Pixar co-founder John Lasseter to leave Disney after accusations of sexual misconduct
Disney's chief creative officer, who headed up the animation studios of Disney, Pixar and DisneyToon, will be departing the conglomerate at the end of the year, following a lengthy leave of absence.
In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, allegations were made against Disney Pixar's chief creative officer John Lasseter. He was reportedly known for getting drunk at company events and for "grabbing, kissing and making comments about physical attributes of women". The company was also allegedly "never a welcoming environment for women". Lasseter was also accused of taking credit for others' work.
He announced in November that he was taking a leave of absence and now Disney have confirmed that Lasseter will be stepping down. He will remain in a "consulting" role until December 31, 2018, but will not have an office during that time.
The Walt Disney Company have not yet announced his replacements, although it's believed that Frozen director Jennifer Lee and Up director Pete Docter are in the running.
The 61-year-old Lasseter, who is one of the founders of Pixar, remains the best-known name currently working in animation – known for his childlike, cheerful demeanour and Hawaiian shirts. He helped to produce a string of hits, including Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Monsters, Inc and Finding Nemo.
When he announced that he was taking a sabbatical, a leaked memo revealed that he acknowledged that he had been "falling short" when it came to making other members of the team feel valued, and referred to putting people on the "receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line" as "missteps".
Lasseter was also the subject of an investigation by the Hollywood Reporter, which published testimony from multiple current and former Disney employees. Some recalled how the female members of staff would reportedly sit in a certain way to prevent Lasseter's hands from wandering and touching their thighs.
Since taking a leave of absence, Lasseter has not been seen at high-profile industry events. Instead he has reportedly been spending time in in Italy and New Zealand.
Disney's CEO Bob Iger released a statement late on Friday saying, “John had a remarkable tenure at Pixar and Disney Animation, reinventing the animation business, taking breathtaking risks, and telling original, high quality stories that will last forever. We are profoundly grateful for his contributions, which included a masterful and remarkable turnaround of The Walt Disney Animation Studios. One of John’s greatest achievements is assembling a team of great storytellers and innovators with the vision and talent to set the standard in animation for generations to come."
33 Hollywood stars who have spoken out about Harvey Weinstein
“The last six months have provided an opportunity to reflect on my life, career and personal priorities,” said John Lasseter in the statement. “While I remain dedicated to the art of animation and inspired by the creative talent at Pixar and Disney, I have decided the end of this year is the right time to begin focusing on new creative challenges. I am extremely proud of what two of the most important and prolific animation studios have achieved under my leadership and I’m grateful for all of the opportunities to follow my creative passion at Disney.”
Following the impact of the Weinstein scandal, earlier this year Disney appeared to be taking steps to address the issues. Longtime human resources chief Lori McAdams, who was reportedly seen by many as one of Lasseter's chief protectors, is said to be leaving the company, and a "day of listening" was held at the Disney animation unit, where senior figures and human resources professionals discussed concerns with the animation team.