Joan Cusack and Jessie Take the Lead in ‘Toy Story 5’

Joan Cusack expressed immense happiness upon discovering that “Toy Story 5” would focus on Jessie, the character she voices. She felt the story offered significant representation for girls.

Since Jessie’s introduction in “Toy Story 2” in 1999, Cusack has consistently provided her voice across various media, including films, TV specials, video games, and theme park attractions. The latest installment sees Jessie lead characters like Buzz Lightyear and Woody against a new antagonist—a smart tablet named Lilypad.

Originally, Jesse was not meant to be a cowgirl doll. Early concepts envisioned Jessie as a talking cactus named Señorita Cactus, a role intended as a sidekick for another character. Joan Cusack was intrigued to learn this, as she shares traits with Jessie, including her energy and distinct voice.

Besides her contributions to “Toy Story,” Cusack has enjoyed a successful career in comedy, with roles in films such as “Working Girl” and “In & Out.” She was also part of the “Saturday Night Live” cast in the mid-1980s. Despite her career, Cusack chose family life over Hollywood, opening a gift shop in Chicago to stay creative and close to home.

In a conversation about “Toy Story 3,” Cusack reflected on a key suggestion she made for Jessie. Her decision to step back from acting allowed her to manage her gift shop, which carries the name of a Barbra Streisand character.