Actor Jim Hanks has spent years stepping into one of animation’s most recognizable roles when his older brother, Tom Hanks, is unavailable. According to People, Jim has voiced "Woody" for projects tied to the Pixar franchise outside the main films, including toys, video games and theme park work. The detail adds a new layer to the long-running success of the character, especially as interest in the franchise continues to grow. It also shows how closely the "Woody" voice has been maintained across different formats.
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Jim Hanks Took Over "Woody" for Toys and Games
On the Love It podcast, Jim explained that his first "Woody" assignment came from a pull-string toy linked to the original film. "The first thing I ever did was one of the pull-string toys from the first movie where he's saying 'You're my favorite deputy' and 'There's a snake in my boot' and stuff like that," Jim said according to People. He added that the original audio had been heavily processed, so a cleaner version was needed. From there, he continued filling in for other franchise projects when Tom could not record.
Disney Ride Work Let Jim Add His Own Spin
Jim said he usually tries to keep his performance close to Tom’s version of "Woody," aiming to preserve the character fans already know. Still, one assignment gave him a little room to shape the voice differently. While working on Disney California Adventure’s Midway Mania ride, he suggested that "Woody" should sound like a "favorite teacher" speaking to children. That approach gave the role a slightly warmer edge while staying consistent with the cowboy’s established personality. It was one of the few times Jim could put more of himself into the performance.
Jim Compared His Woody Voice to Tom at Home
Jim also offered a funny explanation for how he lands the sound. "I used to say that my Woody is my impression of Tom yelling at his kids. 'Get down from there!' is the same as 'Buzz!' " Jim told People. The line gives a playful glimpse into how closely the brothers’ voices and rhythms overlap. It also helps explain why Jim has been such a natural backup for the part. For a character as familiar as "Woody," even small vocal differences can stand out, so that family resemblance matters.
Forrest Gump Also Gave Jim a Key Hanks Role
Jim’s work as Tom’s stand-in did not stop with voice acting. He also served as a body double during the running scenes in Forrest Gump, handling shots where Tom’s face was not visible. Jim recalled that some filming became unexpectedly tricky when cows in a field kept looking toward the camera instead of at him. Crew members asked him to yell and whoop while running to pull their attention away. It was an odd assignment, but another example of how Jim has quietly supported two major Tom Hanks screen roles over the years.
