Veteran voice actor Jeff Bergman has joined the voice cast of Toy Story 5, adding another major animation franchise to a career already closely tied to some of the most recognizable cartoon characters in entertainment history.
Bergman is voicing Mr. Potato Head in the new Disney and Pixar film, taking over a role long associated with the late Don Rickles. Rickles voiced the character in the first three Toy Story films, while unused archival recordings of his voice were used for a brief appearance in Toy Story 4 after his death in 2017.
The casting gives Toy Story 5 a new voice for one of the franchise’s most familiar supporting characters. It also places Bergman in another high-profile successor role, something he has handled throughout much of his career.
Jeff Bergman Steps Into Toy Story 5
Bergman’s involvement was discussed in recent coverage tied to his work in the voiceover industry and his appearance in Toy Story 5. The film is scheduled for release on June 19, 2026, and continues Pixar’s long-running story about toys adapting to changes in childhood and play.
This time, the film’s central idea has been described as “Toy meets Tech.” The story reportedly brings Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of Bonnie’s toys into conflict with modern technology, including a tablet character named Lilypad. That premise gives the fifth film a timely angle, as the franchise explores how traditional toys fit into a world where children are increasingly drawn to screens and digital devices.
For Bergman, joining Toy Story 5 means entering one of the most important animated film franchises ever produced. The series began in 1995 with Pixar’s first feature film and helped redefine computer animation. Each sequel has carried high expectations, especially because audiences have strong emotional attachments to the characters.
A Veteran Voice in Animation
Bergman is best known for his long association with Looney Tunes. After the death of Mel Blanc, Bergman became one of the first performers trusted to continue voicing characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and others.
That kind of work requires a very specific skill. Successor voice actors are not simply doing impressions. They have to preserve the character’s identity while still giving a performance that works for new material, new directors, and new audiences.
Bergman has also worked across numerous animated projects, including Tiny Toon Adventures, The Jetsons, Family Guy, Jellystone!, and other television and film productions. His career has made him one of the industry’s most experienced performers when it comes to maintaining classic animated voices across generations.
That background makes his casting as Mr. Potato Head feel especially fitting. The character has a long history within the Toy Story franchise, and the role carries the memory of Rickles’ sharp comic delivery. Bergman’s experience with legacy characters likely made him a strong choice for such a delicate transition.
What We Know About Toy Story 5
Toy Story 5 brings back several major franchise voices, including Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack as Jessie, Tony Hale as Forky, Wallace Shawn as Rex, John Ratzenberger as Hamm, and Annie Potts as Bo Peep.
The film also introduces new cast members and characters. Greta Lee voices Lilypad, a tech-focused character central to the movie’s theme, while Conan O’Brien voices Smarty Pants. Craig Robinson and other performers are also part of the cast.
Andrew Stanton, who has been closely connected to Pixar’s storytelling history, directs the film, with Lindsey Collins producing. Randy Newman, whose music has been part of the Toy Story series since the beginning, returned to score the film.
The franchise has always used its stories to reflect changes in childhood. The first film explored jealousy and identity, later entries dealt with growing up, abandonment, loyalty, and letting go. Toy Story 5 appears to continue that tradition by focusing on technology’s place in children’s lives.
Another Major Role for Bergman
For voice acting fans, Bergman’s casting is a reminder that successor performances remain an important part of animation. Beloved characters often continue long after original performers are gone, and studios need actors who can carry those roles with care.
Mr. Potato Head is not just another supporting character. He has been part of the franchise since the original Toy Story and remains one of the series’ most recognizable comic personalities. Bringing him back with a new performer was always going to require attention from longtime fans.
Bergman enters the role with decades of experience handling iconic animated characters. His addition to Toy Story 5 gives Pixar a veteran performer for a role that connects the new film to the franchise’s earliest days.
With the film now set for its June 19 release, voice acting fans will be watching closely to hear how Bergman brings Mr. Potato Head into the next chapter of Pixar’s most famous franchise.