My Lion King Forum

Sad news. Robert Guillaume, the voice of Rafiki, has died at the age of 89. He was also famous for his Emmy Award-winning role as Benson, the wise-cracking butler, on Soap and later given his own spin-off sitcom series, Benson. He will be missed.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe he is the first of the original TLK's cast to pass away. This is why I wish we got more stuff like interviews and panels with the VAs from the movie over the years. Many of these actors might not be around for much longer, sadly.

Also, Guillaume died on my birthday. Extremely weird seeing anyone's death date be on your birthday.

Kallo wrote:If I'm not mistaken, I believe he is the first of the original TLK's cast to pass away. This is why I wish we got more stuff like interviews and panels with the VAs from the movie over the years. Many of these actors might not be around for much longer, sadly.

Also, Guillaume died on my birthday. Extremely weird seeing anyone's death date be on your birthday.

Madge Sinclair died in 1995. Zoe Leader died a year or two back.

Speaking of interviews, this one from about two years back is the most recent and in-depth one I've heard from Guillaume about his Lion King involvement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQw2b1RPP5A

I do wish we could've publicly heard his thoughts on Khary Payton's Rafiki and the "live-action" version.

Elton John wrote:Madge Sinclair died in 1995. Zoe Leader died a year or two back.

Oh yeah. Totally blanked on Sinclair. Guess she passed so long ago by now and so soon after the movie's release my mind just skipped her. Didn't know Zoe Leader had passed away, though.

That is so sad. RIP Robert Guillaume

Panpardus wrote:I do wish we could've publicly heard his thoughts on Khary Payton's Rafiki and the "live-action" version.

That would have been very interesting to hear. Thank you for sharing that interview.

was really sad to hear this..... I think his performance is arguably the best in TLK

Kallo wrote:Also, Guillaume died on my birthday. Extremely weird seeing anyone's death date be on your birthday.

You're kidding me! He died on my birthday too!!

I know I'm a little late, but may he rest in peace. He also played a minor character in The Land Before Time 8 (and the TV series) named Mr Thicknose.