Character guide
Zazu
from The Lion King
Zazu is the fussy hornbill majordomo of the Pride Lands in The Lion King, the 1997 Broadway musical scored by Elton John.
- Show
- The Lion King
- Broadway premiere
- 1997
- Role
- Supporting
- Music by
- Elton John
Zazu: from the film to Broadway
Broadway compared with the 1994 animated film and 2019 remake
Zazu keeps his film job as Mufasa's fussy hornbill majordomo, but on Broadway he got a song the 1994 film lacked: The Morning Report, sung with Mufasa and Young Simba. The number was later animated and added to the film's 2003 DVD Special Edition, then cut from the Broadway show in 2010. Zazu also joins Scar and the hyenas in the new Act 2 number The Madness of King Scar.
Geoff Hoyle originated Zazu on Broadway in 1997. Rowan Atkinson voiced him in the 1994 animated film, and John Oliver voiced him in Jon Favreau's 2019 remake.
Who is Zazu?
Zazu serves as an advisor and watchful eye for Mufasa and later for the rest of the royal family, delivering news, keeping order, and often getting caught in the middle of Simba and Nala's mischief. He is dutiful almost to a fault, which makes him a natural source of comedy in an otherwise sweeping, dramatic story.
His loyalty and exasperation give the Pride Lands a sense of everyday texture, reminding the audience that even in a kingdom of lions, there is bureaucracy and worry to manage.
Playing Zazu on stage
As a supporting role, Zazu is a featured comic part rather than a lead, but he appears frequently and needs a performer with sharp timing and clear diction, since much of his humor lives in quick, dry lines. In this production the character is typically brought to life through puppetry, so the actor must coordinate voice and puppet movement together.
The role rewards a light, nimble touch, balancing worry and wit so that Zazu reads as endearing rather than merely nagging.
Why Zazu resonates
Audiences enjoy Zazu because he provides relief and levity amid the show's bigger emotional beats. His fussy loyalty makes him relatable, a small voice of order trying to keep up with a much wilder world around him.
Zazu: frequently asked questions
What show is Zazu from?
Zazu is a character from The Lion King, the Broadway musical with music by Elton John, which opened in 1997.
Is Zazu a lead or supporting role?
Zazu is a supporting role, serving as royal advisor and comic relief within the Pride Lands.
Who wrote the music for The Lion King?
Elton John composed the music for The Lion King, with lyrics by Tim Rice.
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