In Pixar’s Cars, who voices the retired racer Doc Hudson?

In Pixar’s Cars, Paul Newman voices the retired racer Doc Hudson.

Doc Hudson is the town doctor and a former Piston Cup champion who initially hides his racing past from Lightning McQueen. Newman’s performance gives the character a calm, stern quality that gradually becomes more supportive as Doc helps McQueen understand racing and community.

The character is also modeled as a 1951 Hudson Hornet. In the film’s backstory, Doc was a highly successful racer before a crash ended his competitive career and caused the racing world to move on. His experience makes him one of the few residents able to teach McQueen about racing beyond speed and publicity.

Paul Newman was himself strongly associated with motorsport. He competed as a racing driver and co-owned racing teams, making his casting especially fitting. Doc Hudson was Newman’s final feature-film voice role before his death in 2008.