The Toy Story Voice Actors Who Have Died Since 1995
When Toy Story arrived in 1995, its cast of toys, pets, and oddball side characters became part of childhood for millions. Over the years, several of the actors who helped shape that world have passed away. Pixar has approached each loss with care, sometimes choosing to let a character rest and other times drawing from old recordings to keep a familiar voice in place. What follows is a look at the performers whose work still echoes through the series.
Don Rickles – 2017
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Don Rickles never recorded new lines for Toy Story 4, but he still appeared in it. Pixar pieced together old outtakes and video game audio to bring back Mr. Potato Head. His family supported the idea, saying Rickles had wanted the character to continue. Even in the most recent film, Rickles’ signature humor lives on.
Jim Varney – 2000
Credit: IMDb
Before Slinky Dog wagged his way into Pixar history, Jim Varney had already become a household name as Ernest. His southern rasp gave Slinky just the right tone: loyal, grounded, and always ready to back up Woody. When Varney could no longer return, Pixar tapped Blake Clark—his longtime friend—who kept the rhythm.
Estelle Harris – 2022
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Estelle Harris joined the series with Toy Story 2, bringing Mrs. Potato Head a quick wit and an unmistakable spark that carried through to Toy Story 4. She finished her voice work well ahead of the fourth film’s release, leaving the character fully in place before her passing in 2022.
Joe Ranft – 2005
Credit: Youtube
Joe Ranft played a significant role in shaping Pixar’s storytelling style as both a writer and voice actor. He gave Wheezy and Lenny their personalities, but he also worked on Cars, Monsters, Inc., and The Nightmare Before Christmas. After he was gone, Pixar chose not to recast Wheezy. Woody simply mentions him as one of the friends who’ve moved on.
Ned Beatty – 2021
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Ned Beatty shaped Lotso into someone who sounded warm on the surface while running Sunnyside with strict authority. His performance gave the bear a steady, believable presence that carried the character’s entire arc. Lotso didn’t return in Toy Story 4, but Beatty’s single appearance remained one of the franchise’s most memorable contributions.
R. Lee Ermey – 2018
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Casting R. Lee Ermey as Sarge was no accident. The former Marine was already famous for officer roles, and his sharp delivery gave the Green Army Men real authority. In Toy Story 3, Sarge and his troops parachute out of the story, ready for their next assignment.
Robert Goulet – 2007
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Wheezy’s musical moment in Toy Story 2 wouldn’t be the same without Robert Goulet. He sang the big-band version of You’ve Got a Friend in Me that closed the film, with Barbie dolls backing him up in true showbiz fashion.
Bud Luckey – 2018
Credit: Youtube
Bud Luckey designed Woody, narrated Pixar shorts, and voiced government agent Rick Dicker in The Incredibles. In Toy Story 3, he became Chuckles the Clown—a toy with a gloomy voice and a backstory that explained a lot about Lotso. Chuckles made a small return in a later short, but Luckey’s main contributions were behind the scenes.
Jack Angel – 2021
Credit: Youtube
Jack Angel voiced several background toys across the Toy Story films, including Mr. Shark in the first movie and Chunk in Toy Story 3. Rocky Gibraltar is often misattributed to him, but that character never speaks. His contributions helped fill Andy’s room and Sunnyside with character and texture.
John Cygan – 2017
Credit: IMDb
Twitch didn’t get much dialogue in Toy Story 3, but John Cygan gave the mantis-shaped toy a presence. The bug-themed action figure worked for Lotso and had a voice that fit his no-nonsense look. Cygan also voiced characters in Cars, WALL-E, and Monsters University.