John Lasseter gets a new job after leaving Disney over sexual harassment allegations

The former Disney chief creative officer who was ousted due to sexual harassment allegations has already found himself a new gig.

John Lasseter, the animator who co-founded Pixar but left Disney in disgrace, has been hired to head Skydance Animation, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Skydance, the company that has co-produced recent Mission: Impossible and Star Trek films, has yet to release any animated movies but has several in development and has tapped Lasseter to steer the division. Skydance Media CEO David Ellison praised Lasseter Wednesday and said his "impact on the animation industry cannot be overstated."

Lasseter announced in November 2017, as the #MeToo movement was sweeping through Hollywood, that he would be taking a six-month sabbatical from Disney, citing "missteps." The Reporter wrote that Lasseter was known within Disney and Pixar for drinking excessively and making employees uncomfortable by grabbing and kissing them or commenting on their physical appearance. He referenced unwanted hugs in his letter announcing his leave of absence, though one employee told the Reporter, "If it was just unwanted hugs, he wouldn't be stepping down." Disney announced in June that Lasseter would officially exit at the end of 2018.

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Now, Lasseter has almost immediately found himself another animation job. In a letter to employees, Ellison said that Lasseter has been "analyzing and improving his workplace behavior." He also revealed that he "hired outside counsel to thoroughly investigate the allegations." Though the company has "not entered into this decision lightly," Ellison says they're confident "that his mistakes have been recognized." Lasseter "has given his assurance that he will comport himself in a wholly professional manner," Ellison added. Lasseter is expected to begin his job later this month.