{"id":153099,"date":"2025-11-22T03:46:07","date_gmt":"2025-11-22T03:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/153099\/"},"modified":"2025-11-22T03:46:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-22T03:46:07","slug":"toy-storys-andy-30-years-later-meet-the-voice-that-defined-a-generation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/153099\/","title":{"rendered":"Toy Story\u2019s Andy, 30 years later: Meet the voice that defined a generation"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the end of Toy Story 3<\/a>, a young adult named Andy sits in the grass with a box of toys in his lap. He lifts them out one by one and tells a young girl why each of them mattered to him \u2013 what made them special, and why he held on to them for so long \u2013 before giving them away to her forever. <\/p>\n

For anyone who saw the first film as a child, that moment cut straight through the years. It was the instant we realised we were still Andy \u2013 the young boy whose toys once came to life \u2013 and that growing up didn\u2019t mean losing the child inside us. It meant learning how to let go without forgetting who we were.<\/p>\n

Thirty years ago today, on November 22, 1995, Toy Story introduced the world to that boy. And for John Morris \u2013 who has voiced Andy since he was a child \u2013 the connection to him never really faded.<\/p>\n

During our conversation, Morris lifts the Andy Funko Pop from his desk. \u201cI was so excited when that happened,\u201d he tells The National. After spending years playing a boy whose whole world was toys, this was the first time he\u2019d had one of himself. \u201cHe\u2019s holding Woody and Buzz, and he has the signature red hat. I love that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Morris was slightly older than Andy when he recorded the first film. Pixar\u2019s directors guided him through who Andy was meant to be. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey said he\u2019s a good kid with a good heart,\u201d he says. The details were easy to relate to. \u201cHe\u2019s close with his family, especially his mum and his sibling, and he has a dog. I\u2019ve always had dogs. There were certain things I related to and I could draw on.\u201d His task was simple: think younger, stay present, and let that warmth come through. \u201cI tried to bring that out in my voice, stepping into him.”<\/p>\n

Despite voicing one of the most recognisable characters of the past three decades, Morris grew up with a low profile. <\/p>\n

“As a voice actor, you can kind of fly under the radar when you want to,\u201d he says. The only time it came up was when someone picked up on his voice. \u201cUsually someone would say, you sound familiar \u2026 and then it would spread.\u201d <\/p>\n

Most of the time, he was just a kid. \u201cI was playing soccer and going to birthday parties,\u201d he says. \u201cI was proud of it, but I would usually wait for people to bring it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

But as the years passed, he thought he might never return. When Toy Story 3 was going into production, a full decade had passed since the second film. Morris was 25 years old and didn’t expect to be called back to the role that had shaped his career.<\/p>\n

Then director Lee Unkrich called \u2013 a call Morris missed and quickly returned, leaving Unkrich a message. \u201cFrom my voice mail, he knew I could come back and voice Andy,\u201d Morris says, laughing. \u201cThat was my audition, or reaudition.\u201d<\/p>\n

When he returned to the studio, Morris had to find Andy again \u2013 this time coming of age to a similar phase to life as Morris was in himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cOK, Andy\u2019s a teenager. Andy\u2019s 17. What has happened in between? Where is he now? And what does he sound like?\u201d To prepare, he watched the earlier films \u201ca few times, just to get really back in the world\u201d. <\/p>\n

By then, Morris had trained at UCLA. He was a more accomplished actor and, along with the help of the filmmakers, gave new layers to Andy that weren’t there in the first film \u2013 and far more emotional heft.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt really felt more like stepping into Andy\u2019s shoes in a more significant way,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

But he knew from the start nothing mattered more than Andy\u2019s goodbye.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had two sessions for the final scene,\u201d Morris says. \u201cLee said we\u2019re going to take our time with this, because it\u2019s really important.\u201d To help him reach the emotion the moment needed, Unkrich gave him one direction: think of a time when you said goodbye to something or someone and knew you wouldn\u2019t see them again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did tap into personal experience,\u201d Morris says. \u201cI was teary when I was recording that. It was incredibly emotional and personal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Viewers felt it too. \u201cI hear that from a lot of people \u2013 that it really touches them emotionally. They cry. It\u2019s cathartic,\u201d he says. \u201cI felt it too.\u201d<\/p>\n

By the time Andy drove away to college, the story had shifted. It was now the story of the young girl he’d given his toys to in the grass. It was now time for a new generation. <\/p>\n

\u201cI know the focus now is sort of Bonnie, and Bonnie\u2019s chapter, if you will,\u201d Morris says. Andy\u2019s role had reached its end \u2013 a clean, honest arc that mirrored what older audiences themselves were living.<\/p>\n

What came next for Andy has never been confirmed, and Morris believes Pixar prefers it that way. \u201cIt seems like Pixar doesn\u2019t answer all the questions because they want to leave things open-ended for fans and viewers,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

