Joan Cusack calls six-year Hollywood hiatus ‘priceless’ ahead of Toy Story 5 return
The actress says living a normal life outside Hollywood was one of her most rewarding experiences.=
Joan Cusack has opened up about her years away from Hollywood, describing the time spent focusing on family and everyday life as “priceless” ahead of her highly anticipated return in Toy Story 5.
The veteran actress is reprising her role as Jessie, the beloved yodeling cowgirl she first voiced in 1999, for the next installment of Pixar’s iconic animated franchise. This time, Jessie is expected to take on a more central role in the story.
Speaking at the Los Angeles premiere of Toy Story 5 on Tuesday, Cusack reflected on stepping back from the spotlight and the fulfillment she found outside the entertainment industry.
“I feel so honored to have worked in this industry for a long time,” the actress told Variety.
Despite her successful career, Cusack said she cherished the opportunity to live a quieter life during her extended break from acting.
The Working Girl star explained that spending time with her family and raising her two sons, Dylan John and Miles, became her priority during the hiatus.
“But it's also great to live your life and raise your kids and be in Chicago and be a normal person,” she said.
“It's kind of priceless.”
Cusack's return to the red carpet has also drawn attention from fans. Before the Los Angeles premiere, she attended the film's London premiere, marking her first red-carpet appearance in more than a decade.
The actress has largely remained out of the public eye in recent years, making her re-emergence alongside the beloved Toy Story franchise all the more notable.
Her return comes as excitement continues to build for Toy Story 5, which reunites several familiar voices from the franchise while bringing Jessie into a more prominent position than ever before.