Raised in Whittier, CA

By freshman year of high school, had developed a love of cartoons and animation

While still in high school, wrote to The Walt Disney Studios to express his interest in the field

Began studying art and learning how to draw human and animal figures

Became the second student accepted into the then new Disney-sponsored animation program at CalArts (an institution started by Walt Disney)

Made two animated films while at CalArts, "Lady and the Lamp" and "Nitemare" (both won Student Academy Awards)

Apprenticed at Disney during summer breaks

Hired by the Disney feature animation department upon graduation

Contributed animation to such films as "The Fox and the Hound" (1981) and "Mickey's Christmas Carol" (1984)

Co-created with fellow Disney animator Glen Keane, an experimental 30-second test film based on Maurice Sendak's classic children's book, "Where the Wild Things Are," to demonstrate how traditional hand-drawn character animation could be combined with computerized camera movements and environments

Invited by Pixar founder Ed Catmull to visit the computer graphics unit of Lucasfilm

Left Disney intending to work at Lucasfilm for a month; stayed for 6 months

Worked on the computer animation group of Lucasfilm's Industrial Light & Magic for the feature "Young Sherlock Holmes"

Joined Pixar, the computer animation company formed by entrepreneur Steven Jobs with his purchase of the computer animation division of Lucasfilm

Producing debut, "Luxo Jr"; nominated for an Oscar for best animated short film

Gained notice for his Academy Award winning short, "Tin Toy"; credited for directing, scripting, animating and modeling

First TV credit, provided a film for NBC's "Super Bloopers & New Practical Jokes"

Feature directing debut, "Toy Story"; also credited for original story (with three others) and modeling & animation system development

Co-directed the computer-animated "A Bug's Life"

Produced the animated Pixar film "The Incredibles" directed and written by Brad Bird

In January The Walt Disney Company purchased Pixar, and Lasseter was appointed Chief Creative Officer of both the Pixar and Disney animation studios

Directed and co-wrote the animated feature "Cars"; earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated feature

Produced the Pixar animated feature, "Ratatouille"

Executive produced the Pixar animated feature, "WALL-E"