Ever sat through the credits of a Disney movie and realized everything you thought you knew about the cast was sorta wrong? It happens. Especially with a movie as massive as The Lion King. Most people can name James Earl Jones as Mufasa in their sleep—that booming bass is unmistakable—but when you ask who was the voice of Simba in The Lion King, the answer gets a lot more crowded. It’s not just one guy. It’s a whole pride of actors, singers, and even a rock star’s son.
In the original 1994 masterpiece, Simba’s voice was actually split between four different people. Yeah, four. Disney didn’t just hire one person to grow up on screen; they hired separate teams for the speaking and the singing. Then you’ve got the 2019 "live-action" (read: hyper-realistic CGI) remake, which threw a whole new set of A-listers into the mix. If you’re trying to settle a bet or just curious about who actually brought the King of Pride Rock to life, here is the breakdown of every actor who has voiced the world’s most famous lion.
The 1990s Icons: Who Was the Voice of Simba in The Lion King (1994)?
In 1994, Disney was in the middle of its "Renaissance" era. They were making hits left and right, and they needed Simba to feel like a real kid who turned into a burdened adult. To get that right, they went with some of the biggest names in 90s television and film.
Young Simba: Jonathan Taylor Thomas
If you were alive in the 90s, you knew JTT. Jonathan Taylor Thomas was the middle child on the hit sitcom Home Improvement, and he was basically the face of every teen magazine in existence. He provided the speaking voice for Young Simba. He brought that specific brand of "cocky but cute" energy to lines like, "I'm gonna be a mighty king, so enemies beware!"
But here’s the kicker: JTT didn’t sing a single note in the movie.
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The Singing Cub: Jason Weaver
The voice you hear belting out "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" actually belongs to Jason Weaver. At the time, Weaver was famous for playing a young Michael Jackson in the miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream. Elton John, who wrote the music for the film, reportedly vouched for Weaver after hearing his voice.
Funny enough, Weaver’s family made a genius business move. Disney offered him a flat fee of $2 million for the role, but his mother turned it down. Instead, they took a smaller upfront payment of $100,000 in exchange for a share of the royalties. Decades later, with the movie being one of the best-selling titles in history, that gamble paid off big time.
Adult Simba: Matthew Broderick
Once Simba grows up and starts hanging out with a meerkat and a warthog, his voice shifts to Matthew Broderick. Most people know him as the titular slacker in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Disney specifically wanted Broderick because he had a "charming but lost" quality. They wanted Simba to feel like a guy who was running away from his problems but still had the heart of a king.
Broderick actually recorded his lines before he even knew who was playing Nala. It wasn't until the premiere that he realized Moira Kelly had been cast as his leading lady.
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The Adult Singing Voice: Joseph Williams
Just like the kid version, adult Simba had a separate singing voice. If you listen closely to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," that isn't Ferris Bueller. It’s Joseph Williams, the lead singer of the rock band Toto. Yes, the guy who sang "Africa" is the same guy singing about lion love in the jungle. Also, fun fact: he’s the son of legendary film composer John Williams. Small world, right?
The 2019 Era: A New Generation of Kings
When Jon Favreau decided to remake the movie in 2019, the casting strategy changed. Instead of splitting the speaking and singing between different performers, Disney went for multi-hyphenate stars who could do both. This version felt more like a musical stage play in terms of how the performances were captured.
The New Young Simba: JD McCrary
JD McCrary (who now goes by the name JayDon) took over as the young cub. Before the movie, he had already worked with Donald Glover on the song "Terrified" under the name Childish Gambino. McCrary has a soulful, old-school R&B voice that fit the modern vibe of the remake perfectly. He actually did his own singing for the 2019 version of "I Just Can't Wait to Be King."
The New Adult Simba: Donald Glover
Kinda feels like Donald Glover is everywhere, doesn't it? Whether he's winning Grammys as Childish Gambino or starring in Atlanta, he’s a powerhouse. Favreau reportedly cast Glover because his son was a fan of the actor. Glover voiced adult Simba and performed the iconic songs alongside Beyoncé, who played Nala.
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Glover mentioned in interviews that he had to think about how JD McCrary played the younger version so the transition between the two felt natural. It’s a lot of pressure to step into Matthew Broderick’s paws while also trying to keep up with Queen Bey on a soundtrack.
Why Does It Matter Who Voiced Him?
Knowing who was the voice of Simba in The Lion King gives you a glimpse into how Disney builds these characters. It’s not just about a celebrity name; it’s about texture. In the 94 version, the separation of speaking and singing allowed for a very specific "Broadway" feel where the songs felt like heightened emotional outbursts.
In the 2019 version, using the same actor for both created a more grounded, singular performance. Both versions have their fans. Some purists think the 94 cast can never be touched because of the nostalgia factor. Others love the vocal gymnastics that Glover and McCrary brought to the table.
Fast Facts for Your Next Trivia Night
- Matthew Broderick didn't think he'd be singing, which is why Joseph Williams was brought in.
- Jason Weaver is still making "Lion King money" today thanks to his mom's contract negotiation skills.
- Jonathan Taylor Thomas was so popular during production that security had to be ramped up at the studio.
- Donald Glover and JD McCrary had already worked together on music before being cast as the same character at different ages.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie Buffs
If you're a fan of voice acting or just want to dive deeper into the world of Pride Rock, here are a few things you can do next:
- Listen for the "Split": Go back and watch the 1994 version of "Hakuna Matata." Try to pinpoint the exact moment Jason Weaver's voice stops and Joseph Williams' voice begins during the transition from cub to adult. It's a seamless piece of sound editing.
- Check out the Broadway Cast: The stage musical is a whole different beast. Actors like Jason Raize (the original Broadway Simba) brought a physical, athletic energy to the role that you don't get in the movies.
- Explore the Spin-offs: Simba appears in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride and the TV show The Lion Guard. In these, he's often voiced by Cam Clarke or Rob Lowe.
Understanding the "who's who" of Disney voices makes the movies feel a bit more human. It’s not just a cartoon lion; it’s a massive collaboration between child stars, rock legends, and modern-day Renaissance men. Next time someone asks who was the voice of Simba in The Lion King, you can tell them it’s a much longer list than they probably expected.