Lori Alan Admits She Had 'No Idea' What She Was in for When She First Landed “Toy Story” Role (Exclusive)
Lori Alan Admits She Had 'No Idea' What She Was in for When She First Landed “Toy Story” Role (Exclusive)
Angela AndaloroSun, June 21, 2026 at 8:00 PM UTC
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Lori Alan (left), Bonnie's Mom in 'Toy Story'Credit: Cathryn Farnsworth; Pixar -
Lori Alan first voiced Bonnie's mom in 2010's Toy Story 3
Speaking with PEOPLE as she celebrates the release of Toy Story 5, the 59-year-old actress discusses the film as an emotional journey
Alan praises Pixar for the way it has taken fans from moment to moment in the films' progression
Lori Alan is excited for fans to dive back into the world of Toy Story.
Speaking with PEOPLE as she celebrates the premiere of Toy Story 5, the voice actress, who turns 60 next month, opens up about what an exciting surprise her journey with the film series has been.
Alan, who voices Bonnie's mom in the films, joined the franchise in Toy Story 3.
"The toys get donated to the daycare center and Laurie Metcalf, who is one of my idols, played Andy's Mom," she reflects.
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Lori Alan at "Toy Story 4" premiere in 2019Credit: Michael Tran/FilmMagi
"That last scene when I'm saying, 'I'm Bonnie's mom... 'Bonnie, Bonnie,' that's a lot of what I said in Toy Story 3. And then that scene at the end is so beautiful, and we think it's going to end there, and the toys have found a new home, but it'll never be the same," she continues.
Alan notes that all the writers at Pixar are "so brilliant," finding ways to keep the story alive.
"All the different writers and directors just love this never-ending story, and how toys, tech, love, life, connection and family all come together," she says.
Being part of the franchise also feels like a never-ending adventure for the actress, who has kept in touch with the other actors over the years.
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"The lovely gentleman who plays Andy [John Morris] reached out to me, and he's like, 'I'm doing a Toy Story convention. Would you like to be a part of it?' I'm like, 'Yes.' And I got teary-eyed just through an email," she shares.
Alan values being a part of a series of films that "is about so many things," admitting, "I've always been a fan."
"[Being added to the cast] was just such an honor, and it came out of being in a Pixar loop group, which is kind of intimidating. You have to get up and audition in front of each other, which is really interesting. And they're like, 'Oh, you have a nice mom voice, very warm mom voice.' I'm always just channeling my mom, or something like that," she shared.
The movies are extra special because she loves "working with kids."
"I work with kids, and my passion is mentoring young people, so to just be a part of this joy machine... I heard Tom Hanks say it, and to know that he's still all emotional about it, 30 years in, it means something," she shares.
Lori Alan at "Toy Story 5" premiereCredit: Amy Sussman/WireImage
When Alan first signed on as Bonnie's mom, she had no idea what would come beyond that film, let alone that two more would follow.
"I had no idea there would be a Toy Story 4. None. And they go on this crazy adventure. Each Toy Story focuses on a different character and their journey. Now in Toy Story 5, we have Woody, and he's balding, and it's toys versus tech, but I think we all need that."
Toy Story 5 hit theaters on June 19.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
