01 / Characters · 06 of 06
King Julien
The self-crowned king of the lemurs, who likes to move it.
2005 to 2014
02 / Character file
- Full name
- King Julien XIII
- Nationality
- Madagascar, and the fictional Lemur Kingdom
- Occupation
- King of the lemurs
- Partner
- Sonya
- Species
- Ring-tailed lemur
- Special move
- Move it, move it
- Family
- Prince Barty (father), Princess Julienne (mother), King Julien XII (maternal uncle), King Julien XI (maternal grandfather)
03 / The character
King Julien is a ring-tailed lemur who has crowned himself king, adores parties, dancing and himself, and cannot understand why everyone else does not feel the same way. Sacha Baron Cohen voiced him in all four DreamWorks feature films, with an accent he invented on the spot in the recording session.
04 / History
King Julien is the one character with no hidden camera and no target. He is pure performance: a tiny lemur with the ego of an emperor, a party to run and a song to sing. The role was written small and became a franchise favourite, largely on the strength of the voice.
Sacha Baron Cohen played him in the four DreamWorks feature films. The television series All Hail King Julien used a different voice actor, Danny Jacobs.
His court is small. Maurice, the aye-aye, is royal advisor and best friend; Mort, the mouse lemur, is the other best friend, and worships the royal feet. Sonya is his partner.
05 / Key works
- 2005MadagascarDreamWorks Animation. Home of the song I Like to Move It.
- 2008Madagascar: Escape 2 AfricaDreamWorks Animation.
- 2012Madagascar 3: Europe's Most WantedDreamWorks Animation.
- 2014Penguins of MadagascarDreamWorks Animation.
06 / The reel
Watch King Julien
Clip, 2005, DreamWorks Madagascar
I Like to Move It, the best of King Julien
DreamWorks' official Madagascar channel clip of King Julien's party scene.
Trailer, 2014, Universal Kids
Penguins of Madagascar official trailer
Official trailer; King Julien is a minor presence in the spin-off.
Trailer, 2014, DreamWorks Madagascar
Penguins of Madagascar official trailer 2 (DreamWorks Madagascar)
Alternative upload on DreamWorks' own Madagascar channel.
Trailer, 2012, Universal Kids
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted official trailer
Official trailer 2 for the 2012 film.
Clip, 2012, Universal Kids
Afro Circus remix, Madagascar 3
King Julien's Afro Circus number.
Trailer, 2008, Universal Kids
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa official trailer
Official trailer for the 2008 sequel.
Trailer, 2005, Universal Kids
Madagascar official trailer
Universal Kids is NBCUniversal's family channel, DreamWorks Animation's parent company.
Official clips play here. Others open in a new tab.