Buzz Lightyear is a fictional character from Pixar's Toy Story franchise. He's a toy Space Ranger superhero action figure who is one of the lead heroes in the five Toy Story movies, along with the pull-string cowboy Sheriff Woody. He was also spun off into his own animated Direct-to-video film, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, his self-titled television series, and most recently, Buzz has appeared in Lightyear, the 2022 full-length feature film that focuses on Buzz's origins as a character rather than a toy.
Buzz is voiced by Tim Allen in the Toy Story films and his first spin-off movie; secondary voice actors for Buzz include Patrick Warburton (in the Buzz Lightyear TV series) and Chris Evans (in Lightyear).
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Buzz Lightyear (2008-2013)[]
Buzz Lightyear, the fearless Space Ranger from the beloved Toy Story film series, made his Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in 2008, alongside fellow newcomers Smurf and Horton the Elephant. The larger-than-life hero measured 67.7-feet long, 39.9-feet wide and 34.3-feet tall, making the space ranger the widest balloon throughout all his appearances. On Thanksgiving Day, Buzz was ready for the adventure with his jet pack guiding him down the route. From his green and purple space boots all the way up to his protective helmet, which is 17-feet in diameter, Buzz Lightyear became the second balloon in Parade history to use a clear material, following the previous year's Abby Cadabby balloon.
The same year the balloon debuted, John Lasseter, director of the first two Toy Story films, A Bug's Life, and Cars, helped man the balloon in route to 34th Street in both 2008 and 2010. Buzz would fly to infinity and beyond for six consecutive appearances, with his last appearance being in 2013. That year, the balloon almost had his left arm damaged by one of the flagpoles of the Santaland Express when the balloon attempted to pass through the float after it had broken down at 55th Street. One of the balloon's utility vehicles also ran over a female balloon handler by accident, injuring her foot in the process. Despite this, the balloon completed its march, and was retired shortly after the Parade.
Despite the balloon's retirement, it would make a final appearance at the 2015 D23 Expo, where he was displayed outside of the Anaheim Convention Center. The original Buzz Lightyear balloon has not been seen since this appearance, with its current whereabouts being unknown.
Buzz Lightyear (2025-present)[]
In 2025, it was announced at Destination D23[1] that a new Buzz Lightyear balloon would debut to celebrate Toy Story's 30th anniversary and the upcoming release of Toy Story 5 in Summer 2026. The balloon measures 45.5 feet tall, 58 feet long, and 39 feet wide.
His return to the Parade on Thanksgiving Day of 2025 proved the brave Space Ranger still flies or falls with style after more than a decade of absence by going "Infinity and Beyond" once more.
Trivia[]
- Although none of the original Buzz Lightyear's appearances (except in 2009 and 2010) were to promote an actual Toy Story movie, the character's presence in the Parade was made possible by the fact that the franchise and its characters have been kept relevant in the interim between movies by numerous spin-off shorts, TV specials, video game appearances, and theme park attractions.
- The pose of Buzz Lightyear's second balloon is similar to that of Goku's first balloon.