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| Pumbaa | |
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Male |
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Bunga (adoptive son) |
| “ | They call me Mister Pig!
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Pumbaa is the secondary tritagonist of The Lion King, a supporting character in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, and the deuteragonist of The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa and The Lion King 1½. He is a warthog who is the best friend of Timon and Simba.
Biography
Backstory
A young Pumbaa and his gas problem
There is little known about Pumbaa's life before the events that are shown in the film. However, before Timon and Pumbaa find the jungle, Pumbaa says that he is alone in the world. It is possible that he inadvertently lost contact with his family. Also, during the flashback during the song "Hakuna Matata", Timon and Pumbaa sing that Pumbaa had problems with gas when he was younger. They mention that Pumbaa once went to a water hole in the savanna but let out very smelly gas, causing monkeys to fall from the trees to the ground because of the stink. When Pumbaa came to drink the water, his gas caused all the nearby animals to flee. For Pumbaa, it was very embarrassing.
The Lion King
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Pumbaa and Timon sing "Hakuna Matata" to Simba, during which they teach the cub about their worry-free way of life
Pumbaa makes his first appearance after Mufasa's death when young Simba makes his way into the searing desert. After scaring off some buzzards, Pumbaa leaves Timon to brush himself off and examines the "corpse" of the lion cub, finding out he is in fact still alive. Timon investigates and flies into a fit of fear when he realizes that it's a lion, but Pumbaa insists that even though he is a potential predator, they should keep the cub and raise him on their side. Timon scoffs at this idea, but in the end, Pumbaa gets his way, and he gathers Simba from the sands via his tusks, and the duo make their way back to the jungle.
Pumbaa scoffs at Simba's notion that the Great Kings of the Past watch over them from the stars
When Simba awakens and explains his predicament, Pumbaa is sympathetic and suggest the cub sweep his problems under the rug, or Hakuna Matata, and take one day at a time. Timon and Pumbaa lead Simba into their home, get him used to a diet of insects, and proceed to raise the lion to adulthood according to their philosophy. One night the trio lays out in a clearing and gazes up at the stars, giving their own views of their origin when Pumbaa asks what they are. They coax one out of Simba, but laugh at him, something that drives him away.
A Time later, Timon and Pumbaa stroll through the jungle sing The Lion Sleeps Tonight, the warthog slipping away as a bright blue bug—a dung beetle—catches his eye.
Pumbaa and Timon mourn the blossoming romance between Simba and his childhood friend, Nala
He stalks it in preparation to eat it, but ends up getting chased himself by a lioness hiding in the grasses. Pumbaa's rather speedy escape is halted when he gets stuck under the roots of a tree, but Simba leaps to his rescue. He loses the fight, but reveals the lioness as Nala, his childhood friend and introduces her to his two new friends.
Pumbaa, seeming to forget she was trying to eat him, is pleased to make her acquaintance, but Timon is not so forgiving. Simba tells him to relax, but Nala interjects before it can go any further.
Pumbaa and Timon perform the hula together in order to distract a group of hyenas
The two talk about Kings and successions, and in this conversation, Pumbaa learns Simba is the Pride Land King. He grovels at Simba paws, but Timon laughingly tells him to stop, remarking Simba is not the king, then asking Simba if he really is.
Simba denies this, much to Nala's disappointment, and the two lions request Timon and Pumbaa excuse them for a moment. They do but reluctantly, and presumably at Timon's suggestion, they continue to spy on the two lions from inside the Oasis' dense vegetation. Pumbaa and Timon mourn the loss of their friend to this lioness and after watching the two fight when their attempts to break the couple up are failed (as revealed in 1 1/2) Timon and Pumbaa settle down for a nap. Nala disturbs their slumber looking for Simba, Rafiki appearing and telling the three "The King has returned."
Pumbaa watches Simba ascend Pride Rock
Pumbaa's last appearances are just before, during, and after the battle at pride rock. Pumbaa and Timon vow to fight with Simba till the end, efficiently distracting and mowing down hyenas as Simba battles Scar. During the battle, Pumbaa rescues Timon and Zazu from Shenzi and Banzai, charging into the hyenas after Banzai calls Pumbaa a pig. When Scar is defeated and Mufasa is avenged, Pumbaa, Timon, and the rest of the pride look on as Simba takes his rightful place as king. Pumbaa's very last appearance is on the peak of Pride Rock alongside Simba and Nala, during the presentation of their newborn cub.
