John Lasseter, the chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, says he’s taking a six month leave of absence amid sexual harassment allegations.
Lasseter announced his sabbatical Tuesday.
That same day, The Hollywood Reporter published allegations that the Pixar co-founder is known for “grabbing, kissing, and making comments about physical attributes.”
In an internal memo sent to Disney employees, Lasseter said “It’s been brought to my attention that I have made some of you feel disrespected or uncomfortable,” he wrote in an email. “That was never my intent. ”
In the statement, Lasseter also acknowledged “painful” conversations and unspecified “missteps,” and apologized to those who may have been “on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line.”
A spokesperson for Disney wrote: “We appreciate John’s candor and sincere apology and fully support his sabbatical.”
Disney bought Pixar in 2006 in roughly a $7 billion deal that made Lasseter the chief creative officer for the company’s two animation studios.
Lasseter is credited with a resurgence for Disney’s Animation, which has seen recent hits like “Frozen” and “Moana.”
He’s also an executive producer for “Coco,” Pixar’s latest film scheduled to hit theaters on Wednesday.