- Disney Animation head John Lasseter is taking a leave of absence from Pixar because of “missteps,” he wrote in a memo to Disney employees.
- There are reported allegations of misconduct by Lasseter toward Disney employees, including “grabbing, kissing, making comments about physical attributes.”
Disney Animation head John Lasseter is taking a leave of absence from Disney/Pixar due to “missteps,” according to an internal memo that was sent to staff on Tuesday, as allegations of his inappropriate conduct broke.
“It’s never easy to face your missteps, but it’s the only way to learn from them,” Lasseter wrote in the memo first obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. Business Insider has since received the memo.
Though Lasseter does not specify the missteps in his memo, THR published another story shortly after news of Lasseter’s leave of absence broke on Tuesday. In THR’s investigative report, Lasseter is accused of behavior including “grabbing, kissing, making comments about physical attributes” to Disney employees.
“As a result, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the leader I am today compared to the mentor, advocate and champion I want to be,” Lasseter went on to write in the memo. “It’s been brought to my attention that I have made some of you feel disrespected or uncomfortable. That was never my intent. Collectively, you mean the world to me, and I deeply apologize if I have let you down.”
Lasseter added in the memo that he’s taking a six-month sabbatical in the hopes it will give him “the opportunity to start taking better care of myself, to recharge and be inspired, and ultimately return with the insight and perspective I need to be the leader you deserve.”
Randi Lynn Beach/ AP
Lasseter is best known as a driving force of Pixar, and was the director on “Toy Story” 1 and 2, “Cars” 1 and 2, and “A Bug’s Life.”
In 2006, after Disney purchased Pixar, Lasseter became chief creative officer at Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Since then, both animation studios have flourished, releasing such recent Oscar winners as “Inside Out” and “Zootopia.”
Pixar is releasing its newest movie “Coco” on Thanksgiving.
“We are committed to maintaining an environment in which all employees are respected and empowered to do their best work,” a Disney spokesperson wrote in a statement to Business Insider. “We appreciate John’s candor and sincere apology and fully support his sabbatical.”
Here is Lasseter’s complete memo:
I have always wanted our animation studios to be places where creators can explore their vision with the support and collaboration of other gifted animators and storytellers. This kind of creative culture takes constant vigilance to maintain. It’s built on trust and respect, and it becomes fragile if any members of the team don’t feel valued. As a leader, it’s my responsibility to ensure that doesn’t happen; and I now believe I have been falling short in this regard.
I’ve recently had a number of difficult conversations that have been very painful for me. It’s never easy to face your missteps, but it’s the only way to learn from them. As a result, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the leader I am today compared to the mentor, advocate and champion I want to be. It’s been brought to my attention that I have made some of you feel disrespected or uncomfortable. That was never my intent. Collectively, you mean the world to me, and 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. No matter how benign my intent, everyone has the right to set their own boundaries and have them respected.
In my conversations with Disney, we are united in our commitment to always treat any concerns you have with the seriousness they deserve, and to address them in an appropriate manner. We also share a desire to reinforce the vibrant, respectful culture that has been the foundation of our studios’ success since the beginning. And we agree the first step in that direction is for me to take some time away to reflect on how to move forward from here. As hard as it is for me to step away from a job I am so passionate about and a team I hold in the highest regard, not just as artists but as people, I know it’s the best thing for all of us right now. My hope is that a six-month sabbatical will give me the opportunity to start taking better care of myself, to recharge and be inspired, and ultimately return with the insight and perspective I need to be the leader you deserve.
I’m immensely proud of this team, and I know you will continue to wow the world in my absence. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and look forward to working together again in the new year.
John
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