The Walt Disney Family Museum held their third annual fundraising gala on November 7, honoring Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, John Lasseter with the Diane Disney Miller Lifetime Achievement Award. The museum noted that John Lasseter received the recognition due to his incredible contributions to the entertainment industry and for his extraordinary leadership and innovative storytelling which has been instrumental in elevating and distinguishing the world of animation. Previous honorees who have made an outstanding impact in the field of arts, education, community involvement and technological advancements include songwriter Richard Sherman and Imagineering Ambassador Marty Skylar.
On-hand for the celebration was a number of Lasseter's co-workers from both studios and even included a musical number by the Oscar-winning duo, Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, (with surprise vocals by Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel). In addition to the presentation of the Diane Disney Miller Lifetime Achievement Award, the Walt Disney Family Museum held an auction with various artworks from the two studios, as well as other various items from guest donors.
The surprise item of the night was when John Lasseter took the stage along with Toy Story 4 producer, Jonas Rivera as they announced that an auction item would include a vocal casting role in the upcoming Toy Story 4 film (see embedded video below). Unfortunately, we don't know who won the coveted role and we wish we could've been there to help support The Walt Disney Family Museum for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but I'm sure we'll find out eventually — how exciting. To watch a highlight reel of the night, watch the video below (via Inside the Magic YouTube Channel).
What would you have bid to have a guaranteed opportunity to voice a character in Toy Story 4? Leave your bid in the comments below — we could easily see ourselves going into the thousands.
