John Lasseter , the chief creative officeholder of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animations Studios , is taking a six - month leave of absence seizure from the company after allegations that he made several undesirable advance toward his distaff co - doer .

The news was reported by The Hollywood Reporter , who obtained a note Lasseter sent Disney employee internally . The command , put out below , line unnamed “ missteps , ” but a 2d news report , publish minutes later , specifically details several fabulously out or keeping action mechanism .

Here ’s Lasseter ’s statement :

Argentina’s President Javier Milei (left) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., holding a chainsaw in a photo posted to Kennedy’s X account on May 27. 2025.

I have always wanted our animation studios to be places where creators can search their sight with the accompaniment and coaction of other gifted animators and storytellers . This form of creative culture takes unvarying vigilance to maintain . It ’s built on reliance and regard , and it becomes fragile if any members of the squad do n’t feel appreciate . As a leader , it ’s my responsibility to ensure that does n’t happen ; and I now think I have been falling forgetful in this regard .

I ’ve recently had a number of difficult conversation that have been very painful for me . It ’s never easy to face your trip , but it ’s the only elbow room to learn from them . As a result , I ’ve been give a good deal of thought to the loss leader I am today compared to the mentor , recommend and superstar I desire to be . It ’s been brought to my care that I have made some of you experience disrespected or uncomfortable . That was never my intent . Collectively , you mean the world to me , and I deeply excuse if I have let you down . I particularly require to apologize to anyone who has ever been on the receiving goal of an undesirable hug or any other motion they felt crossed the assembly line in any way , form , or form . No matter how benign my intent , everyone has the rightfulness to mark 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 personal manner . We also share a desire to reinforce the vivacious , respectful culture that has been the foundation of our studios ’ succeeder since the source . And we agree the first step in that focussing 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 keep in the high respect , not just as creative person but as people , I know it ’s the best thing for all of us right on now . My hope is that a six - calendar month sabbatical will give me the chance to start taking better upkeep of myself , to recharge and be inspired , and ultimately return with the insight and position I require to be the leader you merit .

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I ’m immensely gallant of this team , and I cognize you will continue to wow the world in my absence seizure . I wish you all a fantastic holiday season and wait forward to working together again in the raw year .

The 2d article surmises that actress Rashida Jones , a writer on Toy Story 4 , left the project because of Lasseter ’s unwanted advance . ( Though the actress traverse this , scan her statement below ) Other sources tell the craft that many women at Disney were cognisant of his actions and well - verse in block them before they happened . you’re able to read more of the disconcerting detail here .

Lasseter is one of the co - laminitis of Pixar and has been a major driving force in Disney ’s animation resurgence in the past decade . He and his squad have been responsible for everything from Toy Story through Moana and even Coco , which opens tomorrow .

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When asked for comment , a Disney spokesperson said the pursual :

We are committed to maintaining an surround in which all employees are respected and empowered to do their best body of work . We apprize John ’s candor and solemn apologia and fully corroborate his sabbatical .

[ Hollywood newsperson ]

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Update : The original article did not have the assertion from Disney . That has now been add .

Update 2 : Rashida Jones and writing mate Will McCormack issue the following program line to the New York Times saying John Lasseter was not the rationality they left Toy Story 4 .

Rashida Jones says she did not leave Pixar due to undesirable procession from Lasseter . Rather , she says in statement ( below ) to the NYT , her exit was about a work where women and the great unwashed of colour were not valued.pic.twitter.com/ANkmKgsS9z

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— Brooks Barnes ( @brooksbarnesNYT)November 22 , 2017

Disney AnimationPixarWalt Disney

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