Baloo (Disney)

Baloo is a popular Disney character and the deuteragonist from the 1967 film The Jungle Book and its sequel, one of the main characters in the prequel TV series Jungle Cubs and the main protagonist of the series TaleSpin. He is a sloth Bear and best friends with Mowgli. Even though he's not the main character of the film, Baloo has become the most popular Disney character from The Jungle Book. He was voiced by Phil Harris, Ed Gilbert (until their deaths), Steven Curtis Chapman, by John Goodman in The Jungle Book 2 and currently by Joel McCrary.

Personality
The Disney version of Baloo is very different from the book character on which he's based. In contrast to the book, where Baloo is a wise old bear who teaches Mowgli the law of the jungle, Disney's Baloo is jolly, fun-loving, lazy and laid back. He loves to dance and play games. He hates becoming upset and having to be strict. He also enjoys being around Mowgli. Baloo thinks of Mowgli as his son just as Mowgli thinks of Baloo as his father. Baloo can be strict when he has to be, but doesn't enjoy acting in such way. Baloo is very protective of Mowgli and was willing to battle the jungle's most feared resident, Shere Khan, to keep him safe.