Final answer:
John Lasseter was the animator fired from Disney who became a pivotal figure in Pixar's success. His direction helped define the studio's early hits like 'Toy Story'. Pixar's 'Brave' marked the studio's first film with a female lead, expanding representation for young viewers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The animator who was fired from Disney and later became one of the key creative forces behind Pixar is John Lasseter. He was instrumental in directing and supervising many early productions of Pixar, including iconic films such as Toy Story and Cars. Lasseter's work helped establish Pixar as a major player in the animation industry, alongside other studios like DreamWorks which produced successful franchises like Shrek and Madagascar.
Prior to 2012's Brave, Pixar had not produced a movie with a female lead role, often featuring women as supporting characters or love interests. This changed with Brave, marking a significant addition to the list of animated films that highlight female protagonists, a realm where Disney had long been championing with films like Snow White and Cinderella. The introduction of a female lead in Pixar's filmography offered more relatable characters and aspirational roles for its young female audience.