Mr. Potato Head

Mr. Potato Head
A smiling potato toy with light blue shoes, blue pants, white arms, a brown mustache, a black derby hat, pink ears, an open mouth with lips, a red, round nose and round Pac-Man shaped eyes
Mr. Potato Head at a Santa Claus Parade, 2009
Invented byGeorge Lerner
Company
CountryUnited States
Age range
  • 2–6 (1973–1992)
  • 2+ (1992–1996, 1999–present)
  • 2–92 (1996–1999)
Availability1952–present
Materials

Mr. Potato Head is a toy produced by Hasbro since 1952. It consists of a plastic model of a potato "head" to which a variety of plastic parts can attach; typically ears, eyes, shoes, hat, nose, mustache, pipe (1952–1987), pants, glasses, and mouth.

Mr. Potato Head was invented and manufactured by toymaker George Lerner in 1949, but was first distributed by Hasbro in 1952. It was the first toy advertised on television and has remained in production since. In its original form, Mr. Potato Head was offered as separate plastic parts with pushpins to be affixed to a real potato or other vegetable. Due to complaints regarding rotting vegetables and new government safety regulations, Hasbro began including a plastic potato body with the toy set in 1964. The original toy was joined by Mrs. Potato Head in 1953 and later supplemented with accessories including a car and boat trailer. Hasbro updated the brand in 2021, dropping the honorific in the name and marketing the toy simply as Potato Head, while retaining the individual characters of Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.

Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head both appeared in the Toy Story franchise, formerly voiced by the late Don Rickles and Estelle Harris, and recast and later voiced by Jeff Bergman and Anna Vocino for the most recent release. Additionally, in 1998, The Mr. Potato Head Show aired but was short-lived, with only one season being produced. As one of the prominent marks of Hasbro, a Mr. Potato Head balloon has also joined others in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Toy Story Midway Mania!, in Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort, also features a large talking Mr. Potato Head.