Javier Fernandez-Peña

Buzz Lightyear is a main character in Disney–Pixar's Toy Story franchise, voiced by Tim Allen.

He is a superhero toy action figure based on the in-universe media franchise consisting of a blockbuster feature film and animated series.

In the Disney–Pixar Toy Story franchise, Buzz wears a green, purple, and white space suit.

Buzz Lightyear is a recurring character in all of the Toy Story franchise's animated films, including spin-offs.

Notably, Woody serves as the main protagonist throughout the four films in the series, while Buzz remains an important character.

In Toy Story (1995), unlike most other toys, Buzz initially believes himself to be the "real" Buzz Lightyear and comes to terms with actually being just a toy; in Toy Story 2 (1999), Buzz encounters other Buzz Lightyear action figures from the toyline who similarly believe themselves to be "real" including one of the character's in-universe archenemy and father: Emperor Zurg; in Toy Story 3 (2010), set ten years later, Buzz explores a romance with cowgirl figure Jessie, while he uncovers his Spanish mode; while in Toy Story 4 (2019), Buzz finds his inner voice and bids farewell to Woody, who leaves to be with Bo Peep.

The fictional character, Buzz Lightyear, Space Ranger, on which the toy Buzz is based, also appears in the 2000 direct-to-video film Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins and its subsequent spin-off television series, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command.

In these productions, he is voiced by Tim Allen and Patrick Warburton, respectively.

Chris Evans voiced this version of the character in the 2022 spin-off film Lightyear, presented as an in-universe film the characters in Toy Story would watch (as previously depicted in the opening scene of The Adventure Begins) exploring their origin story, with James Brolin additionally voicing an elderly, nihilistic version of Buzz from an alternate future, known as Zurg (a separate character from Emperor Zurg).

Buzz Lightyear was named in honor of Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the Moon.

According to Pixar producers, the character was provisionally named Lunar Larry, but it sounded "too wacky".

Aldrin acknowledged the tribute when he pulled a Buzz Lightyear toy out during a speech at NASA.

A clip of this can be found on the Toy Story 10th Anniversary DVD.

Aldrin did not receive any endorsement fees for the use of his nickname.

Regarding the design of Lightyear, Toy Story director John Lasseter said he wanted to create an action figure in the line of G.I. Joe for the film and decided upon a spaceman figure.

Lasseter attributes his design to the influence of Apollo astronauts, in particular, their clear helmets, skullcaps, communication devices, and white suits.

The purple and fluorescent green color scheme were the favorite colors of Lasseter and his wife's respectively.

The looks of television actor Ed Kemmer are also believed to be a prototype for Lightyear.

Kemmer played Commander Buzz Corry in Space Patrol, one of the first science-fiction series on American television.

Originally, when a screen test was being made, producers wanted Buzz to be voiced by Billy Crystal, and used audio from the film When Harry Met Sally....

He turned the role down, and after seeing the first film, he said that turning it down was "the biggest mistake of his career".

In the animated film Toy Story, Buzz Lightyear, an action figure, is given to a boy named Andy Davis from his mother as a birthday present.

He quickly impresses the other toys with his skills, flashy accessories and wings, and soon becomes Andy's favorite toy.

Sheriff Woody, the former favorite toy, quickly becomes jealous.

It soon becomes apparent that Buzz is unaware he is a toy, genuinely believing that he is a space ranger sent to stop the Evil Emperor Zurg.

He further believes that his red light bulb "laser" is a deadly weapon, his wings are functional aircraft-grade steel, and that he cannot breathe with his helmet open.

After Woody unintentionally knocks Buzz out of Andy's bedroom window, Buzz follows and confronts Woody in Andy's car.

The two become separated from Andy while fighting, and Woody tries to convince Buzz he is a toy but fails.

The two are soon captured by Andy's sadistic neighbor, Sid Phillips.

Buzz sees a commercial on a TV in Sid's house which reveals he is a toy.

In denial, Buzz tries to fly and ends up breaking his arm.

He falls into despair.

Sid's toys fix Buzz's arm, and Sid tapes him to a rocket with the intention to blow him up.

Woody convinces Buzz his purpose is to make Andy happy; eventually causing Buzz to regain his resolve.

He teams up with Woody to escape Sid and return to Andy.

As the two pursue Andy's van, Woody is attacked by Sid's dog Scud.

Buzz fights off the dog to rescue Woody, and Woody uses RC to rescue Buzz.

When the two are still unable to catch up to Andy, Woody is forced to light the rocket and launch them into the air; Buzz opens his wings to sever the tape holding him to the rocket, saving them from exploding and flying solo for the first time, albeit, while carrying Woody.

After they are reunited with Andy, Buzz and Woody remain close friends.

In the animated film Toy Story 2, Woody is kidnapped by a greedy toy collector named Al McWhiggin, who is intent on selling him and other "Woody's Roundup" toys to a toy museum in Japan.