Timon

Timon is one of the characters from The Lion King, Timon and Pumbaa, the film's sequel, and its parallel. Timon is the best friend of Pumbaa and the protector of Simba when he was little. Inspired by the idea of having a major predator on their side, he and Pumbaa took Simba in when he collapsed of heat exhaustion after his father's death. He was voiced by Nathan Lane in the trilogy films, Kevin Schon in Timon and Pumbaa and House of Mouse, Quinton Flynn in some of the Timon and Pumbaa episodes, and Bruce Lanoil in the Wild About Safety shorts.

Personality
Timon can be rather selfish and thoughtless at times, but in the end, he has a good heart and is loyal to his friends. Unlike most meerkats, who work constantly, Timon is a lazy daydreamer which results in him being cast out of his colony. His status at the bottom of the food chain means he relies on stronger animals to protect him once he's on his own, and as such he usually looks out for himself, but nonetheless he never abandons his friends in times of trouble and is willing to risk himself for them. He is not as clever as he'd like to think he is, often claiming Pumbaa's good ideas as his own (and seemingly genuinely believing it). He's not incapable of thinking up his own plans though, his greatest moment being the 'Tunnels' plan in The Lion King 1 1/2.

The Lion King
Timon found Simba along with Pumbaa when Simba succumbed to heat exhaustion. After Pumbaa suggested an adult Simba would make a great bodyguard, he took the idea for his own. When Simba woke up, they taught him their life philosophy, "Hakuna Matata". He also introduced Simba to a diet of bugs to keep Simba from one day eating himself and Pumbaa. They lived happily with Simba, until his childhood friend Nala arrived.

After learning Simba is the king, and that he was going to reclaim his kingdom, Timon was at first doubtful, but when Simba confirmed it, he was exceedingly enthusiastic about it. When he and Pumbaa see Simba and Nala falling in love, he is regretful about losing Simba, not only as a bodyguard but also as a friend, but still follows him back to the Pride Lands with Pumbaa.

In the final battle, he and Pumbaa danced the hula to distract hyenas so that Simba and Nala could get back into the Pride Lands unnoticed and Simba would have a clear shot at Scar. He and Pumbaa fight off numerous hyenas before he is chased by Banzai into Scar's cave and takes cover in Zazu's cage. Pumbaa rescues him, breaking Zazu free at the same time, and at the films end, Timon decides to stay and live with Pumbaa and Simba at Pride Rock.

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride
Timon reappears along with Pumbaa as Simba's guardians and uncles of Simba and Nala's new born cub Kiara. Along with Pumbaa he has moved into Pride Rock and is first shown after the opening song He Lives In You. In the film him and Pumbaa acts as Kiara's uncle and babysitters which strongly annoys her. During the middle of the film Timon and Pumbaa teach Kovu how to have fun and enjoy himself. In this film Timon changes his motto from Hakuna Matata to ''When the going gets tough the tough gets Going. ''Later on the motto is reverted back to Hakuna Matata.

The Lion King 1½
It is revealed that Timon chose to leave his colony and find his own home after failing at every job he tries, from digging tunnels to sentry duty. During his journey he meets Rafiki, who tells him to look beyond what he sees (not realising that Timon takes such things literally) and then Pumbaa, who he at first considers a bodyguard, but comes to see as a friend, and is shown passing through the numerous musical sequences and major events of The Lion King on his journey, even getting caught up in the stampede which killed Mufasa. He meets up with Simba and comes to face the responsibilies of parenthood. It is revealed that he actively tried to stop Simba and Nala falling in love rather than merely singing about it.

At first, after Simba returns to Pride Rock, Timon does not want to follow, and splits from Pumbaa briefly. But then he meets with Rafiki and comes to understand that if you're alone and unhappy, you cannot have "Hakuna Matata". He follows Pumbaa back to Pride Rock, where he reunites with his Ma and Uncle Max. He then joins the final battle, diverting the hyenas from attacking Simba. He then thinks up a plan involving tunnels to trap the hyenas, stalling them by spinning plates, doing the can-can, breakdancing, and finally in desperation, to Shenzi's disgust and Pumbaa's jaw-dropping speechlessness, proposing to Shenzi. The tunnel trap fails, and Timon dives between Shenzi's legs and breaks the last few supports, completing the trap. Finally, Timon finds a new place for his colony to live and in his Ma's eyes, is a hero.

