Hakuna Matata! Find out what the iconic cast of voice actors have been up to since the famous animated Disney film premiered in 1994.
Borrowing thematic elements from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Disney’s The Lion King (1994) quickly became a beloved classic, grossing over $760 million worldwide. As the animated film approaches its 30th anniversary on June 24, 2024, it’s interesting to see how the actors who brought the animals of Pride Rock to life have evolved alongside the enduring legacy of the film.
The movie was nominated for four music-related Oscars and won two: Best Original Score for Hans Zimmer and Best Original Song for Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” Iconic songs like “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata” were also nominated.
A collection of celebrated actors from various backgrounds contributed to this landmark film. From Oscar winners like Whoopi Goldberg and Jeremy Irons to Broadway legends such as Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, the talented cast has continued to shine in diverse roles.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Young Simba
The ’90s heartthrob who voiced young Simba, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, continued his acting career with films like Man of the House and Tom and Huck. Notably, he played Randy Taylor in the sitcom Home Improvement before taking a break to explore other interests.
“I’d been going nonstop since I was 8 years old,” Thomas said in 2013. “I wanted to go to school, to travel and have a bit of a break.” After attending Harvard, Columbia University, and St. Andrew’s University in Scotland, Thomas returned to Los Angeles. He directed his Home Improvement co-star Tim Allen in episodes of Last Man Standing and also made acting appearances in the series.
Matthew Broderick as Adult Simba
Matthew Broderick was already a favorite, known for ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ when he voiced adult Simba. Since then, he has starred in numerous films, including ‘Election’ (1999), ‘The Stepford Wives’ (2004), ‘The Producers’ (2005), ‘Tower Heist’ (2011), and ‘Manchester by the Sea’ (2016).
Broderick, married to Sarah Jessica Parker since 1997, has three children. The couple continues to thrive both in Hollywood and Broadway, including a notable performance in a revival of ‘Plaza Suite.’
James Earl Jones as Mufasa
Best known for voicing Darth Vader, James Earl Jones brought gravitas to the role of Mufasa. He continued his prolific voiceover career, narrating projects like ‘Twilight Zone: Rod Serling’s Lost Classics’ and ‘The Simpsons.’ He reprised his role as Mufasa in the 2019 live-action remake and returned as King Jaffe Joffer in ‘Coming 2 America’ (2021).
Jones retired from voicing Darth Vader in 2022. He was married to Cecilia Hart until her passing in 2016, and they have one son, Flynn.
Nathan Lane as Timon
Nathan Lane’s career flourished post-Timon. He appeared in ‘Stuart Little’ (1999) and TV shows like ’30 Rock,’ ‘The Good Wife,’ ‘American Crime Story,’ ‘Modern Family,’ and ‘Only Murders in the Building,’ earning him several Emmy nominations and a win. He remains a prominent figure on Broadway.
Lane married his partner Devlin Elliott in 2015, having been together for 18 years.
Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa
Ernie Sabella brought Pumbaa to life with his endearing performance. He continued to voice the character in various TV shows, movies, and video games. Sabella has been married to his wife, Cheryl, since 1999.
Jeremy Irons as Scar
Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons was already a seasoned performer when he voiced the menacing Scar. He went on to star in films such as ‘Die Hard with a Vengeance’ (1995), ‘Lolita’ (1997), and ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016). Irons and his wife, Sinéad Cusack, have two sons.
Rowan Atkinson as Zazu
Best known as Mr. Bean, Rowan Atkinson voiced Zazu, adding a unique touch to the character. Atkinson has continued to entertain audiences with his various projects, including his animated series and the Johnny English films. He divorced Sunetra Sastry in 2015 and welcomed a daughter with Louise Ford in 2017.
Robert Guillaume as Rafiki
Robert Guillaume, who voiced the wise Rafiki, passed away in 2017 at the age of 89. He left behind a legacy that includes his iconic voice work and a distinguished acting career.
Moira Kelly as Nala
Moira Kelly voiced Nala and continued to shine in roles like Mandy Hampton on ‘The West Wing’ and Karen Roe on ‘One Tree Hill.’ She appeared in TV films such as ‘Girl in the Bunker’ (2018) and ‘My Southern Family Christmas’ (2022).
Kelly and her husband Steve Hewitt have two children.
Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi
Playing the leader of the hyena pack, Shenzi, Whoopi Goldberg continued to enjoy an illustrious career. She has starred in numerous projects, including ‘Cinderella’ (1997), ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’ (1998), and ‘Till’ (2022). Goldberg is also a longtime co-host of ‘The View’ and has an EGOT to her name.
Goldberg has been married three times and has one daughter, Alex Martin.
Jim Cummings as Ed
Jim Cummings voiced Ed, one of Shenzi’s minions, and has given life to countless other beloved characters like Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Darkwing Duck. He also worked on video games such as ‘Kingdom Hearts III.”
Cummings has two daughters with ex-wife Stephanie Jardon and two older daughters from a previous marriage.
Cheech Marin as Banzai
Cheech Marin, who voiced Banzai, continued his successful career by voicing Ramone in ‘Cars’ and appearing in ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’ (1996) and ‘Spy Kids’ (2001). He married Natasha Rubin in 2009 and is a father of three.
