3 Questions with Toy Story 5’s Jeff Bergman, the New Voice of Mr. Potato Head

Image: Pixar/Everett Collection

Rickles rose to fame in the 1950s, defining the art of the insult comic. Beyond his stand-up success, he became a television fixture, most notably for his legendary, recurring banter on The Tonight Show. When cast as Mr. Potato Head, Rickles leaned into his established persona, imbuing the toy with his trademark acerbic wit. The filmmakers even paid tribute to his roots in the debut movie, featuring a scene where the potato quips, “What are you looking at, you hockey puck?”—a classic Rickles-ism.

Rickles voiced the character through the first three entries in the franchise, with posthumous archival recordings bridging the gap for the fourth installment. For Toy Story 5, Pixar opted for a fresh approach, enlisting acclaimed voice actor Jeff Bergman. As a master of vocal mimicry—having stepped into the shoes of icons like Bugs Bunny and Fred Flintstone—Bergman is uniquely positioned for the task. We sat down with Bergman to discuss the weight of inheriting such a role and his lifelong connection to the man behind the potato.

Polygon: You’ve become the go-to successor for many storied characters. Was there anything particularly daunting about taking over Mr. Potato Head?

Jeff Bergman: It’s a mix of things. First off, this is my debut in the Toy Story universe, and being part of Toy Story 5 is an absolute career milestone. Stepping in after Don Rickles carries an immense sense of responsibility to the fans. This franchise spans generations; it’s deeply woven into the lives of families, which makes the stakes feel significantly higher.

Taking on Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes was perhaps my most challenging endeavor, simply because I was following Mel Blanc. Mel had been the voice for 50 years, and I was stepping in just six months after he passed—that was a surreal and incredibly high-pressure environment. While Mr. Potato Head also has a massive legacy, he’s been a part of the cinematic landscape for 31 years, and Don passed away nine years ago. It’s not necessarily “easier,” but it’s a different kind of challenge.

Image: Pixar

Did you have a history of performing a Don Rickles impression before this project?

Bergman: Absolutely. I’ve been a massive fan since I was eight years old. Back in the late ’60s, my parents owned his album Hello Dummy. They would play it for guests, and I’d sneak to the top of the stairs, listening in and stifling my laughter. By high school, I was doing the bit myself—I was the class clown, so it felt like it was in my DNA. Years later, in 1989, I ended up doing a bit of Rickles on Larry King’s radio show, and Larry—who was great friends with Don—absolutely loved it.

Beyond your appreciation for Rickles, do you have a personal attachment to the Mr. Potato Head toy itself?

Bergman: It’s funny you ask—did you know Mr. Potato Head was the first toy ever advertised directly to children on TV, back in 1952? I grew up playing with one. It’s surreal to think that as a kid, I was holding a plastic potato in my hands while my parents were down the hall laughing at a Rickles record. Decades later, those two worlds have collided for me in this role. It’s truly incredible.

Source: Polygon