The People Behind The Voices Of The Lion King

Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Young Simba)

Image Source: Imdb

'The Lion King' is a beloved animated film produced by Disney, and it has many iconic voices behind the story's characters. For example, Jonathan Taylor Thomas provided the voice for young Simba, the lion cub at the centre of the movie's story. He is a playful, mischievous and fun-loving character.

Matthew Broderick (Adult Simba)

Image Source: Imdb

Matthew Broderick provided the voice for adult Simba, who is forced to grow up within exile, away from his pride and family members. This occurs after the tragic loss of his father, and the tyrannous reign of his uncle begins. Through exile, he manages to make friends with a couple of other animals.

James Earl Jones (Mufasa)

Image Source: Imdb

James Earl Jones provided the voice of Mufasa, who is the king of the pride, and father to Simba. Mufasa is a loving father to Simba, and attempts to teach him the ways of the pride, as well as the animal kingdom. He explains to Simba that he is the rightful heir to the throne, and will someday rule over the entire animal kingdom.

Jeremy Irons (Scar)

Image Source: Imdb

Jeremy Irons provides the voice of Scar, Mufasa's brother and Simba's uncle. Scar lives separately from the rest of the pride, as he has been exiled. He is extremely jealous of his brother, and the life he gets to live. He believes he is the rightful heir to the throne, not Simba, and guilt-trips Simba into believing he was responsible for his father's death (although it was all Scar's doing).

Niketa Calame (Young Nala)

Image Source: Imdb

Niketa Calame provides the voice for young Nala, one of the female cubs within the pride, who is close friends with Simba. The pair tend to explore the surrounding areas of the pride's settlement, and are constantly causing mischief (much to the annoyance of their mothers).

Moira Kelly (Adult Nala)

Image Source: Imdb

Moira Kelly provides the voice of adult Nala, who is led to believe (by Scar) that Simba killed his father and ran away. This leaves her feeling helpless, as she has her best friend is missing, and she's had to grow up alone. It isn't until later in the movie, that the pair are reunited, and Simba tells Nala the truth.

Rowan Atkinson (Zazu)

Image Source: Imdb

Rowan Atkinson provides the voice for Zazu, a cynical bird that is the messenger and informant for the pride lands. Despite his work for Scar, he is not considered a villain within the film, as he is captured after Mufasa's death, and forced to work for Scar. He is depicted as slightly grumpy and pessimistic in general.

Nathan Lane (Timon)

Image Source: Imdb

Nathan Lane provides the voice of Timon, who is a wise-cracking meerkat. After being exiled, Simba crosses paths with Timon, who he quickly builds a friendship with. Timon takes pity of Simba and promises that he will be his companion, and will protect him as best he can.

Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa)

Image Source: Wikipedia

Ernie Sabella provides the voice for Pumbaa, who is a jolly (slightly dim-witted) warthog. Pumbaa is Timon's best friend, and the pair cross paths with Simba. The duo quickly become a trio, and they create their own 'pack'. As Simba gets older, he goes from being protected, to protecting Timon and Pumbaa.

Robert Guillaume (Rafiki)

Image Source: NPR

Robert Guillaume provides the voice for Rafiki, who is a mandrill and serves as the shaman of the pride lands. He is the king's most trusted advisor, and is present to bless Simba at his birth. He is depicted as a wise and all-knowing creature, who has mastered the art of magic.

Whoopi Goldberg (Shenzi)

Image Source: Imdb

Whoopi Goldberg provides the voice of Shenzi, who is the leader of a pack of hyenas. The hyenas live in exile, away from the pride lands, but are recruited by Scar to help assassinate Mufasa and Simba. Shenzi is the smartest of the pack, and often has to put the other hyenas in their place.

Cheech Marin (Banzai)

Image Source: Wikipedia

Cheech Marin provides the voice for Banzai, another member of the hyena pack. He is quite dim-witted, and often lose sight of the tasks at hand, as he is only concentrated on hunting and eating. He is considered the brawn of the group, as he doesn't have much brain to offer.

Jim Cummings (Ed)

Image Source: Wikipedia

Jim Cummings provides the voice for Ed, who is the final member of the hyena pack, and is perhaps the least intelligent of the three. He doesn't really speak, and communicates through laughter. This laughter tends to irritate Banzai and Shenzi, as they have to keep him quiet.

Madge Sinclair (Sarabi)

Image Source: Imdb

Madge Sinclair provides the voice of Sarabi, the mother to Simba and the queen of the pride. She is Mufasa's partner, and the pair rule over the pride lands together, until the untimely death of Mufasa. She is then forced to rule alongside Scar, as Simba is nowhere to be found.

