Top 10 Best Disney Sidekick Voice Performances
#10: Jimmy MacDonald as Jaq, Gus & Bruno “Cinderella” (1950)
What’s more impressive than voicing one Disney sidekick? Well, voicing three of course! The late Jimmy MacDonald did just that in “Cinderella.” We know Bruno doesn’t speak so much as bark. But that doesn’t change the fact that MacDonald brought the Bloodhound to life with such ease we forgot there was a man behind the mic! Now, as amazing as that is, we have to talk about the actor’s portrayal of Jaq and Gus Gus, the mice who help Cinderella get her happily ever after. The two couldn’t be more different personality-wise, yet he embodied each of them completely, infusing the limited dialogue with whimsy and making each word count! Jaq and Gus Gus are practically as iconic as Cinderella herself, and that was all MacDonald’s doing.
#9: Dwayne Johnson as Maui “Moana” (2016)
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What can we say to “The Rock” except thank you for this amazing performance? Physical resemblance aside, Dwayne Johnson fits the role of Maui so well that it feels like it was made for him. Yes, the demigod initially seems like anything but a reliable friend – at first, we fear he might even be a villain. But it turns out that as self-important and cocky as he can be, he’s also struggling. Not just that, he actually has a pretty big heart, and ultimately plays a pivotal part in Moana’s journey to save her people. Through Johnson’s portrayal, we see all those layers reflected on screen, and we come to empathize with and root for the character. He’s our favorite demi-guy!
#8: Danny DeVito as Philoctetes “Hercules” (1997)
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Oh Phil, what would Hercules – and all of us – do without you?! Thanks to Danny DeVito, that’s a question we’ll never need to answer. Voicing a satyr who’s cranky, cynical, and has basically lost hope – while creating room for him to grow and soften up as the story progresses – is no easy task. Yet DeVito makes it seem like the simplest thing in the world, which is just a testament to his talent. Honestly, “Hercules” is filled with characters that shine bright, and Phil has no right to be as memorable as he is. So we tip our hats to the actor who turned him into the mentor we didn’t know we needed, and made sure he’d never fade into the background!
#7: Josh Gad as Olaf “Frozen” franchise (2013-)
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We may not know a Samantha, but we’re sure glad we know Josh Gad’s Olaf! The character can always lighten the mood, and is one of the most lovable sidekicks around. He’s silly, relatable, and trying to figure life out – but he also cares deeply for his loved ones, often walking into the unknown for them. This characterization works specifically because Gad leans into the snowman’s wide-eyed, playful, and warm nature, making him a blast. The actor was actually able to ad-lib and put his own spin on the character, and he definitely made the most of that chance. Indeed, some of Olaf’s most hysterical moments are the product of Gad improv-ing! If you ask us, this is one voice acting performance worth melting for.
#6: Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian “The Little Mermaid” (1989)
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A wise crab once said (well, technically sang) that “life is the bubbles, under the sea.” You could practically hear Sebastian belting out those words, couldn’t you?! That’s because his voice, which belonged to Samuel E. Wright, is instantly recognizable. Wright found a way to make the sassy crustacean both refined and theatrical, cautious yet adventurous. Plus, he gave us the unforgettable, Oscar-winning gem that is “Under the Sea” – that alone certified him a bonafide legend! With him and Flounder – voiced adorably by Jason Marin – by her side, Ariel is in great company. You can imagine our joy when Wright reprised his role in a variety of “The Little Mermaid”’s follow-up projects. We could never have too much Sebastian!
#5: Eddie Murphy as Mushu “Mulan” (1998)
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Who should you call if you need someone who’s full of spunk, chaotic but kind, and can diffuse the tension in any situation? The answer is Eddie Murphy, of course! He proved he could seamlessly capture all those traits and more through Mushu. His performance gives the small dragon an exciting, larger-than-life presence, and makes him not just funny but compelling. It’s hard not to watch and be obsessed with Mushu whenever he’s on screen talking a mile a minute, because Murphy is just that captivating. The talented actor kept the slam dunks coming after the 1998 Disney classic, too, lending his voice to Donkey in DreamWorks’ “Shrek” movies. Hey, his animated characters aren’t insanely beloved by accident – he puts in the work!
