jesse Tyler Ferguson wasn’t fazed when Nathan Lane told an adult joke to his 5-year-old son,beckett. During a recent dinner with Lane and Pamela Adlon, Ferguson prepped his sons, Beckett and Sullivan, 3, by playing “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King, knowing lane voiced Timon. Beckett promptly recognized Lane, excitedly calling him “Athan” and identifying him as the voice of Timon.
lane, seemingly uncomfortable with the enthusiastic recognition, reacted like “a fan” being approached in the street, according to Ferguson. Later, when Beckett asked Lane to guess what he was hiding, Lane responded with “Hepatitis.”
Ferguson appreciated LaneS authenticity, noting Lane has openly admitted he doesn’t particularly relate to children and seizes opportunities for jokes. Lane’s iconic role as Timon has cemented his status as Disney royalty for younger generations. He starred alongside Ernie Sabella,who voiced Pumba,in all three original Lion King films.
Interestingly, a now-famous scene where Timon distracts hyenas by dressing in drag and doing the hula was born from Lane’s improvisation during a recording session. He recalled saying, “What do you want me to do, dress in drag and do the hula?” – a line that ultimately became a song.
Lane also revealed he was passed over for a role in Space Jam due to homophobia, with a director believing he was ”too gay” to play the part, ultimately going to Wayne Knight.Lane expressed relief at missing out on the film.
