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Jonathan Garson has been promoted to president of Pixar Animation Studios, while chief executive Jim Morris moves to president emeritus as he prepares to retire. The Walt Disney Company, which owns Pixar, announced the leadership move on Wednesday afternoon.
Garson, who has enjoyed 30 years at Disney and was most recently Pixar’s general manager after leading its marketing and licensing team, will become president on January 4.
Disney says Morris, who has been with Pixar for 21 years and has served as president for the past 12 years, will remain involved with Pixar through a role as an executive producer on “Incredibles 3” (due June 2028), along with talent development, mentoring and technology initiatives. Garson and Morris will both report to Alan Bergman, chairman of Disney Entertainment and Studios for The Walt Disney Company.
“Having worked closely with Jim Morris for more than 20 years, I have great respect for his leadership and unwavering commitment to Pixar and its people,” Bergman wrote in a statement leading the press release about the leadership changes. “He is not only a great business partner but a great friend. As we prepare for his retirement, this transition will ensure a smooth continuity for the team.”
Bergman continues, “With a deep background at both Pixar and Disney, Jonathan Garson has been an outstanding director with a strong sense of what makes Pixar unique and how its story comes to life in so many ways for fans, and Pete Docter and I are excited to step into this role. Additionally, Jonas Rivera brings a wealth of creative experience that will better serve the team with Pete.”
Morris’ statement continues: “Directing Pixar has been a privilege throughout my life, and I’m honored to be a steward of their legacy alongside incredible artists, storytellers and technicians who continue to define what animation can do and expand the art of cinema. of special projects, working with my friends Pete, Jonathan, and Jonas at Pixar, and of course Alan Bergman, who has been so supporter of Pixar over the years Looking forward, I can think of no one better than Jonathan to carry on the legacy of this beloved studio, he is a Pixar person through and through, a strong supporter of our films, our people, and our culture is great.
Garson then writes, “I still remember seeing ‘Toy Story’ for the first time – never thinking I’d one day work at Pixar, let alone step into a leadership role like this. Every day I walk in the door here, I’m reminded of how special this place is and how lucky I am to be a part of it. Jim has shown me what it’s like to protect the this culture of quality and creativity, both for the innovation and the trust, I am very grateful for protecting this culture of quality, creativity and trust. It is a humbling opportunity, and I look forward to working with Pete, Jonas, the production management team led by Katherine Sarafian and Lindsey Collins, and all the amazing talent here at Pixar as we continue to push boundaries and lead our studio of the future.”
Along with Garson, Pixar will also bump Jonas Rivera to executive vice president of creative directors, management, creative vice president, development departments, casting, and content advice, in partnership with Docter. Both serve as executive producers on all Pixar films.
“From the moment I walked through those doors as Pixar’s first production employee, this place, its people, and its stories have been my life’s work,” said Rivera. “I’m honored to step into this new role with Pete, partnering with him and Jonathan to support our incredible filmmakers and artists. Jim has been a great mentor and leader, and I look forward to building on the lessons I’ve learned from him as we look to our next chapter.”
Pixar is coming off a sequel success in “Toy Story 5,” which earned more than $1.1 billion at the global box office to rank as the 10th highest-grossing animated feature of all time. Above are two original features – “Gatto” in March and “Ghost Market” in March 2028 – followed by “Incredibles 3”.
