For nearly three decades, Joan Cusack has voiced the popular cowgirl doll, Jessie, in the ‘Toy Story’ franchise. In the latest installment, ‘Toy Story 5’, Jessie finally takes center stage. Cusack expressed her excitement about this development, stating she saw a strong story for girls this time around.

Cusack first brought Jessie to life in ‘Toy Story 2’ in 1999. Since then, she has lent her voice to the character in four movies, two TV specials, a short film series, six video games, and theme park rides. The new film pits Jessie, along with Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and others, against an innovative adversary—a smart tablet named Lilypad.

Jessie’s character has evolved significantly since her inception. Initially, a completely different vision existed for her—a concept that incorporated a talking cactus named Señorita Cactus. Ultimately, Jessie’s character was refined into the energetic cowgirl we are familiar with today, a fact that even surprised Cusack.

‘Oh, wow, I didn’t know that!’ remarked Cusack, relating her own spirited demeanor and distinct vocal tone to Jessie’s.

Apart from her association with Jessie, Cusack is renowned for her comedic roles in films like ‘Working Girl’ and ‘In & Out’, as well as her time on ‘Saturday Night Live’. Beyond Hollywood, she chose to devote time to raising her children and even opened a gift shop in Chicago, drawing inspiration from Barbra Streisand.

In a recent conversation, Cusack discussed the significant impact she had on Jessie’s storyline in ‘Toy Story 3’. Her personal journey reflects a balance between creativity and family, as she found fulfillment outside of acting by establishing her Chicago business.