Jonathan Freeman is one of those rare actors who is 100%Â committed to the part that made him famous. He originated the role of the villainous adviser Jafar in the animated Disney classic Aladdin way back in 1992, and has since reprised the role every time the character has appeared. That means he’s played Jafar in the straight-to-VHS Aladdin 2: The Return of Jafar, both the Hercules and House of Mouse animated series, and all the Kingdom Hearts video games. And now, nearly twenty-five years since the original film hit theaters, Jonathan Freeman is playing Jafar once again, this time live on stage in the hit Broadway version of Aladdin.
Freeman’s commitment to the part of Jafar is actually kind of refreshing, seeing how show business is filled with actors like Daniel Craig, who recently said that he’d rather slash his wrists than have to play James Bond again. (Note to Mr. Craig; Bond is the reason you’re mega rich and why anybody knows who you are. I’m just sayin’.)
Of course, Jafar is but one in a long line of awesome and memorable Disney villains. Recently, Freeman performed a special “Villains Medley” for the Disney Sessions, which is a series of music videos made by the Oh My Disney YouTube account. This particular session was filmed just blocks away from Times Square in New York City, where Aladdin is currently running. Included in the medley are snippets of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from the The Little Mermaid‘s sea witch Ursula, “Cruella de Vil” from 101 Dalmatians, and even Oogie Boogie’s theme song from The Nightmare Before Christmas. You can watch the whole Villains Medley in the video above.
Do you have a favorite Disney villain song? Let us know in the comments below!
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HT: Oh My Disney
IMAGE: Walt Disney Studios