List of Balto characters
Encyclopedia
This is a list of characters from the movie Balto
and its sequels.
-grey fur, with a lighter underbelly. While mostly looking like her father she shares some similarities to her mother.
(though she eventually learns to accept it). Although she never realized it, Aleu acted more like a wolf than a dog; she had a reputation
for being aggressive and had a high prey drive
and stronger predatory instincts than a common dog. It is unknown how she developed her prey drive, as neither Balto nor Jenna possessed a prey drive.
Despite a very emotional blow at the hands of her father, the two reconcile at the end of her journey, and she remains very closely tied to Balto despite leaving him perhaps forever. In most peoples hopes of Universal Studios is that they will make another movie about her returning home. She also has a friendship tied to Muk and Luk as well as her mother and family. She has a good vocabulary and enjoys correcting folks grammar when ever she has the chance.
After a nearly costly encounter with a local Inuit Hunter, Balto was forced to reveal to his daughter that she bore the physical appearances and characteristics of a wolf. Even more so then Balto himself. This caused Aleu a great deal of distress and emotional turmoil. She chose to run far from Nome, her father naturally giving chase alone despite Jenna's wishes. Aleu would eventually come into contact with a wolf pack led by Nava, which also included the extremely vicious wolf Niju.
Balto did manage to catch his daughter, but she refused to return to the life offered with her family at Nome. Through a series of spiritual events, Balto, Nava, and eventually Aleu herself come to realize with the aid of her spirit guide Maru, that she is destined to lead the pack towards a better future. At the end of the events in Wolf Quest
, she bids her father a very emotional farewell, informing him to deliver her best love to Jenna. She then disappears with a confident howl across the Bering Sea
. Her future and whereabouts are now unknown. It is unknown if she already has a mate (alpha male) in her clan. She has a strange supernatural power that allows her to have visions of the past or future, as well as read minds. This is shown by her eyes lighting up a bright yellow.
, where he has a job as a local mail-dog. Kodi also had a cameo in Wolf Quest
as one of the puppies that is adopted. His name may be in reference to the Kodiak Islands, off the coast of Alaska. Unlike Aleu, he and all of the other pups have no knowledge of their wolf ancestry.
He has a strong drive and passion for sled racing and wishes to push himself to the limits due to events in his childhood, where he was physically the weakest of the entire litter (obviously the runt of the litter). Shares a strong bond with his father due again to his childhood experiences and is extremely proud to be his son.
Sometime between the events of Wolf Quest and Wings of Change
, or even before, Kodi attained a very high interest in the local mail team, specifically in becoming lead dog. Most likely due to his father's past with sled dog racing. Sometime during that period he attained a position on the mail team and displayed superb skills with his job.
During the events of Wings of Change, Kodi displayed a wide variety of traits that showed how easily swayed he was by his friends. Such as valuing their position on the team and overall welfare over that of a human being's life. This trait colliding roughly with both his parents. Later on his true personality revealed itself when he chose to pursue and aid his father in rescuing the pilot Duke, over the initial wishes of his comrades. Kodi's future remains unknown, but it can be said that he continues with his mail duties and remains close to his parents in Nome.
Star would make the infamous "They should build a statue of him!" comment at the conclusion of the film, which Kaltag agreed with instead of smacking him on the head. It is unknown what has become of the trio after the events in Balto, for there is no mention or appearance of them in either Wolf Quest or Wings of Change (although there are brief appearances of Nikki and Kaltag in "Wings of Change": during the E.D.A.S where Kaltag barks from a window and Nikki barks from the far right corner of the street next to JOHN'S BAR). Kaltag is still golden, but Star is brown in the preview of the movie.
They were voiced respectively by Jack Angel
(Nikki), Danny Mann
(Kaltag), and Robbie Rist
(Star).
.
After discussing the future with Balto, Nava informed him that he would find the also stranded Niju. Stating that they were still a pack and that they needed each other. The two bid a fond farewell, Nava disappearing into the wilderness. His current whereabouts are unknown. He has a supernatural power that allows him to fuse with the elements.
He was voiced by the late David Carradine
.
. Stella was migrating when she met Boris. Boris instantly fell in love with her, but he was unwilling to reveal to her his fear of heights. She later heard him talking to Balto about how he lied to her. Enraged, she forced Boris into Duke's plane. Duke's plane, later, crashed with Boris in it. Stella, along Balto and Muk and Luk, set out to find Boris. Stella later confronted Boris about why he lied to her, and he admitted his fear of heights and they reconcile with a moonlight swim.
