Heads up: You're going to need some tissues for this tearjerker.
The moment Disney Pixar fans have been waiting for since 2014 is finally here—Toy Story 4has hit theaters! We know that the final installment in the beloved plaything-themed franchise will feature Woody and friends embarking on a road trip, meeting new friends, and reuniting with Bo Peep. But we don’t know whether it’ll answer an age-old question thatToy Storyfans have been pondering for years: Where is Andy’s dad? While that answer is still a mystery, see if you know these answers to these trivia questions about your favorite Disney films.
If you, or your kids, grew up watching the first three Toy Storyfilms (Toy Story,released in 1995; 1999’s Toy Story 2;and 2010’s Toy Story 3),you may have noticed that Andy’s father is nowhere to be found throughout any of them. And while Disney movies do have a tendency to eliminate one or both of a main character’s parents, often in childhood-marringscenes (hi,Lion King), the fate of Andy’s dad is never addressed at all. Did he die? Are Andy’s parents divorced? It’ll just have to be a mystery…right?
Maybe not! A video by theSuper Carlin Brothers on YouTube has revealed a theory—and it actually makes a lot of sense. Buckle up and get ready to have some naggingToy Storyquestions answered.
Toy Story’s protagonist, Woody, belonged to Andy’s father first (indeed, Andy’s mom calls Woody “an old family toy”). Andy’s father was also named Andy—Andy Sr.—andhewrote his name on Woody’s boot. The reason Woody is such a rare toy is because he’s the onlyWoody doll that was ever made—just a prototype. A cereal company had a promotion—send in X amount of box tops and get a Sheriff Woody doll. However, Woody merchandise was discontinued after Sputnik went up (remember Stinky Pete’s complaint that “children only wanted to play with space toys”?). Because Andy Sr.’s family wasn’t very wealthy, he couldn’t collect enough box tops before the promotion ended.But Andy Sr., a sickly child, sent in his few box tops with a letter begging for a Woody doll, and someone decided to send him the prototype.
via imdb.com
Here’s where it gets really sad. Andy Sr., already sickly, came down with polio, which meant that all of his belongings had to be burned—including toys. But, he stashed Woody away before he could be burned. Eventually recovering from polio, he met his wifeas an adult and had Andy Jr. BUT, around the time Andy’s sister was born, he came down with post-polio syndrome, which he ended up dying from—but not before he entrusted his precious Woody doll to his son. (Be right back, we’re drying our tears.)
Check out the full videofor a much more detailed description, including a couple more lingering plot holes that the theory clears up. As mind-blowing as the theories are,many are claiming that this story is not the real deal—including, rather disappointingly, one ofToy Story’s original writers, Andrew Stanton. In a tweet, he insisted that there’s “nothing to see here” and that the story is nothing but “fake news.”
On the one hand, yes, that does seem pretty conclusive. But on the other hand, the Super Carlin Brothers theory does come courtesy of toy collector Mike Mozart, who was a consultant on the firstToy Story and a close friend of another ofToy Story‘s writers, Joe Ranft. Mozart claims that the story of Andy’s dad came from Ranft himself. Sadly, though, Ranft passed away in 2006, so there’s no way for him to truly debunk or confirm the theory. Will we ever unlock the true fate of Andy’s father?Will it be revealed inToy Story4?Fortunately, we don’t have to wait long to find out! Read on for more surprising facts you may not know about your favorite Disney characters.
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FAQs
Pixar's Andrew Stanton, who served as a writer on each Toy Story film in the blockbuster animated series, has declared the viral backstory of Andy's father false. “Complete and utter fake news. Everyone go back to your homes.
Why don't we see Andy's dad in Toy Story? ›
Andy's dad never appears in any of the Toy Story films, and his absence is never addressed. Several theories sprung up to explain that, including some in which Andy's parents got divorced. One theory suggests Andy's dad died before Toy Story 1, after a childhood battle with polio.
Did Andy's mom get a divorce? ›
It is unknown what had happened to Andy and Molly's (presumably Mrs. David's husband). We never see her wearing a wedding ring at any point in the first Toy Story-movie, indicating that she could be divorced from Andy and Molly's father.
