Edwin Catmull

Ed Catmull's career began in the 1970s at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), where he contributed to early computer graphics research as part of a team developing foundational techniques in the field. In 1979, he joined Lucasfilm Ltd., George Lucas' production company, to lead its new computer division, bringing several NYIT colleagues with him. There, Catmull advanced computer animation technology, laying groundwork for future industry breakthroughs. By 1986, as Lucasfilm streamlined operations, Catmull's computer division spun off into an independent company acquired primarily by Steve Jobs, then heading NeXT Inc. Renamed Pixar, Catmull became its president and CEO, with Jobs as chairman. Initially focused on hardware like RenderMan software, Pixar shifted to feature films under Jobs' increasing involvement as CEO by 1995, achieving a milestone with Toy Story's release that year, followed by a successful IPO. Pixar extended its Disney partnership in 1997 amid growing revenues from films and merchandise. In 2006, Jobs sold Pixar to Disney, integrating it while Catmull was appointed president of both Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios, reporting to Disney CEO Bob Iger. In this role, he oversaw creative and operational leadership alongside John Lasseter as chief creative officer. Catmull retired from these positions in 2018 amid industry changes, including allegations of misconduct against Lasseter. His book Creativity, Inc. (2014) reflects on Pixar's culture, emphasizing leadership principles like addressing unseen barriers to innovation, mental resilience for teams, and candid communication—insights drawn from experiences like overworked artists during production crunches.