She was voiced by the popular actress Jean Smart
.
as friends and fellow mail team members to Balto and Jenna's son Kodiak. Kirby appears to be the oldest of the group being in his early 30s (he's younger than Star), Ralph being late 20s, and Dusty the youngest being in her early 20s. All three are highly committed and proud of their jobs, a trait that plays a heavy impact upon Kodi throughout the course of the film.
Kirby is the cocky member of the trio and the lead dog on the sled team. He also insists that, as the lead dog, they need to defeat Duke and his bush plane in the race, but is easily passed up in favor of Balto. Ralph is the husky and more laid back of the trio, usually serving as the blunt of pranks yet voice of quiet reason and complaints (like Fagerbakke's other character from SpongeBob SquarePants
, Patrick Star). Dusty is the only female in this group. She is apparently very close to Kodi. This has led some fans to suggest that Dusty might potentially become a love interest for Kodi.
All three dogs eventually supported Kodi's decision to help the human Duke, despite the fact he threatened to take their jobs away. They proceeded to aid Kodi and Balto in Duke's rescue. It is unknown what has become of them after Wings of Change, but it can be assumed they all continue to run alongside Kodi on the mail team.
They are voiced respectively by Charity James, Carl Weathers
, and Bill Fagerbakke
.
Once returned to Nome, Duke decided to build another plane, and in honor of the canine who saved his life, he named it the "Balto Flyer". His final gift to Balto was the thrill of a flight high above the Alaskan landscape, something Balto truly wanted to experience.
He was voiced by veteran actor Keith Carradine
.
, along with the rest of the children in the town of Nome. Rosy was cured after Balto arrived with the medicine. She was possibly the only human being in the town to have accepted Balto; the rest, including Rosy's own parents, hated and feared him, and just after Balto returned the hat, Rosy's father pulled her away from him and told her that he was part wolf.
70 years later, Rosy was a grandmother and told her granddaughter about the story of Balto. She was voiced by Juliette Brewer as child, and played by Miriam Margolyes
as an adult. Rosy was mentioned several times during Wolf Quest
, but was an off-screen character. Rosy had a cameo during the opening credits in Wings of Change
.
It can be said that they continue to allow the previously untrustworthy Balto into their lives and home; seeing as how he fathered a litter of puppies with the family's prized husky Jenna.
Her father was voiced by William Roberts (III) and her mother was voiced by Sandra Dickinson.
She makes no appearance in Wings of Change
.
She was voiced by Monnae Michaell.
, and performs the song, "Who Are You". At the end of Wolf Quest, he is seen sitting next to Aleu, and howling alongside her, forever ready to guide her in future endeavors.
He was voiced by actor Peter MacNicol
.
. Dixie is a Pomeranian
and Sylvie is an Afghan Hound
. Both appear to be good friends of Jenna and both also having a crush on Steele. They and the other dogs soon discovered Steele's true nature and turned their backs on him. In Wings of Change, Sylvie makes a cameo in the ally way with several other dogs.
Dixie and Sylvie are both voiced by Sandra Dickinson
.
. Mel is a paranoid Airdale Terrier while Dipsy is an obese and carefree Basset Hound
. Much like the original gossipers, both appear to be friends with Jenna. Mel and Dipsy are voiced by David Paymer
and Kathy Najimy
.
.
who appears in Balto: Wolf Quest who tells Balto that Jenna gave birth to some puppies. The Terrier is hyper-active and barks continuously which Boris gets annoyed by. He later appears during the E.D.A.S scene in Wings of Change. He is voiced by Rob Paulsen
.
who served as the primary antagonist in Balto
. He was voiced by Jim Cummings
.
.
Steele became the leader of the sled team to return the medicine to Nome
, managing to lead the team successfully to Nenana
and halfway back to Nome before becoming mentally disoriented during a blizzard. Balto discovered the mentally deranged Steele and his team at the edge of a large ravine. Despite Balto's pleas for Steele to let him help them back to Nome (knowing that the children would die if the medicine does not get there in time), Steele attacks Balto, making obvious his intentions to kill him. Balto refused to fight back, but still managed to trick Steele into tumbling off the nearby cliff in his unstable mindset when Steele grabbed for the orange bandana around Balto's neck that Jenna gave to Balto. Having demonstrated his good nature and noble intention to bring the serum back to Nome at all costs, Balto gains the unconditional support of the other dogs on the team. They pick up the trail and head back without Steele.
