In August 1997, John Lasseter was described as having an innocent and friendly appearance that concealed his intense pursuit of artistic excellence. His cheerful demeanor belied a serious commitment to achieving perfection in his creative work. This duality between his persona and his professional ambition highlighted the complexity of his character and his contributions to animation and film.

Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs captures this notion of artistic perfectionism as a crucial aspect of both Lasseter and Jobs. They shared a dedication to their crafts, emphasizing innovation and quality in their projects. This relentless drive for excellence was key to their success and influential in transforming the landscape of animation and technology.