John Lassetire : l’hommage de Cars 2 à John Lasseter

John Lassetire: Cars 2's Tribute to John Lasseter

1158 words | Reading time: 6 minutes

Behind the scenesCars 2John Lasseter

Pixar's co-founder slipped into his own saga, as a pickup, and voiced himself. John Lassetire appears in Cars 2 (2011) as crew chief for Jeff Gorvette, the American driver in the World Grand Prix: an American yellow pickup truck, also available in a green “woody” variant with wood panels. John Lasseter, born on January 12, 1957 in Hollywood, lends him his voice; having become chief creative officer of Disney and Pixar in 2006, he directed Cars, dedicated to Joe Ranft, before leaving the studio in 2018. This article decodes the nod.

In the paddock of Cars 2, a discreet but significant character makes an appearance: John Lassetire, crew chief for Jeff Gorvette. More than just a secondary character, he represents a tribute to one of the major figures in modern animation: John Lasseter, emblematic director and co-founder of Pixar.

Table of Contents

Who is John Lassetire in Cars 2?

John Lassetire appears as crew chief for Jeff Gorvette, the American driver in the World Grand Prix. Although his screen time is limited, he brings a charismatic presence in the pits, embodying the expertise and indispensable support for a racer's success.

Characteristics of the Character

According to community profiles, he is presented as an American yellow pickup truck. An alternative "woody" version (green with wood panels) exists in Mattel merchandising and appears in the film, where Lassetire attends the Radiator Springs Grand Prix in this livery.

The Voice Behind the Character

He is voiced by John Lasseter himself, a humorous nod from Pixar and in the tradition of internal cameos.

🇬🇧 Want another cult cameo? Discover Lewis Hamilton in Cars 2.

Green pick-up with wood panelling, John Lassetire's woody variant, on a road in Radiator Springs
John Lassetire's “woody” livery, green with wood panelling: the one he wears at the Radiator Springs Grand Prix.

The Inspiration: John Lasseter

John Lasseter, born on January 12, 1957 in Hollywood, is an American animator, director, producer, and screenwriter. Passionate about drawing, he was influenced by his mother, an art teacher, and his father, an employee at a Chevrolet dealership.

The Rise at Pixar

In 2006, after Disney acquired Pixar, he became chief creative officer for Disney and Pixar. That same year, he directed Cars, dedicated to Joe Ranft.

A Prolific Creator

  • Toy Story (complete saga)
  • Cars (franchise)
  • A Bug's Life
  • Producer on Ratatouille, WALL-E, Up, Toy Story 3, etc.
John Lasseter, in a dark jacket and patterned shirt, speaking with his arms open on a stage
John Lasseter, born in 1957: co-founder of Pixar, director of Cars and the voice of John Lassetire. Photo: Meet the media Guru, CC BY-SA 2.0.

🏁 Mattel released Lassetire in die-cast, paired with Jeff Gorvette in a Cars 2 set; once the box is open at your place, that duo calls for a track under its wheels, and our Cars and Lightning McQueen tracks hand it one.

John Lassetire in Merchandising

The character exists as die-cast Mattel models, in standard version and "woody" variant. This illustrates the attention given by Pixar to secondary characters.

Mattel Cars 2 blister pack containing the Jeff Gorvette and John Lassetire miniature cars
Mattel released John Lassetire as a die-cast, here paired with Jeff Gorvette in a Cars 2 set.

A Creative and Complex Legacy

In 2018, Lasseter left Pixar and Disney after accusations of inappropriate behavior, then joined Skydance Media. Despite this controversy, he remains one of the architects of modern animation.

🦾 On the "Lemons" side, also read our focus on Grem.

John Lasseter surrounded by Pixar filmmakers on the red carpet of the Venice film festival
John Lasseter (centre) with the Pixar directors at the Venice Mostra in 2009, nine years before he left the studio. Photo: nicolas genin from Paris, France, CC BY-SA 2.0.

A Symbol Beyond the Nod

John Lassetire embodies:

  1. Humor and self-reference
  2. Teamwork
  3. Automotive passion
  4. Creator-work connection
John Lassetire on a lift in the pit box branded Jeff Gorvette, in the World Grand Prix pit lane
In Jeff Gorvette's pit: the crew chief embodies the collective work that surrounds every racer.

Cars: A Personal Project

Cars is deeply personal for Lasseter, marked by his childhood surrounded by classic cars and his love for automotive history.

John Lasseter in a recording studio with Richard Petty and Lynda Petty in front of Cars-branded microphones
In the studio for Cars with racer Richard Petty and his wife Lynda: the film draws on Lasseter's passion for cars.

🛞 From his childhood surrounded by classic cars to the studio he shared with racer Richard Petty, Lasseter always kept asphalt in sight; yours unrolls at the foot of your bed with our Cars rugs.

Summary Sheet

Name John Lassetire
First Appearance Cars 2 (2011)
Role Crew chief for Jeff Gorvette
Original Voice John Lasseter
Colors USA pit version / Green "woody" variant
Toy Models Mattel die-cast (several variants)
Reference Direct tribute to John Lasseter

FAQ

  • Is John Lassetire inspired by a real person?
    Yes, by John Lasseter, co-founder of Pixar.
  • Does he appear in other Cars films?
    No, only in Cars 2.
  • Is he a speaking character?
    Yes, voiced by John Lasseter.

Read also

Conclusion

A discreet but symbolic character, John Lassetire is a direct tribute to the man who shaped the Cars universe. He embodies the passion, precision, and collaborative spirit of Pixar, proving that a detail can carry a rich creative legacy.

🖼️ The tribute to John Lasseter fits entirely into one discreet detail, barely visible between two pit shots; on your bedroom wall, our Cars posters and prints take the opposite approach and show off big.

🇮🇹 To stay in paddock mode, follow up with Francesco Bernoulli.

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