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Tom Hanks' brother Jim explains how he became voice of Woody
Home>Entertainment>Disney
Updated 12:38 21 Dec 2023 GMTPublished 12:28 21 Dec 2023 GMT

Tom Hanks' brother Jim explains how he became voice of Woody

The actor is a substitute voice actor for his famous brother.

Bec Oakes

Bec Oakes

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From Forrest Gump to Walt Disney, Tom Hanks has played an endless number of iconic roles over the years.

But none are quite as beloved as Woody, the rootinest tootinest cowboy in Pixar's classic Toy Story movies.

But did you know he's not the character's only voice?

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While Tom provides the majority of the voice work, another actor substitutes for him in various Toy Story video games and spin-offs.

And that actor is none other than Tom's younger brother Jim.

In an interview with Jace Diehl, Jim explains how he first got the gig.

He says: "My agent basically said Disney wants you to go in and do this thing your brother's doing.

Jim Hanks has been the voice of Woody in toys, theme park attractions, video games and spin-offs. Credit Pixar
Jim Hanks has been the voice of Woody in toys, theme park attractions, video games and spin-offs. Credit Pixar

"I don't remember actually auditioning. I just remember going into this tiny little booth and having a little bit of a scratch at it."

Jim then recorded some of the toy's most iconic lines including 'there's a snake in my boot'.

And 29 years later, his voice remains in Woody dolls around the world.

He has also provided the voice recordings for the character in theme park attractions, live shows and the 2020 Pixar short, Lamp Life.

As for the incredible resemblance between the Hanks brothers, Jim never realised just how similar they were until he watched video recordings of them together.

The actor revealed how he got the gig in an interview with Jace Diehl.
YouTube/Jace Diehl

"I never really knew that my voice was as similar to Tom's," he says.

"I have since seen videos of myself where I watch myself and go 'Oh my god, I do sound like him."

But there's a specific technique Jim does to really get into character.

He explains: "Tom does this thing where he simultaneously pushes [his voice] with his diaphragm and pushes it up to his nose.

"At the same time, it's down deep but it's also up here," he says pointing to his nose.

"Whenever I'm at a mic, I go 'hey, hey, hey, hey' and I can find him. The 'hey' has an explosiveness that takes me to Tom."

Tom also spoke about sharing the role with his brother on The Graham Norton Show back in 2011.

He explained: "They have so many computer games and video things and Jim works on those all year long."

Tom also confirmed the story on The Graham Norton Show in 2011.
BBC

So, whenever Tom is unable to do something, he simply says, "I'll get my brother Jim, he'll do it."

Talk about keeping it in the family...

And there's good news for Toy Story fans as earlier this year, Disney announced that a fifth film was officially in the works.

Jim said in his interview: "I don't know where they're going to go with it but those people from Pixar are freaking geniuses."

I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Featured Image Credit: Pixar/Jace Diehl/YouTube

Topics: Toy Story, Pixar, Disney, Tom Hanks, TV and Film

Bec Oakes
Bec Oakes

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