In front of the El Capitan theater, Academy Award Winning Director John Lasseter received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame on November 1, 2011 surrounded by Cars 2 and other Pixar voice talent including Bonnie Hunt, Owen Wilson, Brad Paisley, Emily Mortimer, John Ratzenberger, Patton Oswalt, Don Rickles, Randy Newman and Cheech Marin. However, a missing Pixar icon received a notable tribute. Lasseter honored the late Steve Jobs’ memory at the ceremony, saying that “There is one last person I want to share this with, and that is my partner Steve Job. Without Steve, Pixar wouldn’t exist. These films wouldn’t exist. I honor him. The only thing Steve Jobs ever asked of me was, ‘John, make it great’.” Official press release below:
Photos by: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages
HOLLYWOOD, CA – November 1, 2011 — Two-time Academy Award®-winning director John Lasseter today received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame from the The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. In addition to his many and varied feature animation film credits, Lasseter serves as Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and Principal Creative Advisor, Walt Disney Imagineering.
The celebration was emceed by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Leron Gubler, with special guest speaker, actress Bonnie Hunt. Also joining the celebration were Owen Wilson, Brad Paisley, Emily Mortimer, John Ratzenberger, Patton Oswalt, Don Rickles, Randy Newman and Cheech Marin. Key Disney and Pixar executives in attendance included Studio Chairman Rich Ross, Studio President Alan Bergman, Production President Sean Bailey, Disney and Pixar Animation Studios President Ed Catmull, Pixar General Manager Jim Morris, among many other prestigious guests.
Lasseter’s star is the 2,453rd on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is located in front of the historic El Capitan Theatre. The event was followed by an exclusive luncheon specially prepared by celebrity chef Guy Fieri.
Lasseter made his feature film directorial debut with the now classic “Toy Story,” which was the first-ever feature length computer animated motion picture. He subsequently directed the international box office hits “A Bug’s Life,” “Toy Story 2,” “Cars” and “Cars 2.” Creatively overseeing all films and associated projects from Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, his executive producing credits include the Oscar®-winning and nominated Pixar films “Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “WALL-E,” “Up” and “Toy Story 3.” He also served as executive producer for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award®-nominated features “Bolt,” “The Princess and the Frog” and “Tangled,” as well as the studio’s most recent release “Winnie the Pooh.” Lasseter is also the executive producer of Pixar’s new animated feature “Brave,” which will be released in 2012.
A graduate of CalArts with a BFA in film, Lasseter is the only two-time winner of the Student Academy Award® for Animation for his student films “Lady and the Lamp” and “Nitemare.”