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride
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Pumbaa and Timon daydream about future activities with Simba's cub, whom they are unaware is a girl
After Kiara is presented to the animals at Pride Rock, Pumbaa faints along Timon when Rafiki corrects them by telling them that Kiara is a girl, not a boy. Months pass and Kiara becomes a young, adventurous cub like her father. When Kiara runs off to play, Simba instructs him and Timon to look after her so she doesn't run off to the Outlands. They sneak up from behind Kiara while on a rock, and she and Pumbaa with Timon scream in panic until Kiara falls into a pond. Pumbaa dives in after her and Timon tells him that he is "babysitting" on her. Eventually, she runs off when he and Timon debate over the type of bugs they like. Pumbaa is seen again when Zira encounters Simba and they leave after the confrontation.
Simba instructs Pumbaa and Timon to follow his daughter, Kiara, on her first hunt
When Kiara matures into a young adult, Simba again instructs him and Timon to make sure she doesn't get hurt. They stalk Kiara in a James Bond-esque style until she notices when antelopes run over them. She questions their presence, and Timon responds by telling her that he is shopping for various items for the den. Kiara realizes he's lying, and runs away again. The two go after her again, but they lose her.
The next morning, when Kovu is teaching Kiara how to hunt, Kovu accidentally runs into Timon. Timon, frightened, thinks he is going to eat him. But when Kiara appears, Pumbaa asks Timon about getting Kovu to scare off the birds from their feeding grounds, but Timon comes up with the same idea moments later, enlisting the lions for their help. It soon turns into a chase until they run into a herd of rhinoceroses.
Pumbaa and Timon charge a group of Outsiders during the battle of Simba's and Zira's prides
When Simba is injured from the ambush by Zira and the Outsiders, Pumbaa, Timon, Kiara, and Zazu find and assist him back to Pride Rock. Pumbaa, along with Timon, witnesses Simba confront and banish Kovu from the Pride Lands. Soon after that, Pumbaa and Timon engage in another argument when they discover that Kiara isn't in the den. When Simba arrives, they tell him that Kiara ran away again.
Quickly, Zazu warns Simba that Zira and the Outsiders are approaching the Pride Lands to fight. Immediately, Pumbaa stands alongside Simba and the Pride Landers and mock Zira. During the battle, some Outsider lionesses surround Timon and Pumbaa, which causes Timon to comically use Pumbaa's tail as a shotgun that results in scaring them off. Finally, after the battle is over, he looks alongside Timon and Zazu at Kovu and Kiara's wedding on top of Pride Rock.
The Lion King 1½
Timon and Pumbaa argue
| “ | Timon: Forget it, Pumbaa. I've been dragging you down long enough. I'm goin' home...and I suggest you do the same. Pumbaa: Oh, I—I would if I could, but I can't. Timon: Oh, sure you can, buddy. I won't stop you. Pumbaa: No, I mean...I don't have a home. Timon: You don't? What happened? Are you lost? No place good enough for ya? What, you're all alone in this big empty world? Oh...truth is...I'm all alone, too. Pumbaa, you're the only friend I've ever had.
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The film begins with Timon and Pumbaa in a movie theater, watching the original film. Both of them appreciate the majesty that is "Circle of Life", but Timon isn't willing to let the movie run its course. He fast-forwards the movie to when they first appear. Timon and Pumbaa argue for a moment, Pumbaa not wanting the audience to become confused and Timon complaining that they aren't in the first half. Finally, they agree to show the viewers about their backstories.
Timon "hires" Pumbaa
Pumbaa makes his first appearance a few days after Timon sets out to go to the big pointy rock at the indirect suggestion of Rafiki. While the meerkat walks through some high grass, he hears something groaning and stalking him. Thinking it's a predator, he flees, but it is merely Pumbaa, who seeks companionship. Timon is briefly against taking another animal with him, but he gives Pumbaa a once-over, taking in his sharp hooves and curved tusks, pleased by the fact that most animals will give him a pretty wide berth.
Pumbaa isn't talking about these "weapons" but his flatulence problem. Despite this, Timon "hires" Pumbaa to take him to the big pointy rock. The warthog suggest they are friends, but Timon clarifies that they are only acquaintances for now.
