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This artist had a role in a few Disney films. He wrote music for the original animated version of The Lion King. He also had a cameo alongside some of Disney’s favorite bear characters — the country bears. 

Elton John and Leon Russell on ABC's 'Good Morning America'
Elton John and Leon Russell on ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’ | Ida Mae Astute/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

Elton John had a cameo in Disney’s ‘The Country Bears’

Several theme park rides inspired Disney films. Fans still anticipate the release of The Jungle Cruise, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt, while several movies debuted inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Magic Kingdom. The Haunted Mansion appeared in a movie starring Eddie Murphy. 

However, there’s only one band called the Country Bears. This live-action film told the story of a disbanded group that needed to save their old concert hall. They do this with the help of a superfan, named Beary.

Along their journey, the group runs into a few celebrities. That includes Elton John, who they mistake for a gardener at Ted Bedderhead’s house. Turns out, it was Elton John’s mansion and Ted was just living there. After getting together, the band saves Country Bear Hall, playing songs like “Straight to the Heart of Love” alongside Beary. 

Celebrities like The Eagles’ Don Henley and Queen Latifah appeared in ‘The Country Bears’

The Country Bears, released in 2002, featured a few other well-known musicians and actors. Queen Latifah starred as one of Zeb Zoober’s friends/a restaurant owner nicknamed Cha-Cha. Christopher Walken appeared as the bitter banker named Reed Thimple.

After listening to Trixie and Tennesse perform in a bar, one patron comments that they’re better than the Eagles. The actor was Don Henley, one of the founding members of the Eagles, who sang the voice of Tennesse. Bonnie Raitt voiced Trixie. 

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This wouldn’t be the first time that the Grammy award-winning artist worked with Walt Disney Studios. In 1994, he wrote “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Be Prepared,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” for the animated film, The Lion King. 

He returned to work on the music for the stage production of the musical and the photo-real adaptation, released in 2019, although he didn’t have a large role in that production. 

“Music was so much a part of the original and the music in the current film didn’t have the same impact,” John said, according to Inside the Magic. “The magic and joy were lost. The soundtrack hasn’t had nearly the same impact in the charts that it had 25 years ago when it was the bestselling album of the year.”

Disney’s original movie, The Country Bears, is available on their streaming platform. To learn more about Disney+ and to subscribe, visit their website. 

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