It was 2013 when Pixar decided to get weirdly spooky. Usually, the Toy Story franchise lives on the big screen, but Toy Story of Terror! was a different beast entirely. It was a television special. A Halloween event. Most importantly, it was a massive reunion.
If you grew up with Woody and Buzz, you know how protective Pixar is of these characters. They don't just hand them off to B-list voice actors for a quick TV payday. That’s why the cast of Toy Story of Terror is so impressive. They got the heavy hitters back.
Tom Hanks. Tim Allen. Joan Cusack. They all showed up.
But it wasn't just about the usual suspects. This special introduced some characters that—honestly—might be cooler than the originals. We need to talk about Combat Carl. We need to talk about the motel manager. We need to talk about why this 22-minute special feels as high-stakes as a two-hour blockbuster.
The Big Three: Keeping the Magic Alive
The core of the show is Jessie. While Woody is usually the lead, this is Joan Cusack's time to shine. Her performance as Jessie deals with actual, palpable claustrophobia. It's heavy stuff for a "kids' show." Cusack brings that shaky, frantic energy that makes you actually feel for a plastic cowgirl stuck in a box.
Then you have Tom Hanks as Woody. You can always tell when it’s Tom and when it’s his brother, Jim Hanks (who often does the voice for toys and video games). For this special, it’s the real deal. Tom brings that weary, "I’m too old for this" leadership that Woody perfected by Toy Story 3.
Tim Allen returns as Buzz Lightyear. By this point in the timeline, Buzz has settled into his role as the steady, slightly oblivious rock of the group. His interactions with the new toys are where the comedy really lands.
Combat Carl and the Power of Carl Weathers
Let’s be real. The absolute standout of the cast of Toy Story of Terror is the late, great Carl Weathers.
💡 You might also like: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
He plays Combat Carl. And Combat Carl 1/3.
If you remember the original Toy Story from 1995, Combat Carl was the toy Sid blew up in the backyard. He didn't speak. He was just fodder for a M-80. In this special, he's a full-blown character who speaks in the third person and gives high-fives that probably hurt. Weathers channeled his inner Action Hero—think Predator meets Rocky—to create a character that is both a parody of 80s machismo and a genuinely helpful mentor.
"Combat Carl never gives up. Combat Carl finds a way."
It’s iconic. It's the kind of voice acting that elevates a simple gag into a character people still quote a decade later. Weathers' booming baritone provides the perfect contrast to the high-pitched panic of the other toys.
The Supporting Players You Might Have Missed
The "villain" of the piece isn't a toy. Well, not exactly. It’s the greedy motel manager, Ron, voiced by Stephen Tobolowsky. You’ve seen Tobolowsky in a thousand things—he was Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day. He has this specific way of sounding both harmless and deeply untrustworthy.
Then there is the iguana, Mr. Jones. While the iguana doesn't "talk," the sound design for the creature is vital.
The rest of the gang is mostly here:
📖 Related: Ted Nugent State of Shock: Why This 1979 Album Divides Fans Today
- Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head. This was one of the last times we got to hear the legendary comedian voice the cranky spud before his passing in 2017.
- Wallace Shawn as Rex. He’s still neurotic. He’s still perfect.
- Timothy Dalton as Mr. Pricklepants. The theatrical hedgehog who treats a roadside motel trip like a Shakespearean tragedy is arguably the funniest part of the special. Dalton plays it completely straight, which is why it works.
- Kristen Schaal as Trixie. She joined in Toy Story 3 and fits right in here as the voice of reason (sorta).
Why the Casting Matters for Pixar’s Legacy
Pixar has a "no shortcuts" rule. They could have saved millions by hiring sound-alikes for a TV special. They didn't. When you hear the cast of Toy Story of Terror, you are hearing the exact same chemistry that made the films global phenomena.
This matters because Toy Story of Terror! is actually canon. It takes place after the third movie but before the fourth. It shows the toys living with Bonnie. If the voices were off, the immersion would break instantly.
Think about the character of Pez Cat. Voiced by Kate McKinnon! This was right as McKinnon was becoming a massive star on Saturday Night Live. She brings a weird, dry wit to a dispenser that barely moves. That’s the level of talent we’re talking about. Even the "small" roles are filled by titans of the industry.
The Creepy Atmosphere and Sound Design
While the actors do the heavy lifting, we have to acknowledge the atmosphere. Angus MacLane directed this. He’s a Pixar veteran who clearly loves the horror genre. He leaned into the tropes: the flickering lights, the POV shots from under the bed, the "missing person" mystery.
The voice actors had to adapt to this. Instead of the bright, bouncy energy of the films, there is a lot of whispering. A lot of panicked breathing. It’s a masterclass in tension-building for an audience that usually expects laughs.
When the toys are being snatched one by one, the silence is what sells it. The cast knows when to shut up and let the sound of an iguana’s claws on the floor do the talking.
Specific Roles and Their Impact
Honestly, looking back at the full roster is like looking at a Hollywood "Who's Who."
👉 See also: Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus Explained (Simply)
- Ken (Michael Keaton): Wait, actually, Ken isn't in this one. A lot of people misremember that. Ken stayed at Sunnyside with Barbie. It’s a common misconception because the cast is so large, people assume everyone came back.
- Old Timer (Christian Roman): The grumpy alarm clock. A small but hilarious role that adds to the "motel of lost toys" vibe.
- Pocketeer (Ken Marino): Another comedy heavy-hitter playing a toy with way too many pockets.
The diversity of the cast—from veteran dramatic actors like Dalton to improv geniuses like Schaal—is why the humor works for adults just as well as kids.
What This Taught Us About the Franchise
This special proved that Toy Story could work in shorter bursts. It didn't need a 90-minute runtime to tell a compelling story about fear and loyalty. It also paved the way for Toy Story that Time Forgot, the dinosaur-centric Christmas special that followed.
But Terror is the superior one. It has more heart. It deals with Jessie’s trauma in a way that feels earned. When she finally stands up for herself and faces her fear of being trapped in a box, it’s a genuine character arc. That doesn't happen without Joan Cusack’s incredible vocal range.
How to Enjoy the Special Today
If you haven't seen it in a while, it’s worth a re-watch just to catch the cameos. Look for the Easter eggs. Pixar loves putting references to their other movies in the background. In the motel, you can see references to Cars and even Finding Nemo if you look close enough.
The cast of Toy Story of Terror reminds us that these aren't just characters; they are icons. Even in a 22-minute TV slot, the actors treat the material with respect. There’s no "phoning it in."
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re a fan of the franchise or a student of voice acting, here is how you can dive deeper into this specific piece of Pixar history:
- Watch the "Making Of" Featurettes: Most streaming platforms (like Disney+) include the behind-the-scenes shorts. Watching Carl Weathers in the recording booth is a religious experience for fans of the craft.
- Listen for the "Sound-Alikes": Compare this special to some of the Toy Story shorts or video games. You’ll start to hear the subtle differences between the "A-Team" cast and the secondary voice actors used for merchandise. It makes you appreciate the main cast much more.
- Check Out the Easter Eggs: This special is packed with horror movie references. From Psycho to Aliens, the creators hid nods everywhere. See if you can spot the "Pizza Planet" truck—it’s always there somewhere.
- Explore the "Toy Story Toons": If you liked the vibe of this special, check out Hawaiian Vacation, Small Fry, and Partysaurus Rex. They feature much of the same cast and bridge the gap between the major films.
The legacy of these characters is safe as long as the original cast stays involved. They bring a soul to the plastic that simply can't be replicated by anyone else. Combat Carl said it best: "Combat Carl never gives up." And neither does Pixar when it comes to quality.