Woody is the pull-string cowboy toy who serves as the leader of Andy’s toys. He’s central to Toy Story because he represents loyalty, friendship, and responsibility among the toys.

• Core role: Woody is Andy’s favorite toy and acts as the de facto captain, ensuring no toy gets left behind and keeping group morale intact. This leadership position drives most of the stories’ conflicts and resolutions.

• Backstory in the films: Woody is introduced as a classic, old-fashioned toy with a long history in Andy’s world. In Toy Story 2, we learn more about Woody’s past as the star of a 1950s Western show and his sense of duty to his fellow toys, which deepens his character as someone who values loyalty and self-sacrifice.

• Character arc: Over the series, Woody shifts from being possessive of his role as Andy’s favorite to embracing a broader purpose—helping other toys, including Bo Peep and Forky, and choosing to stay with the group to support them. This evolution underlines themes of community and selflessness.

If you’d like, I can pull brief quotes or summarize specific scenes from the films that illustrate Woody’s leadership, loyalty, and growth.