Despite his state, Steele managed to follow Balto's trail back to Nome, along the way marking all of the trees to disorient him. On his return to Nome he claimed that Balto and the rest of the team had frozen to death and that Balto had fallen off of a cliff, and also stating that Balto made Steele promise to take care of Jenna. Jenna realizes that Balto would have never told Steele such a thing and tells all the other dogs who believe Steele's story that he's lying. Steele's strategy initially managed to catch Balto off his guard, resulting in him becoming disoriented and lost as well. Despite this, Balto manages to believe in who he truly is, catches on to Steele's trick, and follows the trail he himself had marked (using only his smell) back to Nome. Balto's return results in him being accepted as a beloved hero and the undoing of Steele's lies cause the other dogs of Nome to consider Steele as an outcast, leaving him behind alone in the boiler room at the climax of the movie. This is a complete reversal of their roles in the beginning of the movie where Steele was the town's most popular dog and Balto was the hated outcast.
It is unknown what became of Steele after the events in Balto
, for he is never seen or mentioned in the sequels Wolf Quest
or Wings of Change
. However Phil Weinstein explained that in the original script for Wings of Change, Steele would be one of the volunteers who would help Balto on his search for Duke.
.
Niju was voiced by veteran voice actor Mark Hamill
.
".
Nuk, who while is the largest, is also the least intelligent member, personally claiming he'd rather just eat than use his brain. Yak seems to be the most intelligent, but seems to have an increasing difficulty with fleas. Sumac appears to be the smallest and most skittish individual, as well as laughing frequently.
Nuk, Yak, and Sumac refused to continue forth with Niju's evil plan when they finally realized the truth of the situation around them. The three aided Aleu in her return to the ice flow, resulting in her takeover of the pack's future. They disappeared across the ocean with Aleu and the rest of the wolves.
Nuk, Yak, and Sumac were voiced by Joe Alaskey
, Jeff Bennett, and Rob Paulsen
respectively.
during the wolf-dog's journey to find the missing relay anti-toxin team. The bear appeared to be stalking the group consisting of Balto, Boris, and Muk and Luk for several moments before Balto finally caught scent of the danger. A fierce confrontation erupted between the crazed giant and Balto.
Although small and more agile, the wolf-dog was unable to avoid the behemoth; becoming trapped and nearly crushed beneath its paw. Had it not been for the swift arrival of Jenna, Balto would have easily been killed. Still relentless, the Grizzly injured Jenna and managed to engage Balto once more. Having learned a strategy, Balto lured the heavy creature onto the frozen ice; managing to dispose of the giant in the icy depths of the lake at nearly the cost of his own life.
, Balto, along with Muk and Luk, descend deep into the territory of the very dangerous and crazed Moose. Despite warnings from Muk and Luk, Balto insisted that they press on in order to rescue the downed bush pilot Duke, as well as Boris. The group encounters one very unintelligent, yet formidable Bull Moose, and only upon the arrival of yet another territorial Moose do they manage to escape from the obsessed duo. The bull moose served as the replacement for the original crazed grizzly bear that appeared in the previous two films.
Both Moose take on a very Italian like personality in heavy reference to the mob genre ("You talkin' to me?"). They are both voiced by experienced voice actor Maurice LaMarche
.
Balto (film)
Balto is a 1995 American animated comedy-drama film directed by Simon Wells and produced by Amblimation, and the first of the overall trilogy. The film is based on a true story about the dog of the same name who helped save children from the diphtheria epidemic in the 1925 serum run to Nome...
and its sequels.
Balto
Balto is part wolf/part husky and the titular protagonist of all three films. He got separated from his mother when he was young and was found and raised by Boris, the Russian snow goose.Jenna
Aleu, is a wolf-dog hybrid and the daughter of Balto and Jenna. Aleu appeared in Wolf Quest (where she is the real protagonist) and made a second appearance as a puppy during Balto's flashback in the song "You Don't Have To Be A Hero" during Wings of Change. Her name might come from the Aleutian Islands, off the coast of Alaska.Appearance
Aleu has sandySandy
Sandy may refer to:* Characteristic of sand* Sandy , including a list of people with the name* Sandy brown, a shade of brown- Places :* Sandy, Bedfordshire, England* Sandy, Carmarthenshire, Wales* Sandy, Oregon, United States...
-grey fur, with a lighter underbelly. While mostly looking like her father she shares some similarities to her mother.
Personality
She is very stubborn and brave, prone to not listening to her father. She was also disdainful of her wolf bloodBlood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
(though she eventually learns to accept it). Although she never realized it, Aleu acted more like a wolf than a dog; she had a reputation
Reputation
Reputation of a social entity is an opinion about that entity, typically a result of social evaluation on a set of criteria...
for being aggressive and had a high prey drive
Prey drive
Prey drive is the instinctive inclination of a carnivore to pursue and capture prey.In dog training, prey drive can be used as an advantage because dogs with strong prey drive are also willing to pursue moving objects such as toys, which can then be used to encourage certain kinds of behavior, such...
and stronger predatory instincts than a common dog. It is unknown how she developed her prey drive, as neither Balto nor Jenna possessed a prey drive.
