LOS ANGELES— Walt Disney Co. DIS -0.90% is turning to the directors of two of its biggest recent hits to take over its animation divisions in the wake of John Lasseter’s exit from the company.
Disney said Tuesday that Pete Docter, the writer and director of “Up” and “Inside Out,” will be chief creative officer of Pixar Animation Studios. Jennifer Lee, the co-director of “Frozen,” will assume the same role at Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Both jobs were previously held by Mr. Lasseter, a co-founder of Pixar who oversaw creative development at the two divisions. Mr. Lasseter, who is considered by many to be the most successful creative executive of the modern era, had been on leave from Disney since November 2017, when he sent an apologetic email to employees following allegations of inappropriate hugging or touching.
Mr. Lasseter’s fate at the company was unknown until earlier this month, when Disney said he would serve as a consultant until the end of this year and then leave.
In turning to Mr. Docter and Ms. Lee, Disney has chosen two executives who are already well known to animation employees. Mr. Docter, 49 years old, has won the Oscar for best animated feature twice, and was one of Pixar’s first employees when he joined the company in 1990. He has had a hand in several of Pixar’s biggest hits, including “Toy Story” and “Monsters, Inc.”
Ms. Lee, 46 years old, is newer to the Disney fold, joining in 2011 as a co-writer on “Wreck-It Ralph.” But the Oscar-winning “Frozen” immediately catapulted her to the top echelon of animation talent. The movie has inspired a Broadway musical and a sequel due in 2019. She has also worked on Disney Animation movies “Zootopia” and the sequel to “Wreck-It Ralph,” due out in November.
With Mr. Lasseter’s departure, Disney is losing one of its most valuable employees. Mr. Lasseter was known to have a say in large and small decisions at both companies, and oversaw a winning streak of films that included “Finding Nemo,” “Zootopia” and “Coco.”
Since animated films take years to complete, the loss of his imprint—and the addition of Mr. Docter’s and Ms. Lee’s—may not be immediately seen.
Pixar’s “Incredibles 2,” completed during Mr. Lasseter’s sabbatical, has been a monstrous hit since opening to record-setting returns this past weekend. The superhero sequel has grossed $206 million so far.
Mr. Docter and Ms. Lee will report to Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn.
Write to Erich Schwartzel at erich.schwartzel@wsj.com