Surprise! 10 Celebrities Who Voiced Your Favorite Disney Characters

08/07/2012

Ah, Disney. Is there anything that says "childhood" more than a well-worn VHS tape of Aladdin or The Lion King? We don’t think so. But for all the times you’ve watched countless princes and princesses fall in love, we’re willing to bet that you’d still be shocked by the voices behind some of your favorite characters.

Here are ten stars whose Disney pasts may surprise you:

1) Jonathan Taylor Thomas - Young Simba, The Lion King

It’s no secret that Jonathan Taylor Thomas, otherwise known as JTT, was a heartthrob in the 90s. He was blond, good-looking, and starred opposite Tim Allen on Home Improvement for eight years. And in 1994, Thomas took on his most famous role to date – but few know that it’s him behind the cartoon. As the voice of young Simba in The Lion King, Jonathan Taylor Thomas told the world he just couldn’t wait to be king, and secured a place in our childhoods forever. Thomas later referenced his role as the young lion during an episode of Home Improvement, where Tim Allen’s niece is playing with a Simba stuffed animal. "I’ll tell ya," Thomas says to her, "being a lion king is no easy work." Awww.

2) Matthew Broderick – Adult Simba, The Lion King

Apart from his roles as Ferris Bueller and Sarah Jessica Parker’s husband, Matthew Broderick is known for his work on Broadway, often starring with Nathan Lane in shows such as The Producers and The Odd Couple. But did you know that the Broadway vet also voiced one of the most memorable characters in Disney history? Yes, it was Broderick as the grown-up version of JTT’s Simba, defeating the evil Scar and winning back Pride Rock. Another interesting fact: Broderick’s frequent co-star Nathan Lane played meerkat Timon in the film.

3) Scott Weinger - Aladdin, Aladdin

You might not recognize his name, but any Full House fan would know that face: It’s Steve Hale, D.J. Tanner’s lovable boyfriend! Yes, Scott Weinger, who played Steve for 33 episodes, also voiced Aladdin in Disney’s feature film, as well as the direct-to-video sequels and the subsequent Aladdin T.V. series. And in yet another Disney "in-joke," there is an episode of Full House where the Tanners go to Disney World – and D.J. thinks she spots Steve, only to discover that it’s only Aladdin. Ha. We love it.

4) Joey Lawrence - Oliver, Oliver & Company

 "Whoa!" Who knew that the former Blossom star was also the voice of cat Oliver in Disney’s 1988 Oliver Twist-inspired film?

5) Billy Joel – Dodger, Oliver & Company 

And it wasn’t just Joey Lawrence whose voice-over role in Oliver & Company surprised us. Billy Joel, who also did all of the music for the film, provided the voice for Dodger, Oliver’s carefree but deviant friend.

6) Mel Gibson – John Smith, Pocahontas 

Oh, the irony. Once upon a time, in 1995, Mel Gibson played the part of a white English settler named John Smith who fell in love with Native American princess Pocahontas. His character learned to accept those of different backgrounds, cultures, and religious beliefs. If only life imitated art.

7) Demi Moore - Esmeralda, The Hunchback of Notre Dame 

In 1996, after the Brat Pack and before Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore was a mother of three, married to Bruce Willis, and the voice behind gypsy Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, arguably one of Disney’s darker animated features. Even though Moore’s trademark raspy voice is prominent in her role as Esmeralda, we’d be willing to bet that this shocked at least a few of you, too.

8) Danny Devito – Phil, Hercules 

Okay, so maybe this one was a little more obvious: you can’t deny the uncanny resemblance between Danny DeVito and his Hercules character Phil. While it’s clear that Disney animators modeled Phil’s appearance after DeVito’s own, we still think it’s hilarious.

9) David Spade – Emperor Kuzco, The Emperor’s New Groove

While you wouldn’t necessarily think to pair sarcastic comedian David Spade with Disney’s squeaky-clean image, Spade nevertheless portrayed the title character in The Emperor’s New Groove – and did a fine job, we might add.

10) Oprah Winfrey – Eudora, The Princess and the Frog

Disney’s most recent animated film, The Princess and the Frog, is the tale of Tiana, a young girl living in New Orleans, trying to achieve a dream of opening her own restaurant. And who better to guide her than Oprah Winfrey, queen of determination, hard work, and hope? It’s fitting that the first African-American Disney princess has Oprah for a mom.