Joan Cusack finds her inner cowgirl again for 'Toy Story 3'

I caught up with Joan Cusack at Chicago's Disney Store on Michigan Avenue where the Oscar-nominated Chicago actress helped launch the new limited edition of Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl doll, based on her animated character from "Toy Story 2" and "Toy Story 3," opening today at local theaters in 2-D and 3-D prints.

Q. Time to play the Daily Herald's Five Question Blitz. Are you ready?A. Yes, I am.Q. It's been 11 years since you first performed the character Jessie. Was it tough to get back and find her voice and character again?A. Not at all. What's great about Jessie is that she's a can-do gal. Going to the can-do place is always good. It's always good! You feel like you can just go ahead and do something.Q. What's the basic difference between acting an animated character as opposed to acting a live-action character?A. You don't have as many things to rely on, obviously, such as your face, which I tend to overuse. You've just got your voice, so you've got to concentrate a little bit harder on that. You hear things a little bit differently. It's sort of like a different acting chop that might drive some people crazy, but if you're an actor it's kind of interesting to do.Q. What's the difference between actors raised in Chicago vs. actors raised in New York or L.A.?A. I gotta think that if you're in Chicago, you're a little more centered. That's what I think. I think there are more extremes in L.A. and New York. It's a little closer to the center here. It's closer to a normal life, maybe. It's a little harder to work sometimes. But we're trying to change that.Q. What makes a Jessie doll more special than, say, other dolls?A. As gals, and I'm not including you in them, it's nice to not just be the princess. Not just be waiting for the guy to come along to make you happy. This is a nuanced, next-generation gal.Q. Final question. Who is the cuter Cusack? You or brother John?A. Oh, John by far. He's adorable! <div class="infoBox"><h1>More Coverage</h1><div class="infoBoxContent"><div class="infoArea"><h2>Stories</h2><ul class="links"><li><a href="/story/?id=388082">'Toy Story 3' simply first rate <span class="date">[06/17/10]</span></a></li></ul></div></div></div>