Pumbaa watches the pyramid of animals
They head toward Pride Rock with high hopes, hopes that are squashed when they see a crowd gathered around it. Timon opts to "look beyond what he sees" (advice that Rafiki gave him before), thinking that his dream home will be in Pride Rock, but he is disappointed when he sees how many animals are there. Pumbaa offers to look behind the Pride Rock, and Timon accepts this idea as his, much to Pumbaa's shock.
As the two try to cross through the crowd, Pumbaa, nervous from the various looks of the crowd, tries to get out of the crowd but accidentally farts when Timon pulls his tail, causing the animals around him to pass out from the smell. The other animals ahead believe that they are bowing, leading everyone to bow before Simba. Pumbaa thinks that his gas will be a problem to Timon, but the meerkat is very happy to have someone with powerful gas as a weapon.
Timon calls Pumbaa to live with him near a small water spring and cave. There, Pumbaa makes a large nest for himself and a little nest for Timon. Timon casually takes Pumbaa's bed. However, the tolerant warthog peacefully goes to sleep in a small bed. He wishes Timon a good night, and the two fall asleep. The duo live there from the time Simba is an infant until the time he is a mischievous and boisterous cub. It's Simba's antics that drive them away. The stack of animals organized during
"Shall we run for our lives?"
"I Just Can't Wait to be King" is aggravated and unbalanced by Timon. The animals fall over, Pumbaa pulling Timon out of harms way as the tower falls. The two continue to search for their dream home. Along the way, Pumbaa tells Timon a story about a beautiful jungle that he once saw which could be exactly what Timon is looking for, but Timon says that such a place is just a fantasy and that he would continue to look for "beyond what he sees." Pumbaa reminds him that he will never know when he finds what he's looking for, but Timon still does not listen.
The Elephant Graveyard is one of their choices for a home. Timon remarks that it has "good bones," but Pumbaa is apprehensive about its atmosphere. Eventually, the sight of various predators (Mufasa rushing to save the cubs and Scar singing "Be Prepared") drives the two to press on.
Pumbaa offers Timon a platter of bugs
The last place they look is the gorge, where Pumbaa again is not thinking that it makes an appropriate home. Timon persists, saying that what it lacks in water and shade, it makes up for in searing heat and blinding sunshine. Mid-conversation, the ground begins to rumble, and a herd of stampeding wildebeests appear from around the corner. The two animals watch the oncoming herd before Pumbaa asks, "Shall we run for are lives?" The two then try to outrun the stampede, only to get caught up in it and vaulted into a stream leading to a gigantic waterfall. Timon inquires Pumbaa if it's possible to fall of the edge of the earth, and the warthog answers no. It is at this moment that the current carries them over the edge, and they plummet toward the bottom. Suddenly, in the theater, Pumbaa stops the movie and brings in big bags of bugs, like popcorn, but he sees that Timon is picking his nose and has left saliva on the chair. They continue watching the film as Timon and Pumbaa in the film fall into the river.
Come nightfall, the river brings them to a beach. Pumbaa helps Timon out of the river, but then sees that Timon is holding a flower on his stomach, like he is dying. Timon is finally broken and gives up his quest, but Pumbaa says that he cannot give up until they find their dream home. Timon decides to return home and suggests Pumbaa do the same, but the warthog sadly says that he can't because he has not home. Timon asks,
Pumbaa saves Simba
"What's the matter? Are you lost? No place good enough for ya?" Pumbaa shakes his head. Timon asks if he is "alone in this big empty world," to which Pumbaa just positively turns to face Timon with huge dewy eyes. Timon then says that he is all alone, too and that they two are friends now, much to Pumbaa's joy. The two gaze at each other, sniffling. Timon's reflection appears in Pumbaa's eyes as the music swells. Suddenly, the movie pauses and switches back to the theater seats, where Timon is hunched over and sobbing. Pumbaa asks Timon if he is crying and gives him a hanky, in which Timon blows his nose. He tries to hand the hanky back, but Pumbaa is disgusted sarcastically says thanks. The movie continues, and Timon and Pumbaa from the film fall asleep.
It is at this moment that Pumbaa notices the jungle. The two friends indulge in their new home, enjoying the fun and the food until they stumble across Simba's body whilst playing "bowling for buzzards."
