For the first time since September 2015, Joan Cusack decided a movie was actually worth facing a press line for. The two-time Oscar nominee stepped out in London on Thursday to celebrate the upcoming June 19 release of Toy Story 5. She returns to voice Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl, a character she originally brought to life back in 1999.
Cusack kept her highly anticipated return completely grounded. The 63-year-old actress skipped the traditional Hollywood glamour, arriving in a classic white button-down shirt and a long black skirt while accompanied by her husband, Richard Burke. It was a rare public outing for the notoriously private couple.
She used the London premiere to reunite with legacy co-stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. The fifth installment of the Pixar franchise throws Woody and Buzz into a distinctly modern conflict, introducing newcomer Greta Lee as the voice of a rival electronic tablet toy named Lilypad.
Cusack’s decade-long absence from industry events was a calculated choice. She deliberately walked away from the Hollywood machine to raise her family, speaking openly about her desire to avoid the superficial values of Los Angeles in favor of a quiet life in Chicago. Since 2011, she has channeled her energy into operating her own local gift shop, Judy Maxwell Home.
With her signature character returning to theaters this summer, Cusack finally made the exception to cross the pond, bringing a dose of reality back to the Pixar promotional tour.