John Lasseter, the chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studio and co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, will exit at year's end, the Walt Disney Corporation announced Friday.
Lasseter will complete a sabbatical he began in November following reports of inappropriate workplace behavior — he referred to them as "missteps" — and take a consulting role at the Walt Disney Company until December 31.
After that, Lasseter "will be leaving the company," a memo from Walt Disney Corporation stated.
“The last six months have provided an opportunity to reflect on my life, career and personal priorities,” said Lasseter, in the statement released by Disney. “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."
Robert Iger, Walt Disney Company's chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement that Lasseter had a "remarkable tenure" at Pixar and Disney Animation.
The 61-year-old Lasseter, easily recognizable for his bright Hawaiian shirts, is the highest-ranking Hollywood executive to be toppled in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Lasseter is one of the original creative forces behind Pixar Animation Studios, which has produced classic animated films such as Toy Story, Up, Inside Out, The Incredibles and The Incredibles 2 (which opens June 15.)
He directed films such as A Bug's Life (1998), Toy Story 2 (1999), Cars (2006), and Cars 2 (2011).
Lasseter's sabbatical followed coincided with a November Hollywood Reporter investigation highlighting his workplace behavior. Insiders told the industry publication that his conduct went beyond hugging to "grabbing, kissing, making comments about physical attributes."
At the time, Lasseter sent out a memo to staff referring to "missteps."
"It’s been brought to my attention that I have made some of you feel disrespected or uncomfortable. That was never my intent," Lasseter wrote. "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," he added. "No matter how benign my intent, everyone has the right to set their own boundaries and have them respected."
In Iger's memo Friday, he praised Lasseter for "reinventing the animation business, taking breathtaking risks, and telling original, high quality stories that will last forever. We are profoundly grateful for his contributions."
This included "a masterful and remarkable turnaround of The Walt Disney Animation Studios," Iger noted.
As the head of Walt Disney Animation Studios, Lasseter oversaw a resurgence for the Mouse House, which included major hits such as 2013's Frozen, Moana and Zootopia (both 2016).
Contributing: The Associated Press
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