Timon and Pumbaa reunite to help Simba and Nala
Both friends become adopted parents to Simba, Pumbaa doing a much more effective job at raising the exiled prince. They teach and raise him with the philosophy of "Hakuna Matata" until Nala arrives and wins Simba's heart despite Timon and Pumbaa's efforts to stop her. After all their plans end in pain, they give up. Simba and Nala soon argue and break up, however, and Timon is elated by this, though Pumbaa doesn't see them separating as a good thing.
When awakened by Nala the next morning, Timon and Pumbaa are told that Simba needs their help in order to defeat Scar. Thinking that Simba has run out on him, Timon decides to stay behind, which causes him to break his friendship with Pumbaa, who wants to help. Pumbaa goes alone, leaving Timon behind until Timon finds him in a desert, and he restores his friendship with Pumbaa. After the two beat off the hungry hyenas at Pride Rock,
Pumbaa with Ma, Timon, and Uncle Max after the battle
Pumbaa meets Ma and Uncle Max and devises a plan to keep the hyenas away from Simba. After mocking the hyenas, Timon and Pumbaa try several tactics to keep the hyenas busy so Ma and Uncle Max can finish their tunnel.
Eventually, they defeat the hyenas, thus helping Simba to reclaim his rightful place as king. After the movie ends, Pumbaa wants to see the movie again, but Timon refuses until several Disney characters come along to see the movie. Timon then surrenders, but Pumbaa warns Timon that he still doesn't do so well in crowds.
The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar
When Pumbaa's adopted son Bunga is offered a job on the Lion Guard, Pumbaa is at first hesitant, but he is soon won over and congratulates his adopted son on the role.
Other roles
The stage musical
Pumbaa retains his role in the film, though he does appear in an extra scene in which Simba saves Timon from a river of crocodiles.
Literature
The Lion King: Six New Adventures
A Tale of Two Brothers
Pumbaa is mentioned when Rafiki tells a story about Mufasa and Scar. It is recounted that he and Timon had rescued Simba and taken him in to live with them in a faraway jungle.
A Snake in the Grass
At the start of the book, Kopa is upset with his friend, Afua, who has found a new playmate in a cheetah cub named Beba. Timon and Pumbaa decide to teach the cub a lesson about friendship by telling him their own story. When Simba was still living with them in the jungle, a giant python named Joka tried to split the friends apart through lies and deceit in order to get Timon alone. His idea worked, and the three friends split up. Simba, however, soon figured out that it was a trap, and when Joka attacked Timon, his friends came to the rescue. After winning the fight, Simba threw Joka down a ravine, and the python was never seen or heard from again. After hearing the story, Kopa admits that maybe he was wrong about Afua and decides to forgive his friend.
Follow the Leader
Timon and Pumbaa appear briefly, bothering an exhausted Simba.
A Little Help From a Friend
Before leaving his daughter Kiara, Simba instructs Kiara to stay near Pride Rock with Timon and Pumbaa beside her at all times. Disappointed, Kiara begins to plot a way to get away from her babysitters so she can go to the western canyon herself. With a devious plot forming in her head, the young cub leads Timon and Pumbaa away from the shelter of Pride Rock.
As the trio make their way through the forest, Timon and Pumbaa begin to search the foliage for grubs, completely forgetting about their duty to oversee Kiara. Taking advantage of the situation, the small cub sneaks away and runs into her childhood friend, Kovu. As the cubs are playing, Kiara hears Pumbaa cry out for help. The two friends immediately race to the source of the voice and find that Timon is hanging unconscious from a vine in a tree. Quickly, the two formulate a plan. While Kovu climbs up the tree and frees Timon, Kiara clambers onto Pumbaa's back and catches the meerkat as he falls. After laying Timon gently in Pumbaa's tusks, Kiara bids her friend farewell, as they both agree that he would not be welcome in the Pride Lands.
On the way back to Pride Rock, Timon revives and thanks Kiara for saving his life. The three friends then agree not to tell anyone about their encounter with Kovu but to merely mention him as a friend.
The Hakuna Matata Magazine Series
All Mud and Motor Mouth
This story depicts how Timon and Pumbaa first came to meet.
Video games
Kingdom Hearts II
Pumbaa appears in Kingdom Hearts II as a resident of the Pride Lands, with a similar role to that of the film.
He was nearly eaten by Nala like in the film and was captured by Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed, though Sora saved him. He and Timon taught Sora, Donald and Goofy about "Hakuna Matata", which means "no worries". He was nervous at the climatic battle against Scar since he was afraid of being eaten by hyenas and the like. Later after Simba reclaimed his kingship, Pumbaa advised Simba to forget his past and showed courage when he protected Nala from Scar's ghost, despite his fear.
