“After 11 years away from the red carpet, Joan Cusack has finally revealed the emotional reason she chose to return — and it all came down to one very special project she simply couldn’t say no to…”

Joan Cusack Makes First Red Carpet Appearance in 11 Years at Toy Story 5 Premiere

A smiling Cusack posed with ‘Toy Story’ costars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Greta Lee and more

NEED TO KNOW

  • Joan Cusack appeared at the May 28 London premiere of Toy Story 5
  • The beloved actress last walked a red carpet almost 11 years ago
  • The fifth Toy Story installment, in which Cusack reprises her role as Jessie, is in theaters June 19

Joan Cusack is making a long-awaited red carpet comeback.

At the Thursday, May 28 London premiere of her new movie Toy Story 5, the actress, 63, made her first appearance on a carpet since an event back in September 2015.

Pixar and Disney’s new animated sequel (in theaters June 19) sees Cusack reprising her voice role as cowgirl toy Jessie alongside Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz, Tony Hale as Forky and more.

Andrew Stanton, Woody, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack, Jessie and Greta Lee attend the "Toy Story 5" UK launch event at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 28, 2026 in London, England.
(Left-right:) Andrew Stanton, Woody, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack, Jessie and Greta Lee at the ‘Toy Story 5’ UK launch event on May 28.Jeff Spicer/Getty

At the premiere, a smiling Cusack — wearing a chic white dress shirt tucked into a long black skirt — posed for photos with her collaborators, including costar Greta Lee, writer-director Andrew Stanton and producer Lindsey Collins.

The two-time Oscar nominee also posed with her husband Richard Burke. The two made regular carpet appearances over a decade ago, including with their two sons, Miles and Dylan John. Burke is the chairman of The Rise Foundation by Envoy, a nonprofit organization providing free legal immigration services.

Richard Burke and Joan Cusack attend the UK Launch Event of Disney and Pixar's 'Toy Story 5' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, London on May 28th, 2026.
Richard Burke and Joan Cusack at the ‘Toy Story 5’ UK launch event on May 28.Kate Green/Getty

Cusack, one of John Cusack’s siblings (they appeared in Sixteen Candles together), broke out in Hollywood in the 1980s, earning two Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominations for 1988’s Working Girl and 1997’s In & Out. She starred in 1993’s Addams Family Values, 2003’s School of Rock and the TV comedy Shameless, the latter of which won her a Primetime Emmy Award.

The veteran actress last appeared onscreen in Netflix’s 2019 holiday film Let It Snow. She lives in Chicago, where she has owned a gift shop called Judy Maxwell Home since 2011.

Anthony Michael Hall and Joan Cusack in Sixteen Candles
Anthony Michael Hall and Joan Cusack in ‘Sixteen Candles’.Universal

Toy Story 5 is in theaters June 19. “This time it’s Toy meets Tech,” reads an official synopsis. “Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs are challenged when they’re introduced to what kids are obsessed with today….electronics!”