If you ever make it to San Francisco you owe it to yourself to visit the Walt Disney Family Museum. In order to maintain the high quality of exhibits, special programs, and its fantastic building in the Presidio area, the organization holds a special fundraising gala. This week the luminaries who are continuing Walt’s legacy assembled to support the cause and support the future generations of creative talent.
The night’s honoree was John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, a true talent whose creativity has touched hearts and minds across the world. John Lasseter became the third recipient of the Diane Disney Miller Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor that was previously bestowed upon Imagineer legend Marty Sklar and American songwriter Richard Sherman.
Leading the evening’s celebrations was actress and comedian Bonnie Hunt (Cars, Toy Story 4) alongside presenters Bob Iger (CEO of The Walt Disney Company), Ed Catmull (President of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios), and members of the Disney family including Ron Miller and his daughter Joanna Miller. Guests enjoyed a special performance by songwriter duo Bobby Lopez (Frozen, Avenue Q, and Book of Mormon) and Kristen-Anderson Lopez (Winnie the Pooh, Frozen).
As a special surprise for the evening’s honoree, Bobby and Kristen invited Kristen Bell (Frozen, The Good Place) and Idina Menzel (Frozen, Rent, Wicked) onstage to perform songs from their hit Disney film Frozen. Additional notable attendees included Jim Morris (President of Pixar Animation Studios), Andrew Stanton (Director of Finding Nemo, Wall-E, Stranger Things Season 2), Pete Docter (Director of Inside Out, Up), Jonas Rivera (Producer of Inside Out, Up, Cars), Brad Bird (Director of Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Ratatouille, The Incredibles), and Larry Baer (CEO of the San Francisco Giants), among many others.
Gala guests enjoyed an evening of laughs, performances and even an opportunity to bid on a single speaking part in Pixar’s upcoming film, Toy Story 4 – an item that was in such high demand that John generously decided on the spot to open-up two more roles for guests to bid on.
More photos from the event below:
(At top) John Lasseter receives the Diane Disney Miller Lifetime Achievement Award from Ron Miller, President of the Board of The Walt Disney Family Museum, onstage during The Walt Disney Family Museum’s 3rd Annual Fundraising Gala at the Golden Gate Club.
Silent auction items on display at The Walt Disney Family Museum’s 3rd Annual Fundraising Gala at the Golden Gate Club on November 7, 2017 in San Francisco, California.
Ron Miller, President of the Board of The Walt Disney Family Museum; Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company; John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios; and Kirsten Komoroske, Executive Director of The Walt Disney Family Museum pose for a photo.
Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Bobby Lopez, Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell perform “You’ve Got a Friend In Me” onstage with John Lasseter, recipient of the Diane Disney Miller Lifetime Achievement Award.
John Lasseter and Bonnie Hunt
Willow Bay and Bob Iger pose for a photo on the red carpet during The Walt Disney Family Museum’s 3rd Annual Fundraising Gala
Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell perform “You’ve Got a Friend In Me” onstage with John Lasseter, recipient of the Diane Disney Miller Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ed Catmull, Ron Miller, Bob Iger, Bonnie Hunt, Idina Menzel, John Lasseter, Kristen Bell, Kirsten Komoroske, Bobby Lopez, and Kristen Anderson-Lopez pose for a photo onstage during The Walt Disney Family Museum’s 3rd Annual Fundraising Gala at the Golden Gate Club on November 7, 2017 in San Francisco, California.
(Photos courtesy Getty Images for The Walt Disney Family Museum )