Buzz Lightyear

Buzz Lightyear is a fictional character appearing in the Toy Story franchise. He is a space ranger and is one of two main protagonists (the other being Sheriff Woody). He has also appeared in the movie Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins and the television series Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, as well as the two film sequels. His often repeated catchphrase is "To infinity ... and beyond!" While Tim Allen voiced the character in the Toy Story films and the TV movie, Patrick Warburton provided his voice for the TV series, and Pat Fraley voiced Buzz Lightyear for the video games and the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasers attraction in Disneyland.

In the theatrical films, the featured Buzz is a toy, a spaceman action figure, whereas the television properties follow the adventures of the fictional space ranger on whom the toy is modeled.

The character of Buzz originated(1995-2010) from an agreement signed by Disney and Pixar to work on a film based on characters from Pixar's Oscar-winning short film Tin Toy, which would be called Toy Story.John Lasseter, the director of Tin Toy, decided that the main character Tinny was "too antiquated", and the character was changed to a military action figure, and then given a space theme. Tinny's name changed to Lunar Larry, then Tempus from Morph, and eventually Buzz Lightyear (after astronaut Buzz Aldrin).Lightyear's design was modeled on the suits worn by Apollo astronauts as well as G.I. Joe action figures.Bob Pauley, a Production Designer at Pixar for the original Toy Story movie, is credited with some of the most formative and iconic character design work on Buzz Lightyear.Billy Crystal was approached to play Buzz, but turned down the role (which he later regretted).Bill Murray also originally was going to play Buzz, but he too turned down the role. Katzenberg then took the role to Tim Allen, who was appearing in Disney's Home Improvement, and he accepted.Toy Story was Allen's first animated film role.