Steve Jobs and Pixar: the alliance that changed animation
944 words | Reading time: 5 minutes
Behind the scenesSteve JobsPixar
10 million dollars wagered on a studio that would lose money for nearly ten years. In 1986, Steve Jobs bought from Lucasfilm its division The Graphics Group, renamed Pixar, then kept it afloat out of his personal fortune. Recognition came in 1995 with Toy Story, the first feature film made entirely with computer-generated imagery, the year of the stock market flotation. In 2006, Disney bought Pixar for 7.4 billion dollars in shares and Jobs, holder of 50.1%, became its largest individual shareholder. A look back at the behind-the-scenes of that gamble.
Summary
- Introduction: Steve Jobs, the man who believed in Pixar
- 1986: Jobs acquires Lucasfilm's graphics division
- The difficult years
- Toy Story and recognition
- 2006: sale to Disney
- Anecdotes
- Summary table
- FAQ
Introduction: Steve Jobs, the man who believed in Pixar
The history of Pixar is inseparable from that of Steve Jobs. Before becoming the most admired animation studio in the world, Pixar was a risky venture that the Apple co-founder funded for nearly ten years.
📘 For the rest of the adventure, also read the Disney-Pixar merger.
🎧 Pixar held on for nearly ten years thanks to the Apple co-founder's money; at your place, the two houses meet again in one of our Cars cases and covers for AirPods.
1986: Jobs acquires Lucasfilm's graphics division
In 1986, Steve Jobs financed the spin-off of The Graphics Group, Lucasfilm's computer graphics division, for $10 million ($5 million in capital, $5 million paid to Lucasfilm for technology rights). The independent company was named Pixar.
The difficult years
For years, Pixar lost money; Jobs injected tens of millions of dollars of his personal fortune into it. The studio survived by selling its computers and expertise, until a partnership with Disney changed everything.
🖱️ The Pixar Image Computer kept the studio alive through the years of losses; on your own desk it's just a mouse gliding along, so treat it to one of our Cars mouse pads.
Toy Story and recognition
In 1995, Toy Story—the first feature film made entirely with computer-generated imagery—became a worldwide triumph. Pixar went public the same year, and Jobs' gamble finally paid off.
2006: sale to Disney
In 2006, Disney acquired Pixar for $7.4 billion in stock. Jobs, who owned 50.1% of Pixar, became Disney's largest individual shareholder (approximately 7%) and joined its board of directors. Read also the details of this merger.
Anecdotes
- Jobs bought Pixar from George Lucas for $10 million in 1986
- he financed the studio at a loss for nearly ten years
- the sale to Disney in 2006 made him the group's largest individual shareholder
- Steve Jobs died in 2011
📚 Four bullet points are enough here for the purchase from George Lucas and nearly ten years of funding at a loss; on your bedside table, our Cars books spread their stories over far more pages.
Summary table
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pixar acquisition | 1986, from Lucasfilm, for $10M |
| Original name | The Graphics Group |
| First feature film | Toy Story (1995) |
| Sale to Disney | 2006, $7.4 billion (stock) |
| Jobs' stake in Disney | ~7% (1st individual shareholder) |
| Death | 2011 |
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
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When did Steve Jobs buy Pixar?In 1986, for $10 million, from Lucasfilm's graphics division.
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How much did Disney pay for Pixar?$7.4 billion in stock, in 2006.
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Did Steve Jobs become a Disney shareholder?Yes, the largest individual shareholder (approximately 7%), with a seat on the board of directors.
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What was the first Pixar movie?Toy Story, released in 1995, the first feature film entirely in computer-generated imagery.