No “Toy Story” movie would be the same without Joan Cusack voicing Cowgirl Jessie alongside Tom Hanks’ Woody and Tim Allen’s Buzz Lightyear. Luckily, the quirky comedic actress is back for the latest installment of the beloved Disney franchise.
Cusack, 63, rarely steps into the spotlight anymore, but on May 28, 2026, the actress made her first red carpet appearance in 11 years at the London premiere of “Toy Story 5.” See her now and find out what she’s been up to.
Joan Cusack Looked Chic at ‘Toy Story 5’ Premiere
GettyFlanked by the life-sized characters they play in the “Toy Story” movies, Cusack, Hanks, and Allen posed for photos — and a confetti explosion — at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London. They were joined by fellow cast members Greta Lee, who plays the movie’s primary antagonist, a tech tablet named Lilypad, and UK broadcaster Sian Welby, who also voices a still-under-wraps character in the movie.
GettyWearing thick black glasses and sporting darker hair than in the past, rather than the auburn locks Cusak was once known for, the actress looked chic in a white button-down top and black, high-waisted, floor-length pencil skirt.
Cusack plays an especially big role in “Toy Story 5,” as seen in the first trailer from Pixar, released on May 26.
“Toy Story” fans will remember that in the second movie, Jessie has a particularly heartbreaking scene when it’s revealed that she was abandoned by the young child who once owned and loved her, set to the tear-inducing sounds of Sarah McLachlan singing Randy Newman’s song “When She Loved Me.”
Eventually, Jessie winds up getting to live at Andy’s house, but in “Toy Story 5,” the beloved cowgirl is facing abandonment again as Bonnie — the little girl who now owns her and the village of toys fans have come to know and love — starts to ignore those toys and focus solely on her tech devices. According to Slash Film, this is Jessie’s “first proper adventure as a lead of the ‘Toy Story’ franchise” since the first movie in 1995.
Where Has Joan Cusack Been?
GettyCusack lives far from the Hollywood spotlight in Chicago, where she grew up with her equally famous brother, actor John Cusack, with whom she appeared in the classic 1980s coming-of-age movie “Sixteen Candles,” directed by fellow Chicago native John Hughes.
The actress went on to earn Oscar nominations for her roles in 1988’s “Working Girl” and 1997’s “In & Out.” Some of her other most memorable movies have included 1993’s “Addams Family Values” and 2003’s “School of Rock.” Her last movie was Netflix’s “Let It Snow” in 2019.
Cusack still lives in Chicago with her husband, Richard Burke, who attended the London premiere with her. He works as chairman of The Rise Foundation by Envoy, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free legal immigration servicesration services, per People. Cusak, meanwhile, owns Judy Maxwell Home, a general store that includes — of course — lots of vintage toys.
“Toy Story 5” opens in theaters on June 19. In addition to the return of Cusack, Hanks, and Allen, new cast members include Bad Bunny and Conan O’Brien.