Despite a very emotional blow at the hands of her father, the two reconcile at the end of her journey, and she remains very closely tied to Balto despite leaving him perhaps forever. In most peoples hopes of Universal Studios is that they will make another movie about her returning home. She also has a friendship tied to Muk and Luk as well as her mother and family. She has a good vocabulary and enjoys correcting folks grammar when ever she has the chance.
Biography
Aleu was born to Balto and Jenna within the same litter as her brother Kodiak. She is believed to be the youngest in the litter, but might actually be the oldest. She bore great resemblance to a wolf more so than her siblings, and also acted more like a wolf unlike her more canine siblings. As a result, she was never adopted. Aleu spent a year with Balto and Jenna, one day believing that a human would adopt her for who she was.and she has a brother named Tinko as well.After a nearly costly encounter with a local Inuit Hunter, Balto was forced to reveal to his daughter that she bore the physical appearances and characteristics of a wolf. Even more so then Balto himself. This caused Aleu a great deal of distress and emotional turmoil. She chose to run far from Nome, her father naturally giving chase alone despite Jenna's wishes. Aleu would eventually come into contact with a wolf pack led by Nava, which also included the extremely vicious wolf Niju.
Balto did manage to catch his daughter, but she refused to return to the life offered with her family at Nome. Through a series of spiritual events, Balto, Nava, and eventually Aleu herself come to realize with the aid of her spirit guide Maru, that she is destined to lead the pack towards a better future. At the end of the events in Wolf Quest
Balto II: Wolf Quest
Balto II: Wolf Quest is a 2002 straight-to-DVD fictional sequel to Universal Studios' 1995 animated film Balto.-Plot:Balto and his mate Jenna have a new family of six puppies...
, she bids her father a very emotional farewell, informing him to deliver her best love to Jenna. She then disappears with a confident howl across the Bering Sea
Bering Sea
The Bering Sea is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises a deep water basin, which then rises through a narrow slope into the shallower water above the continental shelves....
. Her future and whereabouts are now unknown. It is unknown if she already has a mate (alpha male) in her clan. She has a strange supernatural power that allows her to have visions of the past or future, as well as read minds. This is shown by her eyes lighting up a bright yellow.
Kodi
Kodiak (Kodi) is the son of Balto, and plays a major part in Balto III: Wings of ChangeBalto III: Wings of Change
Balto III: Wings of Change is a 2004 straight-to-video sequel to Universal Studios' 2002 animated film Balto II: Wolf Quest.-Plot:Balto's son Kodi works for the US Mail. Kodi loves his job and his new friends, - Dusty , Kirby and Ralph...
, where he has a job as a local mail-dog. Kodi also had a cameo in Wolf Quest
Balto II: Wolf Quest
Balto II: Wolf Quest is a 2002 straight-to-DVD fictional sequel to Universal Studios' 1995 animated film Balto.-Plot:Balto and his mate Jenna have a new family of six puppies...
as one of the puppies that is adopted. His name may be in reference to the Kodiak Islands, off the coast of Alaska. Unlike Aleu, he and all of the other pups have no knowledge of their wolf ancestry.
Appearance
Unlike his sister, Kodi mainly takes after his mother. His fur is rusty red with a sandy underbelly. He has a white stripe that goes from between his eyes to the tip of his nose.Personality
Kodi has appeared to display a similar personality to Balto. Kodi has a strong sense of duty and responsibility, but also has his faults (such as allowing Balto to attempt a rescue mission into the Alaskan frontier alone for the sake of keeping his job). He remains fiercely loyal to his friends. Going to such heights such as forsaking his family's wishes to keep them content. He is also laid-back and cool-headed.He has a strong drive and passion for sled racing and wishes to push himself to the limits due to events in his childhood, where he was physically the weakest of the entire litter (obviously the runt of the litter). Shares a strong bond with his father due again to his childhood experiences and is extremely proud to be his son.
Biography
Kodiak was born to Balto and Jenna within the same litter as his sister's Aleu and Saba. It is unknown where he resides in the order of age but many fans consider him to be the youngest of the group although he is the oldest due to his larger size and mature voice.He is as younger than ralph and kirby but is still older than dusty. As a pup, Kodi was always ready to engage in activities with his brothers and sisters, but found himself unable to keep up with running activities. Although this left Kodi dismayed, never believing himself capable, this allowed him to build a closer relationship with his father Balto, who would run with his son constantly until the day he would finally outrun him.Sometime between the events of Wolf Quest and Wings of Change
Balto III: Wings of Change
Balto III: Wings of Change is a 2004 straight-to-video sequel to Universal Studios' 2002 animated film Balto II: Wolf Quest.-Plot:Balto's son Kodi works for the US Mail. Kodi loves his job and his new friends, - Dusty , Kirby and Ralph...
