With the first glimpse [1] of the CGI/live-action reboot [2] of Disney's classic The Lion King [3] finally released, we're feeling nostalgic for the 1994 original animated film. Just as the upcoming 2019 remake has assembled an all-star lineup [4] to voice Simba, Nala, and all the rest, Disney brought together a cast of award winners and up-and-comers back in 1994 [5] that became unforgettable icons as the film skyrocketed into critical acclaim and box office records. If you're feeling nostalgic, or can't quite remember who played which characters [6] in the original film, we've got you covered. Read through our gallery below for a refresher on which stars voiced your favourite characters [7], what they've been up to in the years since, and which star is returning for the 2019 remake!
Matthew Broderick (Simba)
Broderick was already a teen icon for Ferris Bueller's Day Off when he took on the role of Simba. After the movie, he returned to Broadway, winning a Tony for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and earning another nomination for the smash hit The Producers. Although he's popped up in several films over the years, his most significant work has really been on the stage.
Moira Kelly (Nala)
Kelly was no stranger to leading lady roles when she voiced Nala: she starred in the 1992 cult-favourite rom-com The Cutting Edge. She also starred opposite Robert Downey Jr. in Chaplin. In 2003, she joined the cast of the WB series One Tree Hill, playing Karen Roe for five seasons and directing a pair of episodes.
James Earl Jones (Mufasa)
No one has as unmistakable a voice as James Earl Jones, whose booming tones have voiced fathers both noble (Mufasa) and not so much (Darth Vader). His work in recent years has mostly been guest spots and ongoing voice work, but he was recognised by the Screen Actors Guild (in 2008) and the Academy Awards (in 2011) for lifetime achievement. He's returning to the role of Mufasa [8], once again voicing the noble king of the lions in the 2019 remake [9] of The Lion King.
Jeremy Irons (Scar)
As the sarcastic, scheming Scar [10], Irons — or at least his voice — was the stuff of nightmares for a generation of children. But his career spans much more than a usurping lion. Mostly a dramatic actor, Irons has won an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony, and has starred in everything from period dramas like The Man in the Iron Mask and The Borgias to action films like Die Hard With a Vengeance. He also joined a big-name franchise, playing Alfred Pennyworth in the DCEU films starting in 2016.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Young Simba)
Despite his massive success with the teen market in the '90s, Jonathan Taylor Thomas (aka JTT) quit acting for the most part by the end of Home Improvement in 1998. He has made small cameos here and there — notably in his former costar Tim Allen's show Last Man Standing in 2013 and 2015 — but he leads a quiet life out of the spotlight.
Whoopi Goldberg (Shenzi)
Whoopi Goldberg has been a very, very busy lady. One of the most recognisable names of the '90s, Goldberg went on to appear in many iconic films after The Lion King. In 1994 alone, she starred in The Little Rascals, Corrina, Corrina, Star Trek: Generations, and The Pagemaster. We still love her in Boys on the Side, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and Girl, Interrupted. She's been a cohost on The View since 2005, but has still managed to pack in appearances on Glee, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, and Blue Bloods.
Cheech Marin (Banzai)
While he's still probably best known as one half of the comedy duo Cheech & Chong, Marin has been a prolific actor over the years. He starred in Nash Bridges from 1996 to 2001, still fitting in roles in movies like From Dusk Till Dawn and Tin Cup. Lately, he's taken up a lot of voice work, lending his pipes to the Cars franchise (he's Ramon!) and kids series like Elena of Avalor.
Nathan Lane (Timon)
The stage legend who voiced Simba's sidekick Timon was an ideal choice with his comic chops. Although he's rarely been a leading man, Lane has built a lengthy resume of role and accolades, including three Tony award — one of which, for The Producers, reunited him with his Lion King costar Matthew Broderick [11]. He guest-starred on several TV series, including The Good Wife and Modern Family. Most recently, he won a Tony for the revival of Angels in America, where he costarred with Andrew Garfield [12].
Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa)
Like several of his Lion King costars, Sabella's career has been based more on the stage than on the big screen, but he's also had several recurring and guest roles on television. Millennials might remember him as Mr. Petrachelli on That's So Raven, and he also had an arc on Saved by the Bell [13]. He also returned to reprise the role of Pumbaa for recent animated spin-offs of The Lion King for Disney Channel and its affiliates.
Rowan Atkinson (Zazu)
The British character actor, who voiced fussy hornbill Zazu, is one of those guys who's been in seemingly everything. He's best known for a pair of British sitcoms, Blackadder and Mr. Bean, which ran for several years and became cultural icons in the UK. Among international fans, he's probably best known for his scene-stealing bit part as the very particular shop assistant in Love Actually.
Robert Guillaume (Rafiki)
Prior to The Lion King, Guillaume was already an established and respected Hollywood actor. He'd won a pair of Emmys for his work in the sitcoms Soap and Benson in the 1970s and '80s. Guillaume also lent his voice to several other children's shows and movies over the years. Sadly, Guillaume passed away in October 2017 after a battle with prostate cancer.