Conan O'Brien Joins Toy Story 5 in Secret Role

Disney has officially announced that Conan O'Brien will lend his voice to a new character in Toy Story 5. The beloved late-night talk show host, known for his distinctive red hair and comedic talent, will portray a mysterious figure named Smarty Pants in the highly anticipated sequel.

O'Brien revealed his involvement through a humorous skit posted on his official TeamCoco Instagram account. In the video, he jokes about approaching Disney with hopes of voicing either Woody or Buzz Lightyear—though fans can rest easy knowing that Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are already set to return as the iconic duo.

No further details have been released regarding Smarty Pants’ role in the film, leaving fans free to speculate. Could this cleverly named character be an electronic toy? Might they serve as a rival or even an unexpected ally to Woody and Buzz? Only time will tell.

Toy Story 5 promises to bring back the entire cast of beloved characters for a new adventure. This time, the toys must navigate a changing world where children are increasingly drawn to digital devices and modern technology. It's a fresh challenge that could test their relevance—and resilience—like never before.

This casting marks the first major announcement for the film and suggests that O'Brien’s character may play a pivotal role in the story.

The upcoming installment will be the first mainline Toy Story film since Toy Story 4 in 2019. A spin-off titled Lightyear, which explored the origins of the Buzz Lightyear character within the Toy Story universe, was released in 2022 but underperformed both critically and commercially.

With Toy Story 5, Disney and Pixar aim to reinvigorate the franchise and recapture the magic that made the original trilogy so universally cherished—no small task given the emotional legacy of the earlier films.

Set for release on June 19, 2026, Toy Story 5 is also expected to kick off a wave of sequels to other classic Pixar titles. Upcoming projects include Incredibles 3 and Coco 2, signaling a broader push to expand some of the studio’s most beloved stories.