The questions he gets now reflect that blank space. \u201cPeople ask, what did Andy major in college? What did he do after college? Is he a dad?\u201d Morris never pretends to know. \u201cI usually turn it back to them \u2013 what does your imagination tell you?\u201d he says. \u201cThere is a lot of interest there, and I personally have the same questions myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s been following the early details of Toy Story 5<\/a>, which will be released in 2026, and he likes the direction. \u201cI think it\u2019s really smart to look at toys versus tech,\u201d he says. \u201cKids are playing in a different way than we did in the \u201990s and the early 2000s.\u201d The film is also expected to explore Jessie\u2019s backstory. As for Andy, nothing has been announced. \u201cDown the road, we\u2019ll see what happens,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Thirty years on from the original film, Morris still sees Andy clearly. \u201cAndy is such a creative individual with such a strong imagination,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019m curious. I would be curious to see what that looks like in his adulthood.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Morris, the character grew with him. He didn\u2019t just voice Andy \u2013 he returned to him at different points in his own life, discovering something new each time. And for the people who grew up watching him, Andy remains the same reflection he was in 1995: a reminder of the imagination we carried, and the moment we learnt to let go without losing it.<\/p>\n

Andy was us. Thirty years later, he still is.<\/p>\n

The Bio<\/p>\n

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It’s a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity<\/p>\n

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi<\/p>\n

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf. <\/p>\n

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive – https:\/\/www.agda.ae\/en<\/a><\/p>\n

Results<\/p>\n

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m;\u00a0Winner: Rasi, Harry Bentley (jockey), Sulaiman Al Ghunaimi (trainer).<\/p>\n

7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m;\u00a0Winner: Ya Hayati, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.<\/p>\n

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m;\u00a0Winner: Bochart, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.<\/p>\n

8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m;\u00a0Winner: Magic Lily, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.<\/p>\n

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m;\u00a0Winner: Waady, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.<\/p>\n

9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m;\u00a0Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.<\/p>\n

10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m;\u00a0Winner: Eynhallow, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.<\/p>\n

Key findings of Jenkins report
\nFounder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, “accepted the political utility of violence”
\nViews of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have \u201cconsistently been understood\u201d as permitting \u201cthe use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society\u201d and \u201cnever been institutionally disowned\u201d by the movement.
\nMuslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
\nLaying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: “The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism.”
\nMore from Rashmee Roshan LallThe Voice of Hind Rajab<\/p>\n

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees<\/p>\n

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania<\/p>\n

Rating: 4\/5<\/p>\n

The biog<\/p>\n

Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi<\/p>\n

Favourite TV show: That 70s Show<\/p>\n

Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving<\/p>\n

Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can<\/p>\n

Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home<\/p>\n

Favourite dog breed: I love them all – if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard’s for big<\/p>\n

Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E-%20Diriyah%E2%80%99s%201.9km%20King%20Salman%20Boulevard%2C%20a%20Parisian%20Champs-Elysees-inspired%20avenue%2C%20is%20scheduled%20for%20completion%20in%202028%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20The%20Royal%20Diriyah%20Opera%20House%20is%20expected%20to%20be%20completed%20in%20four%20years%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20Diriyah%E2%80%99s%20first%20of%2042%20hotels%2C%20the%20Bab%20Samhan%20hotel%2C%20will%20open%20in%20the%20first%20quarter%20of%202024%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20On%20completion%20in%202030%2C%20the%20Diriyah%20project%20is%20forecast%20to%20accommodate%20more%20than%20100%2C000%20people%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20The%20%2463.2%20billion%20Diriyah%20project%20will%20contribute%20%247.2%20billion%20to%20the%20kingdom%E2%80%99s%20GDP%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20It%20will%20create%20more%20than%20178%2C000%20jobs%20and%20aims%20to%20attract%20more%20than%2050%20million%20visits%20a%20year%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20About%202%2C000%20people%20work%20for%20the%20Diriyah%20Company%2C%20with%20more%20than%2086%20per%20cent%20being%20Saudi%20citizens%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

Company profile<\/p>\n

Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018<\/p>\n

Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.<\/p>\n

Based: Cairo, Egypt<\/p>\n

Sector: Health-tech<\/p>\n

Size: 22 employees<\/p>\n

Funding: Seed funding\u00a0<\/p>\n

Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors<\/p>\n

Skewed figures<\/p>\n

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village’s Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around \u00a3300,000, \u00a350,000 more than the Cornish average of \u00a3250,000. The local average wage is \u00a315,458.\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE SPECS<\/p>\n

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE<\/p>\n

Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors<\/p>\n

Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode<\/p>\n

Power: 121hp<\/p>\n

Torque:\u00a0142Nm<\/p>\n

Price:\u00a0Dh95,900<\/p>\n

LOVE%20AGAIN<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Jim%20Strouse%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Priyanka%20Chopra%20Jonas%2C%20Sam%20Heughan%2C%20Celine%20Dion%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

Bullet%20Train<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20David%20Leitch%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Brad%20Pitt%2C%20Aaron%20Taylor-Johnson%2C%20Brian%20Tyree%20Henry%2C%20Sandra%20Bullock%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

BMW M5 specs<\/p>\n

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor<\/p>\n

Power: 727hp<\/p>\n

Torque: 1,000Nm<\/p>\n

Transmission: 8-speed auto<\/p>\n

Fuel consumption: 10.6L\/100km<\/p>\n

On sale: Now<\/p>\n

Price: From Dh650,000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"At the end of Toy Story 3, a young adult named Andy sits in the grass with a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":153100,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[86367,93,1043,61,60,270,1284,329],"class_list":["post-153099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-movies","tag-arts-culture-team","tag-entertainment","tag-film","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-movies","tag-standard","tag-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153099","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=153099"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153099\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/153100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153099"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=153099"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=153099"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}