, or even before, Kodi attained a very high interest in the local mail team, specifically in becoming lead dog. Most likely due to his father's past with sled dog racing. Sometime during that period he attained a position on the mail team and displayed superb skills with his job.
During the events of Wings of Change, Kodi displayed a wide variety of traits that showed how easily swayed he was by his friends. Such as valuing their position on the team and overall welfare over that of a human being's life. This trait colliding roughly with both his parents. Later on his true personality revealed itself when he chose to pursue and aid his father in rescuing the pilot Duke, over the initial wishes of his comrades. Kodi's future remains unknown, but it can be said that he continues with his mail duties and remains close to his parents in Nome.
Nikki, Kaltag, & Star
Nikki, Kaltag, and Star aided Balto in the run for the serum. Nikki is the oldest of the three being in his late 30s, Kaltag is in his mid 30s, and Star is in his early 30s (he's older than kirby). The three were made very famous by their constant rags about Steele and other characters behind their backs (mainly between Nikki and Kaltag). Star joins in with a very random and straight to the point reply, resulting in a hit to the head by Kaltag, though once he saw it was coming and hit himself instead. Later on during the events of the relay, Balto would gain the trust and admiration of all three when he successfully leads them across the dangerous Alaskan wilderness and also by retrieving the medicine from the bottom of a deep ravine.Star would make the infamous "They should build a statue of him!" comment at the conclusion of the film, which Kaltag agreed with instead of smacking him on the head. It is unknown what has become of the trio after the events in Balto, for there is no mention or appearance of them in either Wolf Quest or Wings of Change (although there are brief appearances of Nikki and Kaltag in "Wings of Change": during the E.D.A.S where Kaltag barks from a window and Nikki barks from the far right corner of the street next to JOHN'S BAR). Kaltag is still golden, but Star is brown in the preview of the movie.
They were voiced respectively by Jack Angel
Jack Angel
Jack Angel is an American voice actor, who has worked on many children's television series, movies and video games.-Life and career:Angel was born in Modesto, California...
(Nikki), Danny Mann
Danny Mann
Daniel "Danny" Mann is an American voice actor, writer, singer, musician, and production manager. He is best known for his voice of Hector from Heathcliff and the Catillac Cats, Freeway, Cloudraker and Lightspeed in Transformers, Backwoods Beagle in DuckTales, Kaltag in Balto, Ferdinand from Babe,...
(Kaltag), and Robbie Rist
Robbie Rist
Robert Anthony Rist is an American actor and musician.-Acting and voiceover work:As a child, Rist played Cousin Oliver in the final six episodes of The Brady Bunch. With the regular children all getting older, his inclusion was intended to reintroduce cute younger children to the series...
(Star).
Nava
Nava is an elderly wolf who was the wise leader of the wolf pack encountered by Balto and Aleu in Wolf QuestBalto II: Wolf Quest
Balto II: Wolf Quest is a 2002 straight-to-DVD fictional sequel to Universal Studios' 1995 animated film Balto.-Plot:Balto and his mate Jenna have a new family of six puppies...
.
Physical Appearance
Being very old among his pack (Around 9–11 years possibly), Nava's fur was a very dull Grey with his underbelly being pure white. Nava was also fairly larger than some of the others of his pack. He does not appear to bear any permanent markings.Personality
Nava was firm with his beliefs in the spiritual ways and laws of the pack, his more peaceful views coming into conflict with those of the younger and more militant wolf known as Niju. Nava also was shown to willingly hear everyone's opinion on something, including Niju's. He was instrumental in showing Aleu what she truly wanted in life, and discovered that it was she, not Balto, who was meant to lead the pack onwards.Biography
Nava first appeared as the shaman and Leader of a Wolf Pack. He tells his pack as well as Balto and Aleu that one day soon, they will be led by a new leader, "the one who is wolf but does not know."During the climax of the film, Nava was attacked by Niju and shoved into the ice cold waters beneath the ice. Although rescued by Balto and Aleu, he chose to remain behind on the Alaskan mainland with Balto; giving control of the pack's future and well being to Aleu.After discussing the future with Balto, Nava informed him that he would find the also stranded Niju. Stating that they were still a pack and that they needed each other. The two bid a fond farewell, Nava disappearing into the wilderness. His current whereabouts are unknown. He has a supernatural power that allows him to fuse with the elements.
He was voiced by the late David Carradine
David Carradine
David Carradine was an American actor and martial artist, best known for his role as a warrior monk, Kwai Chang Caine, in the 1970s television series, Kung Fu, which later had a 1990s sequel series, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues...