Epic Mickey
In the game, Pumbaa is one of the many iconic Disney characters kidnapped by the evil witch Mizrabel in a plot to dominate the Cartoon World. He's imprisoned in Mizrabel' Castle of Illusion and separated from Timon during this time. Mickey Mouse seeks out Pumbaa after rescuing Simba, who requests the safe return of his friends.
Operation Pridelands
After Scar's defeat, Timon and Pumbaa are tasked by Simba to bring the animals of the Pride Lands back to his kingdom.
TV series
The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa
In the television series, Pumbaa and his friend Timon serve as the main protagonists and are shown to travel a lot and have many adventures. These adventures are usually due to the fact that Pumbaa always wants to do the right thing all the time. Pumbaa again proves to be the brains of the duo but Timon (like in the movies) thinks that he is. In the show, it's also shown that Pumbaa is very popular among the jungle and usually gains the chance to live the glamorous life but gives it up for his best friend Timon.
Pumbaa in "The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa"
One episode reveals that Pumbaa's last name is "Smith." This was likely meant as a joke due to how incredibly common Smith is as a surname. Pumbaa was also a member of a group of warthogs, but by the time he was fully grown, he was banished because of his smell, which was apparently appalling even by warthog standards. Also, years before the episode "Madagascar About You", an arranged marriage has been set up for Pumbaa before he was even born.
In the television series, Pumbaa has an uncle whose name is Boaris. Apparently, Boaris is really good at ballet, but then, because of Timon, he falls on fish eggs and goes to the hospital with Pumbaa dancing the ballet. Pumbaa, however, breaks his leg, and Uncle Boaris comes to dance. Pumbaa is also revealed to have a deceased uncle named Ernie, who is likely named after his voice actor.
The Lion Guard
"The Rise of Makuu"
When Ono attempts to get Timon and Pumbaa to help wash away Bunga's stink, the two stick up for him, justifying his smell. The four sing "Don't Make a Stink". After the song, Timon and Pumbaa lap up the bugs that land on Bunga's head.
"Bunga the Wise"
After Bunga mistakenly thinks that Rafiki has called him the smartest animal in the Pride Lands, he goes off to tell his adopted uncles, Timon and Pumbaa, who immediately set him up to be a sage.
Timon and Pumbaa speak with the Lion Guard
When the Lion Guard arrives at Hakuna Matata Falls, they see animals lined up to meet Bunga. Bunga and his adopted uncles, Timon and Pumbaa, sing "Bunga the Wise" with the gathered animals about Bunga's wisdom, much to the Lion Guard's dismay. He then doles out bad advice to the lined up animals.
Seeing the disaster for what it is, Kion attempts to talk Bunga out of his idiocy, but the honey badger refuses to rejoin the Lion Guard. Timon ushers the friends out of Bunga's lair, and the Lion Guard reluctantly leaves.
Later, the Lion Guard sees Bunga at the head of a parade, celebrating his great wisdom. Kion runs up and once again attempts to make Bunga see reason, but the honey badger points out that everyone loves his advice. Timon adds that Bunga had fixed the dam, but just then, the dam breaks and the animals are forced to flee across the plains. Though Timon and Pumbaa call to their adopted son, urging him to flee, Bunga takes off after his friends.
"The Kupatana Celebration"
Pumbaa appears briefly at the Kupatana celebration.
"Fuli's New Family"
When Bunga is bitten by the venomous Ushari, Timon and Pumbaa rush to Rafiki's tree, where they proceed to weep over their adopted son. However, much to their delight, Bunga is proclaimed immune to snake bites, and they invite Fuli to join in the celebrations. At Hakuna Matata Falls, they attempt to serve her bugs, but she politely declines. Unwilling to let her go, Timon begins to make conversation with her and discovers, to his delight, that her fur is incredibly soft. Pumbaa soon joins in on feeling her fur, and an uncomfortable Fuli leaves the celebration.
"The Search for Utamu"
Timon and Pumbaa sing "Utamu"
While the Lion Guard searches for Utamu grubs, Bunga tells his friends about the day he'd met his uncles, Timon and Pumbaa. Long ago, when he'd just been a young honey badger, he'd encountered Timon and Pumbaa singing "Utamu". Instantly smitten, Bunga had begun following them around until Timon had instructed him to climb a tree and fetch them some Utamu grubs. When Bunga had succeeded and given the grubs to Timon, the meerkat had allowed him to stay, and the three have lived together ever since.
