When Walt Disney Pictures released Tarzan in 1999, it redefined animated action through sweeping vine-swinging sequences and a percussion-heavy soundtrack by Phil Collins. Yet the heartbeat of the film came from its vocal cast. Finding the right voice for a feral man raised by gorillas, a proper English explorer, and a neurotic elephant required a meticulous casting process that shaped the final animation.
Understanding who brought these characters to life reveals how voice sessions influenced the animators. From Tony Goldwyn's physical recording methods to Minnie Driver improvising lines, the production relied on distinct choices.
The Core Cast of Disney's Tarzan
The 1999 animated feature relied on a blend of seasoned stage actors, film stars, and comedians to anchor its animal and human characters.
Tony Goldwyn as Adult Tarzan
Tony Goldwyn voiced the adult protagonist. Directors Chris Buck and Kevin Lima wanted a voice that conveyed physical strength balanced with deep vulnerability. Goldwyn approached the role with intense physical dedication, often pacing and straining his voice in the booth during action sequences to match supervisor Glen Keane's fluid animation.
Minnie Driver as Jane Porter
Minnie Driver brought an eccentric, high-energy charm to Jane Porter. Originally scripted as a more traditional damsel, Driver pushed the character into a more comedic, expressive territory. She frequently improvised lines and physical gasps during recording sessions, which forced animators to adjust Jane's facial expressions to match Driver's vocal cadence.
Glenn Close as Kala
Glenn Close voiced Kala, the mother gorilla who adopts the human infant. Known for intense dramatic roles, Close brought an emotional grounding to the film. Her warm, resonant delivery established the maternal bond that drives the narrative core of the movie.
Brian Blessed as Clayton
Brian Blessed voiced the primary antagonist, Clayton. Blessed is famous for his booming, theatrical voice. Directors utilized his natural volume and sharp cadence to make Clayton sound charismatic at first before turning genuinely menacing in the jungle's final acts.
Supporting Voice Talent and Comedic Relief
The jungle ecosystem required a mix of sharp comedic timing and dramatic weight to keep the ensemble distinct.
- Rosie O'Donnell as Terk: O'Donnell voiced Tarzan's sharp-tongued gorilla best friend. Her energetic delivery drove much of the early film's fast-paced comedy.
- Wayne Knight as Tantor: Best known for playing Dennis Nedry in Jurassic Park, Knight brought a neurotic, paranoid energy to the lovable elephant Tantor.
- Lance Henriksen as Kerchak: Henriksen voiced the stern gorilla leader. To record Kerchak's final, emotional dialogue, Henriksen lay flat on a couch with the lights turned off to simulate fading breath.
- Nigel Hawthorne as Professor Porter: Hawthorne lent his distinguished British delivery to Jane's absent-minded, scholarly father.
Behind the Scenes: Casting Challenges and Directorial Choices
The production team, overseen by casting directors Mary Hidalgo and Ruth Lambert, spent months auditioning actors. For Kerchak, they listened to thousands of voice reels before selecting Lance Henriksen because his voice carried natural authority without sounding purely villainous.
Young Tarzan was voiced by Alex D. Linz, who was between eight and ten years old during production. Because animated films take years to complete, directors worried about Linz's voice breaking. Fortunately, his voice remained stable enough to complete the required recording blocks.
Another notable casting footnote involves Phil Collins. While Collins was hired strictly to write and perform the songs, his involvement expanded. Directors realized his rhythmic percussion style fit the jungle setting so well that they integrated his vocals directly into the storytelling framework. Collins recorded the soundtrack not just in English, but also learned the lyrics phonetically to sing the tracks in French, Spanish, and German for international releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did the iconic Tarzan yell?
The famous Tarzan yell was originally popularized by Johnny Weissmuller in the classic live-action films. For the 1999 Disney version, sound effects artist Scott Record performed the powerful vocal roar alongside contributions from Tony Goldwyn.
Did any celebrity children voice characters in the film?
Yes. Lily Collins, daughter of musician Phil Collins, voiced a baby ape in the movie.
Who voiced the leopard Sabor?
Sabor was voiced by veteran voice actor Frank Welker. Sabor was originally conceptualized as a black panther, but creators changed the animal to a leopard to avoid redundancy with The Jungle Book.
How long did it take to record the voice tracks?
Voice recording for major animated features like Tarzan typically spans multiple years, starting with scratch tracks for storyboard artists and concluding with final vocal sessions right before final compositing.
