Jonathan Garson to Succeed Jim Morris as Pixar President

Jonathan Garson will become president of Pixar Animation Studios on Jan. 4, 2027, succeeding Jim Morris, who will move into a president emeritus position. Morris has spent 21 years at Pixar, including 12 as president. Garson will work alongside Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter as he takes responsibility for the studio’s production and operations.

Alan Bergman, chairman of Disney Entertainment and Studios at The Walt Disney Company, announced the changes Wednesday. Both Garson and Morris will report to him. Bergman described the transition as preparation for Morris’ eventual retirement and praised Garson’s understanding of Pixar’s identity and the ways its storytelling connects with audiences.

Garson’s responsibilities will include oversight of producers, department heads and post-production. The studio recently released the billion-dollar hit “Toy Story 5” and has two original animated features, “Gatto” and “Ghost Market,” on its upcoming slate. Garson has worked at Disney for more than 30 years and joined Pixar in 2010. He most recently held the general manager position after previously leading the studio’s marketing and franchise team.

Morris will remain executive producer of “Incredibles 3,” which is scheduled to reach theaters in June 2028. His broader responsibilities will cover mentoring and talent development at Pixar and Walt Disney Studios, along with technology initiatives supporting artists and storytellers. Morris said that, after 52 years in the industry, he would step away from daily management while continuing to work on special projects.

Before joining Pixar in 2005, Morris spent many years at Lucasfilm and ILM. He served as ILM’s general manager and later became president of Lucas Digital Ltd., overseeing visual effects work on dozens of major films. He succeeded Pixar’s first president, Ed Catmull, in 2014. Pixar features have earned more than $12 billion worldwide during Morris’ tenure.

Bergman also announced an expanded creative executive vice president role for Jonas Rivera. Rivera will lead filmmakers and development, collaborating closely with Docter and Garson. His Pixar career began in 1994 as the studio’s first production intern, and he has since contributed to almost every Pixar release. His credits include Oscar wins for “Inside Out” and “Toy Story 4,” a best picture nomination for his first feature as producer, “Up,” and an executive producer role on “Inside Out 2,” Pixar’s biggest worldwide hit.

Garson credited Morris with demonstrating how to protect Pixar’s standards, innovation and creative ambition. He said he looked forward to collaborating with Docter, Rivera and the production leadership team headed by Katherine Sarafian and Lindsey Collins. Morris, in turn, endorsed Garson as a committed advocate for Pixar’s films, employees and culture.

Rivera described the studio’s people and stories as central to his career and said he would draw on Morris’ guidance in his expanded position. He will work with Docter and Garson to support Pixar’s filmmakers and artists through the leadership transition.