When Bunga fails to catch any Utamu, the Lion Guard travels to Hakuna Matata Falls, where Bunga admits to his uncles that he's failed this year. Timon gently reminds the honey badger that they celebrate not because of the Utamu, but because of their relationship with Bunga. They then reveal that Utamu grubs had fallen out of the sky, and the group shares in a feast of grubs.
"Bunga and the King"
When Bunga and Simba get trapped in a sinkhole, Timon and Pumbaa are brought to the caverns in order to help find them. However, the two break down into sobs until they are reunited with their lost sons, who greet them joyously upon being reunited. At the end of the episode, Timon and Pumbaa sing "Hakuna Matata" with the rest of their friends.
"The Imaginary Okapi"
Timon and Pumbaa are briefly seen bathing in a water hole during "You're Gonna Love It Right Here".
"The Trouble With Galagos"
While the galagos are waiting for the Lion Guard at Hakuna Matata Falls, they are frightened away by Pumbaa's flatulence.
"Beware the Zimwi"
When a group of young animals claims to have seen the Zimwi, Pumbaa informs them that Timon is the only animal in the Pride Lands to have survived an encounter with the beast. Though Pumbaa claims that Timon has seen the Zimwi, Timon explains that his mother's cousin's friend knows an ox who was eaten by the Zimwi. Kion questions how the ox could have told anyone about the Zimwi if he had been eaten, and Pumbaa looks to Timon for the answer. At the end of Timon's tale, the Lion Guard resolves to find the Zimwi, and Pumbaa sobs over his adoptive son Bunga's bravery.
"Never Roar Again"
Pumbaa is mentioned during "Stand Up, Stand Out", in which Bunga comments that Pumbaa has always stood out for his gas problem.
"Rafiki's New Neighbors"
Pumbaa and Timon relax at Hakuna Matata Falls before they are interrupted by Chama, Mzaha and Furaha.
"The Ukumbusho Tradition"
Pumbaa helps direct the Lion Guard in practicing their lines for the Ukumbusho Tradition
In Mizimu Grove, Ma Tembo the elephant directs her herd in preparing for the Ukumbusho Tradition.
Under Ma Tembo's direction, the Lion Guard begins practicing their lines. Just then, Timon and Pumbaa arrive to help the Lion Guard with their lines. However, before they can start, Ma Tembo points out that the Lion Guard is traditionally composed of lions only, which prompts Makini to suggest that she paint each Lion Guard member to resemble a lion. Makini dresses up the Lion Guard to resemble lions, then takes off to paint the elephants.
Pumbaa watches the Ukumbusho Tradition
With Makini gone, Timon and Pumbaa attempt to direct the Lion Guard on their lines, claiming that they know best how lions act, since they raised Simba. Kion tries to pitch in his opinion, but Timon silences him, and the duo continue to guide the Lion Guard in their practice.
Presently, Timon becomes frustrated with the Lion Guard for being unable to speak their lines while holding the symbolic Branch of Peace in their mouths. Timon suggests throwing the branch away, but Kion protests that it is essential for the ceremony.
Later, Pumbaa watches Ukumbusho alongside Timon.
House of Mouse
In House of Mouse, Pumbaa makes numerous appearances as one of the recurring guests. A running gag in the show is when Timon attempts to eat Jiminy Cricket but is stopped by Pumbaa. In "Timon and Pumbaa" (a House of Mouse episode), Pumbaa becomes best friends with Donald Duck after an argument with Timon. Pumbaa wants to do comedy for their performance onstage, but Timon wants to do magic. In the end, they are reunited after Timon takes up for him after it is proven that he isn't a very good comedian.
Pumbaa used by Pete in "House of Mouse"
Pumbaa is also kidnapped by Pete in a plan to stink up the House of Mouse with his fart-gas, but he is rescued by Donald in the end. In "The Three Caballeros," Pumbaa is the only guest to know the third member of the Caballeros as Donald Duck. In "House of Scrooge," Timon grows tired of Scrooge McDuck's cheap entertainment (His Number One Dime) but Pumbaa wants to stay because it is shiny.