#4: Nathan Lane as Timon & Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa “The Lion King” (1994)
Okay, we know these are two people voicing two characters. But Timon and Pumbaa are besties, a unit – and the way Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella play off each other creates an unbeatable dynamic. We firmly believe that no other meerkat and warthog duo could help Simba during his darkest hours! Each actor gives their respective character a unique, entertaining, and fleshed out persona. So when they come together, it’s double the breezy fun. Honestly, they set the movie’s voice acting bar so high that it’s practically impossible to reach, though Rowan Atkinson’s Zazu comes close. Luckily, Lane and Sabella brought Timon and Pumbaa to life on numerous occasions after 1994’s “The Lion King”! Hakuna Matata, indeed, because their performances leave us with no worries.
#3: Patrick Warburton as Kronk “The Emperor's New Groove” (2000)
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Say it with us: [Pull the lever Kronk - wrong lever!”]! Yes, he always pulls the wrong lever, and he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed – but Kronk is impossible not to love! In fact, he’s so endearing that it’s easy to forget how, in the wrong hands (or should we say voice), Yzma’s henchman could’ve come across as annoying. But Patrick Warburton does an excellent job behind the mic, delivering comedy that never feels forced or distracting. In doing so, he crafts one of “The Emperor’s New Groove”’s kindest, most amusing, and cherished characters with just his voice. If you ever need more Kronk, fear not – you can also catch Warburton doing his thing in the sequel and the spin-off television series! Spoiler alert, he’s incredible in those, too!
#2: Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts “Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
Every supporting character in “Beauty and the Beast” is impeccably portrayed. Jerry Orbach became Lumière, the theatrical candelabra. And David Ogden Stiers delivered a timeless performance as Cogsworth. But it’s Angela Lansbury’s Mrs. Potts that always stands out the most. We never thought we’d consider a teapot maternal, yet here we are! The character radiates warmth – and not just because she’s full of tea. Indeed, Lansbury infused her with gentle grace and care, creating a comforting, nurturing presence. We know Belle can trust Mrs. Potts whenever we hear her speak or sing, which says it all. Though Lansbury, Orbach, and Stiers have all sadly passed, their legacy lives on through their “Beauty and the Beast” characters, which they voiced on multiple occasions. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Cliff Edwards as Jiminy Cricket, “Pinocchio” (1940) This Is What We Imagine Our Conscience Sounds Like Jim Cummings as Ray, “The Princess and the Frog” (2009) He Makes Us Believe Fiercely in Ray & Evangeline’s Love Story Charles Kimbrough as Victor, Jason Alexander as Hugo, & Mary Wickes as Laverne, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996) Their Performances Add a Fun, Lively Dynamic to the Classic Flick Rosie O'Donnell as Terk, “Tarzan” (1999) Could You Imagine Anyone Else Voicing This Sassy Sidekick? Phil Harris as Baloo, “The Jungle Book” (1967) This Voice Performance Delivers Far More Than the Bare Necessities!
#1: Robin Williams as Genie “Aladdin” (1992)
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Was there ever any question about this pick? As Genie in “Aladdin” (and the “King of Thieves” sequel), the late great Robin Williams delivered one of the most extraordinary performances of all time, period. He certainly didn’t have to go that hard, but thank goodness he did. His Genie has everything you could possibly want and more, from a sense of humor and verve to complexity and heart. And don’t even get us started on those impressions and the singing! Williams seamlessly took a supporting character and turned him into an unforgettable, hilarious superstar, delivering a master class in voice acting and improvisation in the process. If you ask us, what he accomplished was not only truly magical – it was worth its weight in wishes.
