Spunky cowgirl Jessie takes Woody on a rootin' tootin' ride in "Toy Story 2." Giving the high-spirited toy her energetic voice is Joan Cusack, whose films include "Working Girl," "In & Out," and "Addams Family Values." Joan may be a city gal, but her wild cowgirl delivery will have audiences yelling, "Yee-hah!"

What was it like playing Jessie?
Jessie's dream is to be back with Emily [the girl who played with her]. She's really a very complex character with a lot of emotion. It's so moving. And the song by Sarah McLachlan is so beautiful. To hear my voice coming out of this doll was fascinating and a bit weird at the same time. You have to be very focused when you're doing the voice and let your imagination run wild.

Did you ever pretend to be a cowgirl as a kid?
I did go to horseback-riding camp once. The horse stepped on my foot and I got really freaked out. It was sort of traumatic and I wanted to leave camp. I didn't have a real cowgirl experience.

Did you learn to yodel for this part?
I did have to yodel quite a bit; I did it lots of different ways. I didn't really know how to yodel, but I just sort of let it go. It was fun.

What was your favorite toy when you were young?
I remember having a Barbie head with hair. It was like a Do-Makeup Barbie, and I remember getting a kick out of it. I loved it. But now it just seems odd.

JOAN CUSACK (Jessie) gives an endearing and entertaining vocal performance as a mercurial cowgirl who sometimes gets the blues. When it comes to playing and having fun, this spunky cowgirl has been a little gun-shy ever since her former owner, Emily, outgrew her and gave her away. Now that Woody has arrived to complete Al's toy collection, Jessie is determined never to go back in her box.

Cusack has received two Academy Award® nominations, one for her comic portrayal of a Staten Island secretary in "Working Girl," with Harrison Ford and Melanie Griffith, and the other for her role as Kevin Kline's jilted bride in the critically acclaimed "In & Out." Her other credits include "Addams Family Values," "Grosse Pointe Blank," "Men Don't Leave," "Broadcast News, "Say Anything," "Married to the Mob," and "Sixteen Candles," among others.