Jessie (Toy Story)

Jessie
Toy Story character
First appearance	Toy Story 2 (1999)
Created by	John Lasseter Pete Docter Ash Brannon Andrew Stanton
Voiced by	Joan Cusack (1999–present) Mary Kay Bergman (1999, yodeling voice) Sarah McLachlan (1999, singing voice) Devon Dawson (soundtrack) Kat Cressida (2008–present)
In-universe information
Species	Toy (Rag doll)
Title	Cowgirl Sheriff
Significant other	Buzz Lightyear

Jessie is a fictional cowgirl rag doll in the Disney–Pixar Toy Story franchise. She first appeared in Toy Story 2 and returned in the sequels Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4. The idea for introducing a female character was suggested by Nancy Lasseter, while John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Ash Brannon, and Andrew Stanton developed and created the character. She is voiced by Joan Cusack in the Toy Story filmography, while Sarah McLachlan is her singing voice in Toy Story 2. Kat Cressida also voiced the character in the Disney Infinity series.

Jessie is a brave and excitable rag doll who is abandoned by her owner after she outgrew her. Years of being in storage leads her to develop claustrophobia and abandonment issues. She is eventually rescued by series protagonist Woody and finds a new owner in Andy Davis. Years later, she and her friends are donated to Bonnie Anderson, who claims Jessie as her new favorite toy. With Woody's departure after reuniting with Bo Peep, she is given his sheriff badge as a token of her significance to Bonnie.

Jessie has received a largely positive critical reception since her debut, with praise for her tragic backstory and her characterisation as a strong female character. Some critics criticised Pixar for sidelining her in the third and fourth films, in particular, reducing her role to a romance subplot with Buzz Lightyear. Cusack's vocal performance was positively received and she was awarded for voicing Jessie at the 2000 Annie Awards.