Woody (Toy Story)

Woody
Toy Story character
Woody as he appears in the films and other related media
First appearance	Toy Story (1995)
Created by	John Lasseter Andrew Stanton Pete Docter Joe Ranft
Based on	Howdy Doody puppets Casper the Friendly Ghost doll
Designed by	Bud Luckey
Voiced by	Tom Hanks Jim Hanks
In-universe information
Full name	Woody Pride
Species	Pullstring doll
Title	Sheriff

Sheriff Woody Pride is a fictional pull-string cowboy doll who appears in the Disney–Pixar Toy Story franchise. In the films, Woody is one of the main protagonists, alongside Buzz Lightyear and Jessie. He is primarily voiced by Tom Hanks, who voices him in the Toy Story films, short films, and TV specials. Hanks's brother, Jim Hanks, voices him in video games, attractions, and other merchandise.

Woody was created by directors and writers John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, and Joe Ranft. His facial features are based on the former Disney animator Tone Thyne. Woody was designed by Bud Luckey, and is based on John Lasseter's Casper pull-string doll he had as a kid, as well as the Howdy Doody puppets from the 1950s show. Woody is named after Woody Strode, a character actor known for many roles in western films. In August 2009, Toy Story 3 director, Lee Unkrich, stated in his Twitter feed that Woody's last name is Pride and has been since the making of the original movie.

In the first film, Woody is Andy Davis's favorite toy and is the leader of Andy's toys. When Andy gets a new toy called Buzz Lightyear, Woody’s position is jeopardized but later becomes friends with him. In the second, he figures out he used to be in a popular TV show called Woody's Roundup alongside other three toys and is asked to stay with the group, but he decides to stay with Andy's toys; all but one member of the group also join Andy's toys. In the third, Andy leaves to go to college so he decides to give his toys to a little girl named Bonnie Anderson; he had initially planned to take Woody to college, before seeing that Bonnie loved him. In the fourth, Bonnie's family decides to go on a vacation and Woody finds his long-lost girlfriend, Bo Peep. He decides he will remain with Bo Peep forever and help lost toys find new owners. Since his debut, Woody has received largely positive reception from reviewers due to his character's arc and personality, as well as Tom Hanks's vocal performance.