Disney executive on leave
LOS ANGELES: Disney animation chief John Lasseter said on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) he is taking a six-month leave of absence after acknowledging in an internal memo that he had made staff feel “disrespected or uncomfortable” with unwanted hugs.
The 60-year-old executive, best known for transforming Pixar from a small graphics - cessful animation studio in the world, was the pioneering director of “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2.”
His announcement that he is taking leave degrees of what is politely termed sexual misconduct by numerous powerful entertainment Weinstein and actor Kevin Spacey.
Lasseter apologized 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,” in the internal memo, forwarded by the entertainment giant to Agence France-Presse.
executive admitted he had been “falling short” in ensuring a culture of “trust and respect” at his animation studios.
“I’ve recently had a number of difficult
John Lasseter conversations that h have h been b very painful f lf for me. It’s never easy to face your missteps, but it’s the only way to learn from them,” he said.
“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.”
He acknowledged that his staff had the right to set their own boundaries and have them respected, “no matter how benign my intent.”
He said he had agreed with Disney execu- how to move forward” and “start taking better care of myself.”
“We are committed to maintaining an environment in which all employees are respected and empowered to do their best work,” a Disney spokesman said in a statement.
“We appreciate John’s candor and sincere apology and fully support his sabbatical.”
Entertainment trade paper The Hollywood Reporter, citing multiple unnamed sources, described a “pattern of alleged misconduct detailed by Disney/Pixar insiders” by Lasseter, some of which had involved the actress Rashida Jones.
The weekly’s report— unconfirmed by Disney or Lasseter—quoted a longtime Pixar employee claiming Lasseter was known for “grabbing, kissing, making comments about physical attributes.”
The report said Lasseter had made “unwanted advances” on Jones, who is best known for the NBC comedy “Parks and Recreation” and is credited as a writer on the upcoming “Toy Story 4.”
His behavior caused the star to leave the project early, sources told THR, although a studio source told the paper the departure was over “creative differences.”