Best-selling cookbook author, comedian and voice actor Anna Vocino is stepping into one of Pixar's most recognizable roles as the new voice of Mrs. Potato Head in Toy Story 5. During an exclusive interview with Kevin & Taylor, Vocino reflected on the years of work that led to the opportunity, the pressure of following the late Estelle Harris and how the role fits into her broader mission of helping people live healthier lives.
Although many fans are just discovering her through Toy Story 5, Vocino explained that the role is the culmination of a long career in voice acting. She has voiced hundreds of video games, animated shows and commercials while building a reputation as a trusted voice match for celebrity characters.
"I felt very lucky in my career to have kind of this journeyman actor career doing voiceover kind of behind the scenes," Vocino said. "I've done a lot of video games, animation. I mean, hundreds of video games, hundreds of animated shows, commercials, you name it."
The audition process required more than simply imitating Harris' iconic performance. Vocino said she first had to prove she could accurately match the original voice before demonstrating that she could carry the character through entirely new dialogue while maintaining the same spirit audiences have loved for decades.
After submitting her audition, Vocino said she tried not to dwell on the outcome, knowing that's part of life as an actor. When the call finally came from her agent, she initially assumed she was being hired for temporary recording work before learning she had officially landed the role in the film.
The opportunity also carried emotional significance because of Harris' legacy. Vocino immersed herself in research, studying interviews and performances to better understand the actress behind the beloved character. She said she wanted to honor Harris' essence while bringing Mrs. Potato Head back to the screen for a new generation.
Outside of Hollywood, Vocino remains committed to her work in the food industry. Diagnosed with celiac disease in 2002, she has spent years creating recipes and products designed to make healthier eating both accessible and enjoyable. Through her Eat Happy Kitchen brand and bestselling cookbooks, she encourages people to reduce sugar and processed foods without sacrificing flavor.
"Here, we can do this together. I'll help. I'll be a resource for this. But the promise that delivers is that it tastes good because no one's going to stick to anything if it doesn't taste good," Vocino said.
Vocino said the visibility that comes with joining the Toy Story franchise also provides an opportunity to introduce more people to that mission. While she considers voicing Mrs. Potato Head an incredible career milestone, she hopes the attention also inspires families to explore healthier cooking and eating habits.
Toy Story 5 marks Vocino's highest-profile acting role to date, adding another chapter to a career that has spanned entertainment, publishing and entrepreneurship while giving new life to one of Pixar's most beloved characters.
To Listen to the full interview, click the link HERE.
