Steve Jobs Remembered By Disney, Pixar Execs

Following the death of Steve Jobs on Wednesday, Oct. 5, Hollywood is sharing memories of the beloved Apple CEO.

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The mastermind behind Apple’s iPhone, iPad, iPod, iMac and iTunes, had a long struggle with failing health after fighting an unusual form of pancreatic cancer, and in 2009 getting a liver transplant.

“Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted advisor.  His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture he defined,” said Disney President and CEO, Robert Iger, in a statement. “Steve was such an ‘original,’ with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era. Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started. “  

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“With his passing the world has lost a rare original, Disney has lost a member of our family, and I have lost a great friend,” the statement continued. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Laurene and his children during this difficult time.”

In a joint statement, Pixar’s John Lasseter and Ed Catmull said: “Steve Jobs was an extraordinary visionary, our very dear friend and the guiding light of the Pixar family. He saw the  potential of what Pixar could be before the rest of us, and beyond what anyone ever imagined.”

“Steve took a chance on us and believed in our crazy dream of making computer animated films; the one thing he always said was to simply ‘make it great.’ He is why Pixar turned out the way we did and his strength, integrity and love of life has made us all better people,” the statement continued. “He will forever be a part of Pixar’s DNA. Our hearts go out to his wife Laurene and their children during this incredibly difficult time.”

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Jobs called Pixar “the most powerful and trusted brand in animation.” When Iger purchased Pixar in January 2006 for about $7.4 billion, Jobs was given a 7.4 percent stake in Disney and a seat on its board of directors.

Even before Jobs joined Disney, he was taking advantage of the conglomerate’s close association with Pixar to boost the potential of iTunes, which began supporting video in 2005. Along with music videos, some of the earliest content available were TV shows from Disney’s ABC and Disney Channel networks like Desperate Housewives, Lost, That’s So Raven and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.