Timon and Pumbaa
In the spinoff series Timon and Pumbaa have many adventures in the jungles of Africa. He and Pumbaa have been to many famous places such as Las Vegas, Paris and Hollywood. Many of Timon actions in the show involves "get rich quick" schemes.

In the episode "Once Upon a Timon" some of his back story was reveled. He lived in a Meerkat colony complete with streets, shops and even a princess who Timon had a massive crush on. One day when Timon had guard duty, he left his post to speak with the princess. While he was gone a snake invaded and kidnapped her. Timon was baned and met Pumbaa. Son enough he came across the captive princess and rescued her. He was offered to marry her and get the good life but that would mean leaving Pumbaa. He decided to stay with his pal.

In the series, Timon's last name was revealed to be Berkowitz.

House of Mouse
Timon is a recurring character on the House of Mouse television shows and films. Timon made appearances usually along with Pumbaa, but also with Simba, Rafiki, Nala, Mufasa, Scar, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed. He often has a comment on a certain performance (most of the time it's rude).

In the episode Timon and Pumbaa, Timon and his buddy get into an argument and do not reunite until Pumbaa is embarrassed on stage and Timon backs him up.

A recurring gag in the series involves, Timon trying to eat Jiminy Cricket and nearly succeeds until Pumbaa saves him.

Aladdin Platinum Edition DVD
Timon appears briefly in the Virtual Magic Carpet Ride game included on disc 2 of the 2004 Aladdin Platinum Edition DVD. He appears as a replacement for Genie to help Aladdin rescue Jasmine.

First Visit
Timon is not seen until Simba is seen in the oasis. At this point, Timon looks a little emotional to a degree, noting to Pumbaa: "Look at 'him Pumbaa, look at how he's grown. Why, when I rescued the little guy, he was only this big" and then lowers his hand to level with his knee. He is eventually met by Sora and the gang and teach them about Hakuna Matata, which means no worries. As he leads a conga line of sorts with him at the lead and Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Pumbaa in the back, he chants "Hakuna", while the others respond "Matata". However, this carefree antic is put to a stop by Simba's fight with Nala about going back to the Pride Land. Later, Timon helps the entire group to try and take down Scar, alongside Pumbaa. However, their attempts ultimately fail and they are cornered by Shenzi, Banzai and Ed in a cave, which means it is Sora's responsibility to rescue them. At the end of the First Visit, Timon is present and even delivers the line, after the gateway to the next world has been opened, "Hey! What's with the light show?", which shows other people can see the glow that is seen whenever Sora unlocks another gateway.

Second Visit
Timon is seen only scarcely, but ultimately helps Simba by telling him to "Live for today". He also gives some good advice before facing the Groundshaker.

Disney Parks
Timon appears in the Disney parks as a meetable character. He was very common and usually seen with Rafiki. As of 2011, though, he now mostly only appears at Disneyland Paris and very rarely shows up at Walt Disney World and Hong Kong Disneyland.

Timon, along with Pumbaa, also appears as a mascot for the Disney Parks hosting for park safety.

Disney's Animal Kingdom
Timon, along with Pumbaa appears as a mascot or Disney's Animal Kingdom and can be found in numerous areas inside the park. Timon also appears in Mickey's Jingle Jangle Jungle Parade during Christmas time.

Festival of The Lion King
In the live stage show Timon is the host and tells tales of The Lion King. In the show Timon along with Simba and Pumbaa host a series of songs and stunts from The Lion King film. Timon is accompanied by a pack of monkeys who preform different stunts and tricks and are a pain in the neck according to Timon.

Fantasmic!
Timon appears during the bubble montage in the live nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! Timon later reappears riding either the Mark Twain Riverboat or Steamboat Willie.

Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable
Timon and Pumbaa are planning on building "Hakuna Matata Lakeside Village Resort" in the jungle by damming the river and draining a nearby watering hole. This prompts Simba to show them another species whose actions have affected the environment for the worse - humans.

Trivia

 * In the first Lion King film, Timon is the only character who stands and walks on his back feet (while meerkat normally walk on all four).
 * It is revealed in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride that Timon is unaware of Scar's death.
 * Timon, along with Pumbaa, is the most popular and famous character from The Lion King franchise.