Disney/Pixar's John Lasseter takes leave of absence after 'missteps'
John Lasseter
CLOSE John Lasseter  the chief creative officer of both Pixar and Walt Disney's Animation Studios is taking a leave of absence after learning that he made some colleagues feel 'disrespected' and 'uncomfortable.' USA TODAY
 Pixar Animation Studios chief John Lasseter  offered a sneak peek at 'Cars 3' in January 2017 at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Detroit. (Photo: Romain Blanquart  Detroit Free Press)
 John Lasseter   the chief creative officer of both Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios  will take a six-month leave of absence following what  he  called "missteps."
In a memo obtained by USA TODAY   Lasseter  wrote to staff Tuesday saying that  he 's stepping down following "painful" discussions. The news broke as The Hollywood Reporter was compiling a report into alleged sexual misconduct.
Without mentioning the report   Lasseter  said in the memo: "Itâs never easy to face your missteps  but itâs the only way to learn from them. As a result  Iâve been giving a lot of thought to the leader I am today compared to the mentor  advocate and champion I want to be.
"Itâs 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. No matter how benign my intent  everyone has the right to set their own boundaries and have them respected."
USA TODAY has reached out to  Lasseter  through Disney for comment.
The Hollywood Reporter account describing  Lasseter 's alleged behavior cites sources who remain unnamed "out of fear that their careers in the tight-knit animation community would be damaged." The insiders told the industry publication that his behavior went beyond hugging to âgrabbing  kissing  making comments about physical attributes.â
The Hollywood Reporter also said that Rashida Jones and her writing partner Will McCormack left Pixar while working on Toy Story 4 because of an unwanted advance from  Lasseter .
Beyond his powerful executive role   Lasseter  has directed classic Pixar films such as Toy Story  Toy Story 2  Cars and Cars 2. Pixar has made $11 billion in worldwide box office from its 18 critically lauded feature films.
After Disney purchased Pixar in 2006   Lasseter  was named chief creative officer of both Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios.  He  has transformed Disney Animation into a powerful critical and box-office contender with hits such as Frozen and last November's Moana.
 Lasseter  is the face of contemporary animation  who famously wears a Hawaiian shirt inspired by the movie to each premiere.
CLOSE John Lasseter  the chief creative officer of both Pixar and Walt Disney's Animation Studios is taking a leave of absence after learning that he made some colleagues feel 'disrespected' and 'uncomfortable.' USA TODAY
  [TGT] offered a sneak peek at 'Cars 3' in January 2017 at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Detroit. (Photo: Romain Blanquart  Detroit Free Press)
  [TGT]    the chief creative officer of both Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios  will take a six-month leave of absence following what  he  called "missteps."
In a memo obtained by USA TODAY    [TGT] wrote to staff Tuesday saying that   [TGT]  's stepping down following "painful" discussions. The news broke as The Hollywood Reporter was compiling a report into alleged sexual misconduct.
Without mentioning the report    [TGT] said in the memo: "Itâs never easy to face your missteps  but itâs the only way to learn from them. As a result  Iâve been giving a lot of thought to the leader I am today compared to the mentor  advocate and champion I want to be.
"Itâs been brought to my attention that I have made some of you feel disrespected or uncomfortable. That was never my intent  "  [TGT] 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. No matter how benign my intent  everyone has the right to set their own boundaries and have them respected."
USA TODAY has reached out to  Lasseter  through Disney for comment.
The Hollywood Reporter account describing   [TGT]  's alleged behavior cites sources who remain unnamed "out of fear that their careers in the tight-knit animation community would be damaged." The insiders told the industry publication that his behavior went beyond hugging to âgrabbing  kissing  making comments about physical attributes.â
The Hollywood Reporter also said that Rashida Jones and her writing partner Will McCormack left Pixar while working on Toy Story 4 because of an unwanted advance from  Lasseter .
Beyond his powerful executive role   Lasseter  has directed classic Pixar films such as Toy Story  Toy Story 2  Cars and Cars 2. Pixar has made $11 billion in worldwide box office from its 18 critically lauded feature films.
After Disney purchased Pixar in 2006   Lasseter  was named chief creative officer of both Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios.  He  has transformed Disney Animation into a powerful critical and box-office contender with hits such as Frozen and last November's Moana.
 Lasseter  is the face of contemporary animation  who famously wears a Hawaiian shirt inspired by the movie to each premiere.