In one episode, Pumbaa and Timon audition for the part of the Genie from Aladdin. In "Not So Goofy," Pumbaa wants to hear Goofy do his signature holler. Unfortunately for Pumbaa, Goofy is acting sophisticated for the night and doffs the mantle.
In the film Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse, Pumbaa informs Timon what a "humbug" is after hearing Donald being called such. Timon believed it was a meal.
Wild About Safety
Pumbaa and Timon star in a series of educational shorts, following several guidelines to a safety and healthy life. Much like the television series, Pumbaa acts as the secret brain of the duo, often providing far more information that Timon does. At the end of every episode, Pumbaa suggests (or sometimes beg) that the duo perform a musical
Pumbaa in "Wild About Safety"
number, reflecting all that they've learned in the adventure. Unlike previous appearances, Pumbaa notices Timon's selfishness, laziness, and insults a lot more often and is shown to be easily annoyed by it, though Timon would make up a way to forgive and forget. Pumbaa also takes a more serious tone in the shorts as apposed to other roles. However, he manages to maintain his childlike persona in some episodes most notably in the health episode and at the end when he insists on a musical number.
It's a Small World
Pumbaa, along with Timon, make a brief, non-speaking cameo in the animated mini-series, It's a Small World: The Animated Series, in the episode One Golden Sun.
Disney parks
Pumbaa in the park
Pumbaa is a semi-common character in the Disney parks. He is usually seen only in parades and some shows, but almost never appears as a walk-around character, with the exception of Disney On Ice and the Disney Cruise Line show Disney Dreams!. Pumbaa was also one of the characters that had a lot named for him at the Disneyland parking lot until the remains of the Lion King section of the lot were closed for Disney California Adventure expansion space. Both Pumbaa and Timon are mascots for the Animal Kingdom theme park in Walt Disney World. They are also characters for Park Safety. Pumbaa has his own spell card in the attraction Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom known as "Pumbaa's Ordures Gas".
Festival of the Lion King
In the Festival of The Lion King Pumbaa appears along with Simba and Timon. Unlike Timon, Pumbaa stays on his float like Simba. During the musical number "Hakuna Matata" both Pumbaa and Timon sing.
It's a Small World
Pumbaa makes a cameo appearance in the attraction It's a Small World along with Simba and Timon.
Fantasmic!
In the live nighttime spectacular Fantasmic!, a clip of Pumbaa appears in the bubble montage along with Simba, Nala, Timon and Zazu.
He's also appeared in Fantasmic! at Tokyo Disney Sea in the jungle scene with Simba, Baloo, and King Louie.
Environmental Fable
Pumbaa in a Disney park
At Epcot, Pumbaa and Timon are planning to build a resort that will involve the destruction of the jungle in which they inhabitant. Luckily, Simba enlightens Pumbaa and Timon on how dangerous it is to destroy the environment and how important it is to take care of it.
Wishes
On the Disney Fantasy cruise ship, Pumbaa and Timon appear as the first Disney characters the three high school graduates; Brandon and Nicole and their best bud, Kayla, meet whilst on their journey. The duo also perform "Hakuna Matata".
Appearance
| “ | Pumbaa: You really think I look fat? Timon: Oh, Pumbaa, Pumbaa, Pumbaa. You're a pig. It's a compliment!
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Like most warthogs, Pumbaa is broad and portly with a large head, a round middle, and skinny legs. His tusks are white, and his hooves are black, with his nose colored a pale pink. His main shade is red, though his stomach is darker, colored a deep brown. His mane and tail tip are both black in color, while his eyes are small and dark.
Personality and traits
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Due to his friendly, loyal, and protective personality, Pumbaa is generally regarded as a very likable character. However, he displays childlike naivety, which is sometimes confused for stupidity. He does, in fact, come up with some intelligent plans and insightful ideas, which Timon rapidly claims as his own.
Pumbaa is also kind and caring, as shown when he, unlike Timon, takes pity on Simba and is quick to offer his assistance to the young cub. In the sequel, he jumps into a rather shallow body of water to save a supposedly drowning Kiara and offers assistance to a badly injured Simba, carrying him all the way back to Pride Rock after an unexpected ambush by the Outsiders. In addition, Pumbaa generally appears to be polite. Notwithstanding, he expects respect from his enemies, which is indicated when he attacks Banzai after he is addressed as a "pig."
