Toy Story Characters:
Main Toy Characters

The Toy Story characters went through many changes before the final decision. The preliminary development cast Woody as a huge jerk and as a ventriloquist puppet.

I'm glad the folks at Pixar changed their minds as development proceeded. All the main characters of this movie are likable, despite their faults. That makes them even more personable, if you ask me. Let's get to know them each a little better...

Woody

Woody is an old-fashioned pull-string cowboy sheriff doll who is the leader of Andy's toys. He's been Andy's favorite toy since kindergarten. Because he knows he's becoming old-fashioned, Woody is anxious about birthdays and Christmases when a new toy might arrive and take all of Andy's attention.

When Buzz Lightyear comes onto the scene, Woody had a hard time with all the attention paid to Buzz. His jealousy caused him to try and get rid of Buzz Lightyear, but ultimately the two were thrown together. Their reliance on one another to return to Andy before the family moved away eventually repaired the rivalry between the two and by the end of the movie, they were both became friends and leaders.

Buzz Lightyear

He's every boy's dream toy: high tech, bright blinking lights, a laser pointing light cool beep, a helmet hatch that opens and wings that pop out. His famous catchphrase: "To Infinity and Beyond!"

Buzz Lightyear is Andy's new birthday toy. When this Toy Story character is first introduced to the others in Andy's room, he thinks he's a real space ranger protecting the galaxy from the invading evil Emperor Zurg (who doesn't appear until Toy Story 2). Woody finds it highly amusing and spends a lot of time trying to convince Buzz that he is a TOY, not an "member of the elite Universe Protection Unit of the Space Ranger Corps."

Buzz remains unconvinced until he sees a Buzz Lightyear cartoon character on TV while being held captive over at Sid Phillips' house. Then a commercial comes on for Al's Toy Barn which showcases an entire aisle of Buzz Lightyear action figures. He then tries to fly out a window and falls to the floor, his arm broken.

Depressed, Buzz no longer wants to try and escape, but Woody convinces him that Andy loves him and needs him and that brought him around. Putting their differences aside, they team up and escape Sid's house. Buzz and Woody make it back to Andy in the nick of time before losing them forever.

Bo Peep

Part of little Molly's bedside lamp, Bo Peep is a Toy Story character who is Woody's supportive love interest. She sticks up for Woody when the other toys believe he did Buzz wrong. Bo Peep is from the nursery rhyme "Little Bo Peep" and she keeps group of three sheep with her. She sometimes uses her blue crook to pull Woody in by the neck for some snuzzles. Bo Peep is a very feminine, yet strong character in Toy Story.

Hamm

Full of sarcastic jokes and wisecracks that the adults appreciate, Hamm is the pink plastic piggy bank character. He's close friends with Mr. Potato Head and Hamm hopes that the new toy for Molly at Christmas might be a Mrs. Potato Head (turns out to come true!).

Mr. Potato Head

Despite being moody, snarky and cynical, Mr. Potato Head (or just Potato Head for short) is a likable character. His main role in Toy Story is his accusation that Woody pushed Buzz Lightyear from the window and starts up a rebellion with the other toys against Woody.

Who is YOUR favorite Toy Story character? Click here to tell us!

Potato Head even lets go of the strand of Christmas lights used to rescue Buzz Lightyear and Woody from Sid Phillips' house next door when he sees Woody holding Buzz's displaced arm.

He doubts Woody's innocence the whole time. He only realizes his mistake when Bo Peep says that Woody's telling the truth while they are all in the moving truck and Woody's rescuing Buzz. Potato Head then helps out by hanging on to Slinky Dog who stretches out to reach Woody, Buzz and RC.

Rex

Rex is a lovable green plastic Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur who has some self esteem issues. This Toy Story character desperately wants to be big and scary, but his roars only make you laugh. He complains about his small arms and is concerned that a newer, more frightening dinosaur will replace him.

Rex is a very sensitive dinosaur and dislikes confrontation. He even puked at the sight of Buzzed dislocated arm when Woody accidentally held it up from Sid's window. He didn't want to side with the other toys who believed Woody to be bad, but eventually did because he wanted to belong.

Slinky Dog

Also known as just Slinky or "Slink" as Woody calls him, this Toy Story character is a wooden dachshund dog with a metal slinky for his mid-section. This was an actual toy, popular from the 1940s through the early 70s.

Like Bo Peep, Slinky defends Woody, but changes his mind when he sees Woody holding Buzz's arm. He later helps pull Buzz and Woody with his long, coiled body into the moving truck at the end of the movie after he learns from Bo Peep that Woody was truthful.

• Background Toy Story Characters
• Sid Phillips' Mutant Toys
• Human Characters