Pixar Promotes Jonathan Garson to President, Taking Reins from Retiring Executive Jim Morris

Jonathan Garson has been promoted to the role of president at Pixar Animation Studios, while standing executive Jim Morris moves into the role of president emeritus as he prepares for retirement. The Walt Disney Company, which owns Pixar, announced the leadership transition Wednesday afternoon.

Garson, who has notched 30 years at Disney and most recently served as Pixar’s general manager after leading its marketing and franchise team, will become president on January 4. The role will see him oversee production and operations at the animation giant, partnering with chief creative officer Pete Docter.

Disney states that Morris, who has been with Pixar for 21 years and served as president for the past 12, will remain involved with Pixar through an executive producer role on “Incredibles 3” (due out in June 2028), along with talent development, mentorship and technology initiatives. Both Garson and Morris will 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 enormous respect for his leadership and unwavering commitment to Pixar and its people,” Bergman wrote in a statement leading the press release on the leadership changes. “He’s not only a tremendous partner in business but a great friend. As we prepare for his eventual retirement, this transition will ensure a smooth succession for the team.”

Bergman continues, “With a deep background at both Pixar and Disney, Jonathan Garson has proven to be an exceptional leader with a strong sense of what makes Pixar unique and how its storytelling comes to life in so many ways for fans, and Pete Docter and I are excited for him to step into this role. In addition, Jonas Rivera brings a wealth of creative expertise that will serve the team well as he works even more closely with Pete.”

Morris’ statement follows: “Leading Pixar has been the privilege of a lifetime, and I’m honored to have been a steward of its legacy alongside extraordinary artists, storytellers, and technologists who keep redefining what animation can do and expanding the art of cinema. After 52 years in the business, and almost 40 at Lucasfilm and Pixar, I’ll be stepping back from the day-to-day, but I’m thrilled to move into handling a number of special projects, working alongside my friends Pete, Jonathan, and Jonas at Pixar, and of course Alan Bergman, who has been such a supporter of Pixar throughout the years. Looking ahead, I can’t think of anyone better than Jonathan to carry the legacy of this beloved studio forward. He’s a Pixar person through and through, a fierce champion of our films, our people, and our culture. Pixar is in very good hands.”

Garson then writes, “I still remember seeing ‘Toy Story’ for the first time – never imagining I’d one day work at Pixar, let alone step into a leadership role such as this. Every day I walk in the door here, I’m reminded just how special this place is and how lucky I am to be a part of it. Jim has shown me what it looks like to safeguard this culture of quality, innovation, and creative ambition, and I’m extremely grateful to both him and Alan for their trust and support. It’s a humbling opportunity, and I look forward to working with Pete, Jonas, the production leadership team led by Katherine Sarafian and Lindsey Collins, and all of the extraordinary talent here at Pixar as we continue to push boundaries and lead our studio into the future.”

Pixar is coming off of a sequel success in “Toy Story 5,” which earned over $1.1 billion at the global box office to rank as the 10th-highest-grossing animated feature of all time. Up next are two original features — “Gatto” in March and “Ghost Market” in March 2028 — followed by “Incredibles 3.”