Zoe Leader (Sarafina)

Image Source: DeviantArt

Zoe Leader provides the voice of Sarafina, who is the mother of Nala. She is one of the minor roles within the movie, and is used to help give Nala's character some background/context. Sarafina is also used to help the storyline develop, and just generally progress.

Jason Weaver (Young Simba's Singing Voice)

Image Source: AfroTech

Jason Weaver provides the singing voice for young Simba, and is featured in all of the songs that young Simba performs. Some of the songs include: 'I Just Can't Wait To Be King' and 'Hakuna Matata'. This is the only voice acting performed by Jason within the movie.

Joseph Williams (Adult Simba's Singing Voice)

Image Source: Wikipedia

Joseph Wiliams provides the singing voice of adult Simba, and is featured on all of the songs that adult Simba performs. Some of the songs include: 'Hakuna Matata' and 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight'. This is the only voice acting that Joseph has within the movie.

Sally Dworksy (Adult Nala's Singing Voice)

Image Source: Imdb

Sally Dworsky provides the singing voice of adult Nala, and is featured on all of the songs that adult Nala performs. These songs include: 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' and 'Circle of Life'. This is the only voice acting that Sally provided within the movie.

Laura Williams (Young Nala's Singing Voice)

Image Source: Instagram

Laura Williams provides the singing voice of young Nala, and features in all of the songs that young Nala performs. Some of these songs include: 'Circle Of Life' and 'Hakuna Matata'. This is the only voice acting that Laura provided for the overall movie.

Tommy Chong (Stoney)

Image Source: Wikipedia

Tommy Chong provides the voice of Stoney, which is a minor role within the movie. He was originally supposed to play Shenzi, or one of the other hyenas, but the movie's producers couldn't get in contact with him (to discuss it). There were talks about him playing another bigger role, but the filming schedule was too tight.

Penny Johnson Jerald (Sarafina)

Image Source: TV Insider

Penny Johnson Jerald also provided some voice work for the character of Sarafina. Her voice was used to show a progression within the movie's timeline, following the loss of Simba, and Nala's estrangement. The voice is much more mature, and reflects that of an older female.

Brian Tochi (Hyena)

Image Source: Entertainment

Brian Tochi provides the voice for one of the hyenas, but it is one of the minor roles. This hyena isn't a named role, and is used to give context/background to the other hyenas. Brian's voice is also featured on one of the movie's songs, which is: 'Be Prepared'. This song features all of the hyenas.

Frank Welker (Additional Animal Vocals)

Image Source: Wikipedia

As well as the named characters within the movie, there are a plethora of other animals living on the pride lands. Frank Welker provides the voice of some of these extra animals, including the wildebeest. This role has no spoken lines, but provides some important ambience to the overall movie.

David McCharen (Additional Animal Vocals)

Image Source: The Movie Database

David McCharen is another actor that provides his voice for the additional animal characters. His voice is used for some of the other lions and birds. Again, this role does not include any spoken lines, and is purely used for added ambience within the movie's settings.

Judi M. Durand (Additional Animal Vocals)

Image Source: The Movie Database

Judi M. Durand is another actor that provides her voice for the additional animal characters. Her voice is used for some of the other lionesses and monkeys. Again, this role does not include any spoken lines, and is purely used for added ambience within the movie's settings.

Daamen J. Krall (Additional Animal Vocals)

Image Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Daamen J. Karl is yet another actor that provides his voice for the additional animal characters. His voice is used for some of the wildebeest and elephants. Again, this role does not include any spoken lines, and is purely used for added ambience within the movie's settings.

Phil Proctor (Additional Animal Vocals)

Image Source: Wikiepedia

Phil Proctor is yet another actor that provides his voice for the additional animal characters. His voice is used for some of the zebras and gazelles. Again, this role does not include any spoken lines, and is purely used for added ambience within the movie's settings.

David J. Randolph (Additional Animal Vocals)

Image Source: Imdb

David J. Randolph adds to the list of actors that provides his voice for the additional animal characters. His voice is used for some of the monkeys and meerkats. This role does not include any spoken lines, and is purely used for added ambience within the movie's settings.

Michael W. Watkins (Additional Animal Vocals)

Image Source: The Movie Database

Michael W. Watkins also adds to the list of actors that provides his voice for the additional animal characters. His voice is used for some of the vultures and leopards. This role does not include any spoken lines, and is purely used for added ambience within the movie's settings.

Steve Wilder (Additional Animal Vocals)

Image Source: Imdb

Steve Wilder also adds to the list of actors that provides his voice for the additional animal characters. His voice is used for some of the warthogs and buffalo. As with the others, this role does not include any spoken lines, and is purely used for added ambience within the movie's settings.