6. John Lasseter
Photo: Jay L. Clendenin/LA Times/Contour by Getty Images
Cowboys, astronauts, and toy cars have been staples of childhood play for decades, and bugs since time began. But when John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar Animated Studios, reimagined their hidden worlds in the blockbusters Toy Story, Cars, and A Bug’s Life, he defined movies for an entire generation. Each new Pixar movie seems to top the last and creates an instant buzz of anticipation. (Total global sales of Pixar films are more than $7 billion.)
Almost always seen in a signature Hawaiian shirt, the playful father of five lives in a magical California house complete with a secret staircase and toy train sets that run throughout the house.