Estelle Harris, known for providing the high-pitched, comedic voice of Mrs. Potato Head in the Toy Story franchise, has passed away. The actor was 93.
Harris died in her home in California of natural causes, as her son Glen Harris informed The Hollywood Reporter. She had an extensive filmography of supporting roles in movies and TV series, and her distinctive voice made her a favorite for portraying humorously overbearing animated characters.
From the fourth season of Jerry Seinfeld’s classic 1990s sitcom Seinfeld, she played the recurring role of Mrs. Costanza (whose first name was also Estelle). Mrs. Costanza was the mother of Jerry’s best friend George, played by Jason Alexander. As a nagging, old-fashioned housewife, Harris played hilariously off of Alexander’s grumpy underachiever and became a highlight of the show for many viewers, along with her eccentric husband, portrayed by Jerry Stiller.
Harris first became the voice of Mrs. Potato Head in Toy Story 2, although the character had her first mention in the series’ first movie when Mr. Potato Head has his wish for a wife granted thanks to a birthday gift for the toys’ owner, Andy. Mrs. Potato Head brought the same shrill energy to her marriage as Mrs. Costanza had in Seinfeld, but she and her husband, with all of their mix-and-match parts, remained devoted to each other throughout the series.
Harris reprised her Toy Story role for several mini-features and tie-ins, and starred in the fourth movie as recently as 2019. Some fans may have also recognized her as a voice in films like Brother Bear and Home on the Range, as well as episodes of animated series such as Futurama and Kim Possible.
Source: THR
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