Was Andy's mom a single mom? ›
Andy's Mom (also known as "Mrs. Davis") is a supporting character in the Toy Story series. She is the single mother of Andy and Molly Davis.
What is Andy's father's real name? ›
He said Ranft said Andy's father, Andy Sr., was the original owner of Woody, Mr. Potato Head and Slinky Dog in the '50s and that he is the only person to own a Sheriff Woody doll.
Where is Andy's dad in child's play? ›
Andy became a ward of the state, as it was mentioned in Child's Play, that his father was dead and it's implied there are no other relatives to take him in.
Did Woody belong to Andy's mom? ›
Mystery solved: Woody originally belonged to Andy's father, Andy Sr. No he did not or he would not have had so many problems leaving Andy or being replaced by another toy. Andy's mom does say he is an old family toy, but that's probably because he is an old toy from the late 50's.
Was Andy's mom Jessie's owner? ›
I did a deep dive on the "is Andy's Mom the original owner of Jessie?" theory! No. She's not. Because if you pay attention, it's established that Woody was a toy given to the family for generations, including the mother.
What is Andy's mom's real name? ›
Mrs. Davis (voiced by Laurie Metcalf) is Andy and Molly's single mother. Mrs. Davis is presented as a loving mother to Andy and Molly, but is a major though indirect threat to the toys. Mrs. Davis's actions regarding the toys sets the plot in motion in the first three films, though they are not malicious.
What is the true identity of Andy's mom? ›
As Andy's mom's first name is never once mentioned, there's a chance that it could be Emily. It's revealed in the animated series that Andy's mom's last name is Davis, but also Emily's last name isn't revealed. So, in theory, both Jessie's owner and Andy's mom are named Emily Davis.
They don't state WHO the previous owner was, but they definitely DO state that he's been in the family. Andy's mom states that Woody is "an old family toy." Prospector calls him a "hand-me-down cowboy doll." John Lasseter said, "we always thought [that Woody is] kind of a hand-me-down to Andy from his father."
Who was Jessie's original owner? ›
In the song "When She Loved Me", Jessie tells Woody that she too once had an owner, named Emily, who was presumably a fan of Woody's Roundup. Emily was brought up by Jessie when Woody had tried to explain to her that Andy is someone very important to him, as she knew what he was going to say to her.
Why does Andy have Jessie's hat? ›
"It's because that red hat belongs to his mom." Another fan theory has previously suggested that Andy's mom is Emily, the little girl who owned Jessie but abandoned her after growing up. "His mom grew up with Jessie and then passed [the hat] down to Andy when she grew up," Baca explained.
Will there be a Toy Story 5? ›
Woody and Buzz have a date to return to theaters. Disney will release Pixar's Toy Story 5 on June 19, 2026, the studio announced Friday.
Will Andy be in Toy Story 5? ›
Toy Story 3 was the perfect way to end Andy and Woody's arc and begin anew. If there was one bright side to the heart-aching goodbyes, it would be that the pain would never be re-lived again or so we had thought. Apparently, our emotions mean nothing to Disney as it seems Andy is making a return in Toy Story 5.
What will Toy Story 5 be about? ›
Toy Story 5 Potential Story
Toy Story 5 may also see the return of Andy as he graduates from college and goes to the carnival where Woody lives to celebrate and see him by chance, as the carnival travels from place to place.
Why did Andy's dad change his name? ›
Walter Bernard attended Cornell and later joined the Board of Directors. He named his first born son, Walter after himself but changed it to Andy at the age of 6 as he felt his younger son better portrayed the name. He also donated a building in order to get Andy into Cornell.
Was Woody Andy's dad? ›
Toy Story: Woody Originally Belonged To Andy's Dad - Theory Explained - IMDb. Woody's loyalty to Andy can be explained by the theory that he originally belonged to Andy's dad, Andy Sr. The theory suggests that Woody's undying loyalty to Andy stems from his previous bond with Andy Sr., who died of polio.
Where is Sid's dad in Toy Story? ›
Toy Story. Mr. Phillips is seen asleep snoring on a La-Z-Boy reclining chair when Buzz enters his TV room.
via imdb.com