.
Stella
A female snow goose that Boris has a crush on in Wings of ChangeBalto III: Wings of Change
Balto III: Wings of Change is a 2004 straight-to-video sequel to Universal Studios' 2002 animated film Balto II: Wolf Quest.-Plot:Balto's son Kodi works for the US Mail. Kodi loves his job and his new friends, - Dusty , Kirby and Ralph...
. Stella was migrating when she met Boris. Boris instantly fell in love with her, but he was unwilling to reveal to her his fear of heights. She later heard him talking to Balto about how he lied to her. Enraged, she forced Boris into Duke's plane. Duke's plane, later, crashed with Boris in it. Stella, along Balto and Muk and Luk, set out to find Boris. Stella later confronted Boris about why he lied to her, and he admitted his fear of heights and they reconcile with a moonlight swim.
She was voiced by the popular actress Jean Smart
Jean Smart
Jean E. Smart is an American film, television, and stage actress. She is known for her comedic roles, one of the best known being her role as Charlene Frazier Stillfield on the CBS sitcom Designing Women. She later gained critical acclaim for dramatic work, with her portrayal of Martha Logan on 24...
.
Dusty, Kirby, & Ralph
Three huskies who reside in the Alaskan town of Nome and serve as the traditional threesome that was evident in the two previous installments. All three dogs play a backup role in the third film Balto III: Wings of ChangeBalto III: Wings of Change
Balto III: Wings of Change is a 2004 straight-to-video sequel to Universal Studios' 2002 animated film Balto II: Wolf Quest.-Plot:Balto's son Kodi works for the US Mail. Kodi loves his job and his new friends, - Dusty , Kirby and Ralph...
as friends and fellow mail team members to Balto and Jenna's son Kodiak. Kirby appears to be the oldest of the group being in his early 30s (he's younger than Star), Ralph being late 20s, and Dusty the youngest being in her early 20s. All three are highly committed and proud of their jobs, a trait that plays a heavy impact upon Kodi throughout the course of the film.
Kirby is the cocky member of the trio and the lead dog on the sled team. He also insists that, as the lead dog, they need to defeat Duke and his bush plane in the race, but is easily passed up in favor of Balto. Ralph is the husky and more laid back of the trio, usually serving as the blunt of pranks yet voice of quiet reason and complaints (like Fagerbakke's other character from SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centers on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of "Bikini Bottom"...
, Patrick Star). Dusty is the only female in this group. She is apparently very close to Kodi. This has led some fans to suggest that Dusty might potentially become a love interest for Kodi.
All three dogs eventually supported Kodi's decision to help the human Duke, despite the fact he threatened to take their jobs away. They proceeded to aid Kodi and Balto in Duke's rescue. It is unknown what has become of them after Wings of Change, but it can be assumed they all continue to run alongside Kodi on the mail team.
They are voiced respectively by Charity James, Carl Weathers
Carl Weathers
Carl Weathers is an American actor, as well as former professional football player in the United States and Canada. He is best known for playing Apollo Creed in the Rocky series of films...
, and Bill Fagerbakke
Bill Fagerbakke
William Mark "Bill" Fagerbakke is an American actor and voice actor. He is well-known for his long-running-roles as Patrick Star in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants and "Dauber" Dybinski on the sitcom Coach....
.
Duke
Duke was pilot who appeared in Balto III: Wings of Change. Although friendly and very kind towards Balto and his friends, he pushed for a race between himself and the local mail team; as to determine which could carry the mail quicker. Although Duke had the advantage at the midway point of the race, a build up of ice on his plane's wings caused him to crash land deep in the Alaskan wilderness. Unknown to him, Boris had mistakenly boarded the plan after a run-in with Stella. He was injured in the crash, but was discovered by Balto who proceeded to return him to Nome. Without aid, Balto carried Duke as far as he was able, and nearly fell prey to the deep bowels of an ice canyon had it not been for the sudden arrival of his son Kodi and his fellow mail team dogs Dusty, Kirby, and Ralph.Once returned to Nome, Duke decided to build another plane, and in honor of the canine who saved his life, he named it the "Balto Flyer". His final gift to Balto was the thrill of a flight high above the Alaskan landscape, something Balto truly wanted to experience.
He was voiced by veteran actor Keith Carradine
Keith Carradine
Keith Ian Carradine is an American actor who has had success on stage, film and television. In addition, he is a Golden Globe and Oscar winning songwriter. As a member of the Carradine family, he is part of an acting "dynasty" that began with his father, John Carradine.-Early life:Keith...
.
