~ Baloo hollering at Professor Torque that he is not defunct before punching him in the face in a fit of rage.
Baloo is the deuteragonist of the 1967 film The Jungle Book and its sequel, The Jungle Book 2, the main protagonist of the spin-off animated series TaleSpin and one of the main characters of the prequel series Jungle Cubs.
He was voiced by the late Phil Harris in The Jungle Book, who also voiced Thomas O'Malley in The Aristocats and Little John in Robin Hood. He was voiced by John Goodman in The Jungle Book 2, who also voiced Hound in the Transformers Cinematic Universe franchise, Pacha in The Emperor's New Groove, Kronk's New Groove and the second season of The Emperor's New School and Sulley in Monsters Inc. and Monsters University.
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 judicious old bear who teaches Mowgli the law of the jungle, Disney's Baloo is jolly, fun-loving, slothful and laid-back. He loves to dance and play games. He dislikes becoming displeased and having to be firm. 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 firm when he has to be, but doesn't enjoy acting in such way. Baloo is very protective of Mowgli and was ready to battle the jungle's most feared resident, Shere Khan, to keep him safe.
Biography
The Jungle Book
Baloo is first seen eating and taking a stroll in the jungle when all of a sudden, he sees the strangest thing. Baloo takes a closer look at this "thing" and the boy disrespectfully slaps him in the nose. He tells Baloo to go away, eventually starting to punch and kick, although Baloo cannot even feel it. He does the boy a favor and begins teaching him how to fight. Eventually, the boy and Baloo become friends, and the boy's name is revealed to be Mowgli. Bagheera, who is watching Mowgli, is ready to take him back to the Man Village. Baloo offers Mowgli the opportunity to stay with him, which he accepts gladly, but Bagheera does not. Baloo then begins to teach Mowgli about "The Bare Necessities". Baloo teaches Mowgli about eating ants and relaxing. He tells him to never work hard and to not waste time looking around for something he may want but cannot be found.
During a nice swim down the river, Mowgli is kidnapped by monkeys. Baloo tries to fight them off to save his "bear cub", but they tease him and escape, taking Mowgli with them. Baloo shouts for Bagheera. The two know exactly who is accountable for this, and they head off. The plan was from none other than King Louie, king of all primates. Louie desires the power of Man, and wants to create Man's "Red Flower". He asks Mowgli, who he tries to convince by singing "I Wanna Be Like You". Mowgli claims he doesn’t know, but Louie declines to believe. Baloo and Bagheera devise a plan; while Baloo distracts the monkeys, Bagheera will rescue Mowgli. Baloo dresses as a female orangutan and dances with Louie. They are discovered after Baloo's costume falls apart, and a chase begins. The ruins begin to collapse just as Baloo, Bagheera and Mowgli make their exit, leaving Louie at his destroyed kingdom.
That night, Baloo and the others rest. Bagheera takes the time to explain why Baloo cannot adopt Mowgli as his son. Baloo is reluctant to listen until the mention of Shere Khan, the tiger who seeks to kill Mowgli only because he is a human. Baloo sadly agrees to take Mowgli, knowing it will save his life. In the morning, Baloo and Mowgli begin to travel to the village, although Mowgli does not know where they are going. Baloo tries to break the news gently but becomes angry when Mowgli speaks ill of Bagheera. Mowgli then runs away heartbroken and bitter, and Baloo and Bagheera separate to find him. Baloo then regrets at what he done and he never forgives himself if something happened to Mowgli.
Baloo searches in the wasteland home of the vultures, and just in time, as Shere Khan and Mowgli are about to battle. Baloo grabs Khan's tail, holding him back a bit. The tiger spins in circles with Baloo holding on until they wrap around a tree where Shere Khan faces Baloo's behind and, in a fit of anger, takes a massive bite into Baloo's butt, causing him to yelp loudly in pain. Soon, Shere Khan starts clawing him to death. Mowgli scares Khan away with fire, and when all seems well, darkness falls on Mowgli as Baloo lies unconscious and presumed dead. Just as Bagheera and Mowgli depart, Baloo awakens, revealing he is alive and reunites with Mowgli. During their trip back into the jungle, Mowgli becomes enchanted by a beautiful girl from the Man Village and follows the pretty maiden to the village. Baloo, initially imploring Mowgli to come back to him, eventually lets him go, and he and Bagheera return to the jungle, singing "The Bare Necessities" together.
Vocals
Trivia/Navigation
Mel Gibson, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Martin, Jim Belushi, Chevy Chase, John Heard, James Corden, Jeff Bridges and Dave Foley (The Jungle Book 2)
After escaping from King Louie and his apes and their place collapsed, as Baloo says "Man, that's what I call a swingin' party!" The jungle background behind him first fades out to black, then he, Bagheera and Mowgli (offscreen who are both looking on) fades out.
Heroes
