For decades, the iconic phrases "reach for the sky" and "there's a snake in my boot," associated with the beloved character Woody from Disney Pixar's "Toy Story," have been voiced not solely by Tom Hanks, but also by his younger brother, Jim Hanks.
Jim Hanks, 65, who bears a striking physical and vocal resemblance to his elder brother, has served as a voice stand-in for Woody in numerous spin-off projects and merchandise. He shared with The Daily Mail that his involvement began shortly before the release of the original 1995 film. When Tom Hanks' schedule proved too demanding for recording sessions, Pixar and Disney approached Jim, who was already working in voiceover.
"They brought me in, and I did the pull string toy classic lines, 'you're my favorite deputy' and all that, and I did it pretty well," Jim recalled. Since then, he has recorded lines for Woody toys sold globally and for recordings at international theme parks.
Beyond voice work, Jim has also stood in for his brother during filming. For Tom Hanks' Oscar-winning role in "Forrest Gump," Jim performed many of the cross-country running scenes. "There was only one location where Tom was with me on set, and that was in Vermont," Jim said. "But all the other stuff when you can't see his face, it's me!"
Despite their shared experiences in front of and behind the camera, Jim noted they have never filmed a scene together, though he expressed a desire to do so.
Concerns Over Artificial Intelligence
Recently, Tom Hanks voiced concerns that artificial intelligence could eventually render voice actors obsolete for "Toy Story" productions, given that all recorded lines are digitally stored. Jim Hanks shares this apprehension, though he believes current AI technology is not yet capable of replicating the nuances of human performance.
"I worry how many people could be out of a job, but at this point, I think AI voices are just not up to snuff," Jim stated. "They just can't quite read things right, and I hope it stays that way. I'm hoping that there'll always be room for people to want to hear a real voice, because there's something missing in AI voice."
He acknowledged the rapid advancement of AI and deepfake technology, admitting it is a "scary thought" to consider what might happen in the coming years.
The Future of Toy Story and Toy Donations
With "Toy Story 5" receiving positive reviews, speculation about a sixth installment has arisen. Jim Hanks suggested that if a "Toy Story 6" were to be made, it could explore the threat posed by artificial intelligence to the toy industry, mirroring how "Toy Story 5" addressed the impact of electronic tablets.
In the meantime, Jim is actively promoting the ODEON Play Them Forward campaign, a nationwide initiative encouraging the donation of pre-loved toys. The campaign aims to give unused toys a second life, drawing parallels to Andy passing his toys to Bonnie in the film. Families can donate toys at participating ODEON cinemas on June 27 and 28, 2026, with donations being distributed through approved partners. "I grew up having toys that I really loved it's a shame that they just kind of stopped getting the love that they deserve," Jim said. "So it's great to pass them on, and some little guy or girl will continue to love them."