Rosy
Rosy is an elderly lady and the previous owner of Jenna. In 1925, during a dog-sled race, Rosy's hat blew away into the racing track. Balto would retrieve the hat and return it to her; managing to show off in the process. Later, Rosy caught DiphtheriaDiphtheria
Diphtheria is an upper respiratory tract illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium. It is characterized by sore throat, low fever, and an adherent membrane on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity...
, along with the rest of the children in the town of Nome. Rosy was cured after Balto arrived with the medicine. She was possibly the only human being in the town to have accepted Balto; the rest, including Rosy's own parents, hated and feared him, and just after Balto returned the hat, Rosy's father pulled her away from him and told her that he was part wolf.
70 years later, Rosy was a grandmother and told her granddaughter about the story of Balto. She was voiced by Juliette Brewer as child, and played by Miriam Margolyes
Miriam Margolyes
Miriam Margolyes, OBE is an English actress and voice artist. Her earliest roles were in theatre and after several supporting roles in film and television she won a BAFTA Award for her role in The Age of Innocence .-Early life:...
as an adult. Rosy was mentioned several times during Wolf Quest
Balto II: Wolf Quest
Balto II: Wolf Quest is a 2002 straight-to-DVD fictional sequel to Universal Studios' 1995 animated film Balto.-Plot:Balto and his mate Jenna have a new family of six puppies...
, but was an off-screen character. Rosy had a cameo during the opening credits in Wings of Change
Balto III: Wings of Change
Balto III: Wings of Change is a 2004 straight-to-video sequel to Universal Studios' 2002 animated film Balto II: Wolf Quest.-Plot:Balto's son Kodi works for the US Mail. Kodi loves his job and his new friends, - Dusty , Kirby and Ralph...
.
Rosy's parents
Although Rosy liked Balto, her parents feared him. When Balto returned Rosy's hat, her father pulled her away from Balto and told her that Balto is part wolf and therefore unpredictable. However, at the end of the first movie, the whole town rejoices when Balto returns with the medicine, and the townspeople, including Rosy's parents, now see who he really is and lets him see Rosy after receiving her treatment.It can be said that they continue to allow the previously untrustworthy Balto into their lives and home; seeing as how he fathered a litter of puppies with the family's prized husky Jenna.
Her father was voiced by William Roberts (III) and her mother was voiced by Sandra Dickinson.
Aniu
Balto's apparently deceased mother. Balto was separated from Aniu at an early age and never saw her again. Aniu made an appearance in Wolf Quest, where she revealed herself as the black raven who had been guiding Balto the entire time in spirit and Balto when Balto fell off a cliff, trying to save the antitoxin. A topic of hot debate among Balto fans is that of the white wolf's appearance in the first Balto film; where she appeared to help him accept who he truly was. It is as of yet unknown if this wolf was meant to also be Balto's mother or simply a representative of the dormant heritage Balto continues to ignore up until that point of the film. Though it is finally revealed in Wolf Quest that she is indeed Balto's mother, himself calling her the latter.She makes no appearance in Wings of Change
Balto III: Wings of Change
Balto III: Wings of Change is a 2004 straight-to-video sequel to Universal Studios' 2002 animated film Balto II: Wolf Quest.-Plot:Balto's son Kodi works for the US Mail. Kodi loves his job and his new friends, - Dusty , Kirby and Ralph...
.
She was voiced by Monnae Michaell.
Muru
Muru is Aleu's spirit guide and the son of Kahu and Quillaq. He has the appearance of a mouse in the Wolf QuestBalto II: Wolf Quest
Balto II: Wolf Quest is a 2002 straight-to-DVD fictional sequel to Universal Studios' 1995 animated film Balto.-Plot:Balto and his mate Jenna have a new family of six puppies...
, and performs the song, "Who Are You". At the end of Wolf Quest, he is seen sitting next to Aleu, and howling alongside her, forever ready to guide her in future endeavors.
He was voiced by actor Peter MacNicol
Peter MacNicol
Peter MacNicol is an American actor. He may be best known in films for his roles of Janosz Poha in Ghostbusters II, Stingo in Sophie's Choice, Thomas Renfield in Dracula: Dead and Loving It and David Langley in Bean...
.
Dixie & Sylvie
Dixie and Sylvie are a pair of female dog gossipers in BaltoBalto (film)
Balto is a 1995 American animated comedy-drama film directed by Simon Wells and produced by Amblimation, and the first of the overall trilogy. The film is based on a true story about the dog of the same name who helped save children from the diphtheria epidemic in the 1925 serum run to Nome...
