” is set to hit theaters, Pixar co-founder and Walt Disney Animation chief John Lasseter announced he is taking a six-month leave of absence citing “missteps” with employees.
The boisterous, Hawaiian shirt-wearing personality behind some of the most beloved children’s films of the past 30 years like “Toy Story” is the latest entertainment titan to be exposed for claims of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct in the workplace.
This includes a reported “unwanted advance” toward actress and writer Rashida Jones, who had been working on the script for “Toy Story 4.”
In a vaguely-worded memo obtained by The Associated Press Tuesday, Lasseter says he knows he has made some employees feel disrespected and uncomfortable.
“I deeply apologize if I have let you down. I especially want to apologize to anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line in any way, shape, or form,” Lasseter wrote.
“No matter how benign my intent, everyone has the right to set their own boundaries and have them respected.”
A Disney spokesperson says the company is committed to maintaining a respectful work environment and fully supports Lasseter’s sabbatical.
A report in the entertainment trade The Hollywood Reporter, citing unnamed sources, details a culture in which Lasseter was known to hug, kiss and grope female employees. His well-documented hugs were at one time apparently publicly regarded as a quirk of employment under Lasseter.
The Wall Street Journal had even cheekily detailed his proclivity for hugs in a 2011 story and photo spread subtitled “A sampling from among the 48 hugs administered by Pixar chief John Lasseter during the WSJ’s daylong adventure with him.”
Lasseter said he will use the sabbatical to take better care of himself, recharge and “Ultimately return with the insight and perspective I need to be the leader you deserve.” He told employees he looks forward to working together again in the new year.
Jones’ departure not due to misconduct
According to an Entertainment Weekly report, Jones and her writing partner Will McCormack cited that it was a failure to represent female and minority voices that led them to leave the project.
“We did not leave Pixar because of unwanted advances. That is untrue. We parted ways because of creative and, more importantly, philosophical differences. There is so much talent at Pixar, and we remain enormous fans of their films. However, it is also a culture where women and people of color do not have an equal creative voice.”
They noted that only one of Pixar’s 20 films has been co-directed by a woman and only one has been directed by a person of color.
The 60-year-old is known for directing films like “Toy Story,” ”Toy Story 2,” ”A Bug’s Life” and “Cars,” and has produced every Pixar feature since 2001’s “Monster’s, Inc.” He has been the chief creative officer for Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios since 2006, when Disney purchased Pixar, and has overseen the recent Disney Animation renaissance with hits like “Frozen,” ”Moana” and “Zootopia,” which won the Oscar for best animated feature this year. NVG
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