Voice actors
- The Lion King - (1994) - (film) - Ernie Sabella
- The Lion King II: Simba's Pride - (1998) - (film) - Ernie Sabella
- The Lion King 1½ - (2004) - (film) - Ernie Sabella
- The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa - (1995-1999) - (TV series) - Ernie Sabella
- The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar - (2015) - (film) - Ernie Sabella
- The Lion Guard - (2016–) - (TV series) - Ernie Sabella
- The Lion King (2019 film) - (2019) - (film) - Seth Rogen
Trivia
General
One of Pumbaa's numerous cameo appearances
- In the Timon & Pumbaa episode "Home is Where the Hog Is," it is revealed that Pumbaa's last name is Smith.
- During the song "Out There," in Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, two men are seen carrying a dead warthog that resembles Pumbaa.
- Pumbaa is the first Disney character to experience flatulence.
- According to the story All Mud and Motor Mouth, Pumbaa once lived with his parents, brother, and sister.
- Pumbaa has various love interests: Growler's Mother, Pika, and Sharla.
- Timon and Pumbaa make a brief cameo in the film Leroy and Stitch.
- In the Aladdin and the King of Thieves, during Aladdin and Jasmine's wedding ceremony, the Genie briefly morphed into Pumbaa, quoting the famous "Hakuna Matata!" line to ease Aladdin's nerves.
- Pumbaa's dialogue with Banzai ("Are you talking to me?!) is reference to popular scene from the film Taxi driver. Too, his next line, "They call me Mister. Pig", is a reference to Virgil Tibbs line "They call me Mister Tibbs".
Concept of Pumbaa during "Hakuna Matata"
- Pumbaa has been known to dislike being in big crowds, possibly suggesting claustrophobia.
- In one of the Disney parody trailers promoting Lilo & Stitch and spoofing The Lion King, during the iconic "Circle of Life" scene, Rafiki holds up what's meant to be baby Simba, but it's instead Stitch, which Timon announces in confusion whilst sitting atop Pumbaa.
- Pumbaa makes a brief cameo in an episode of 101 Dalmatians: The Series, being seen amongst the other farm animals.
Timon and Pumbaa in Leroy and Stitch.
- Timon and Pumbaa appear in the background during a scene in Leroy & Stitch.
- In Enchanted, Pip accidentally transforms himself momentarily into Pumbaa in the DVD extra "Pip's Predicament: A Pop-Up Adventure". In addition, a warthog resembling Pumbaa can be seen at the end of the film with a bunch of animals who are in line to have their books signed by Pip.
In development
- Pumbaa's original name was Harold.
Young Pumbaa concept art
- In the earlier versions of The Lion King, Pumbaa/Harold and Timon grew up with Simba, Nala, Bhati, Tesma, and Iggy instead of rescuing the cub.
- There was an idea for Pumbaa and Timon to sing the complete "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," but it was too grotesque.[1]
- One of Pumbaa’s defining characteristics was the way he rubbed his belly. The inspiration for the tick: animator Tony Bancroft’s then-pregnant wife, who would often rub her own protruding belly. Bancroft thought that the action would make Pumbaa more “human and relatable.”[2]
Quotes
| “ | Timon: (Watches Simba walk past) He looks blue. Pumbaa: I'd say brownish gold. Timon: No no, I mean he's depressed. Pumbaa: Oh!
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| “ | Pumbaa: Oooh, don't worry, Kiara-- Uncle Pumbaa's comin'! Timon: Oh, no... ohh... uh... uh... let's see, uh... (he goes in-character as though talking to Simba) Gee, Simba. The good news is, we found your daughter. The bad news is, we dropped a warthog on her. Is there a problem with that? Pumbaa: Kiara? Kiara? Timon: Pumbaa! Let me define "babysitting!" (Gets up and finds Kiara beneath) "Sorry.
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| “ | Timon: When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. That's our motto! Pumbaa: I thought our motto was Hakuna Matata! Timon: Oh Pumbaa, stop living in the past!
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Gallery
 The Lion King Wiki has a collection of images and media related to Pumbaa. |
Video
References
Template:Appearances
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Template:Lion King
| Characters from The Lion King II: Simba's Pride | |
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Kiara • Kovu • Simba • Zira • Timon • Pumbaa • Rafiki • Nala • Zazu • Nuka • Vitani | |
Template:Hakuna Matata Template:Return of the Roar