. Dixie is a Pomeranian
Pomeranian
Pomeranian is an adjective referring to Pomerania, an area divided between Poland and Germany.-Peoples and cultures:* Pomeranian Balts, ancient western Baltic people*Pomeranian culture, an Iron Age culture of earlier people in land later called Pomerania...
and Sylvie is an Afghan Hound
Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is one of the oldest sighthound dog breeds. Distinguished by its thick, fine, silky coat and its tail with a ring curl at the end, the breed acquired its unique features in the cold mountains of Afghanistan, where it was originally used to hunt hares and gazelles by coursing them....
. Both appear to be good friends of Jenna and both also having a crush on Steele. They and the other dogs soon discovered Steele's true nature and turned their backs on him. In Wings of Change, Sylvie makes a cameo in the ally way with several other dogs.
Dixie and Sylvie are both voiced by Sandra Dickinson
Sandra Dickinson
Sandra Dickinson is an American-British actress. She trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. She has often played a dumb blonde with a high-pitched voice in the UK – notably commencing in the St...
.
Mel & Dipsy
Mel and Dipsy are 2 dogs who replaced Dixie and Slyvie in Wings of ChangeBalto III: Wings of Change
Balto III: Wings of Change is a 2004 straight-to-video sequel to Universal Studios' 2002 animated film Balto II: Wolf Quest.-Plot:Balto's son Kodi works for the US Mail. Kodi loves his job and his new friends, - Dusty , Kirby and Ralph...
. Mel is a paranoid Airdale Terrier while Dipsy is an obese and carefree Basset Hound
Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is a short-legged breed of dog of the hound family. They are scent hounds, bred to hunt rabbits and hare by scent. Their sense of smell for tracking is second only to that of the Bloodhound....
. Much like the original gossipers, both appear to be friends with Jenna. Mel and Dipsy are voiced by David Paymer
David Paymer
David Paymer is an American actor and television director, seen in such films as Quiz Show, Searching for Bobby Fischer, City Slickers, Crazy People, State and Main, Payback, Get Shorty, Carpool, The American President, Ocean's Thirteen, and Drag Me to Hell...
and Kathy Najimy
Kathy Najimy
Kathy Ann Najimy is an American actress, most notable as Olive Massery on the television series Veronica's Closet, Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act and the voice of Peggy Hill on the animated television series King of the Hill. Prior to her film work, she was best known for two Off Broadway shows...
.
Doc
Doc is an old Saint Bernard who appears in the first film. He first appears while telling the other dogs of Nome that Steele and his team had missed their second checkpoint and had become lost. Later when the other dogs learned that Steele that lied to them about Balto and the team being frozen to death in the storm, he turned his back on him. Doc later appears in the third film during the E.D.A.S. He is voiced by Donald SindenDonald Sinden
Sir Donald Alfred Sinden CBE is an English actor of theatre, film and television.-Personal life:Sinden was born in Plymouth, Devon, England, on 9 October 1923. The son of Alfred Edward Sinden and his wife Mabel Agnes , he grew up in the Sussex village of Ditchling, where their home doubled as the...
.
Terrier
The Terrier is a Scottish TerrierScottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier , popularly called the Scottie, is a breed of dog. Initially one of the highland breeds of Terrier that were grouped under the name of Skye Terrier, it is one of five breeds of terrier that originated in Scotland, the other four being the modern Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and...
who appears in Balto: Wolf Quest who tells Balto that Jenna gave birth to some puppies. The Terrier is hyper-active and barks continuously which Boris gets annoyed by. He later appears during the E.D.A.S scene in Wings of Change. He is voiced by Rob Paulsen
Rob Paulsen
Robert Fredrick "Rob" Paulsen III , sometimes credited as Rob Paulson, is an American voice actor, best known as the voice behind Raphael from the 1987 cartoon of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Yakko Warner and Dr...
.
Steele
Steele is a handsome male Siberian HuskySiberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a medium-size, dense-coat working dog breed that originated in north-eastern Siberia. The breed belongs to the Spitz genetic family...
who served as the primary antagonist in Balto
Balto (film)
Balto is a 1995 American animated comedy-drama film directed by Simon Wells and produced by Amblimation, and the first of the overall trilogy. The film is based on a true story about the dog of the same name who helped save children from the diphtheria epidemic in the 1925 serum run to Nome...
. He was voiced by Jim Cummings
Jim Cummings
James Jonah "Jim" Cummings is an American voice actor who has appeared in almost 100 roles. He has appeared in classic animated movies such as Aladdin and The Lion King, as well as taking on roles in more current films, such as Bee Movie, Princess and the Frog, and Winnie the Pooh.-Personal...
.
Physical Traits & Appearance
Despite remarks by his musher and others that Steele might be "losing his edge" (after losing to Balto at the beginning of the film), Steele still has remarkable strength and speed close to that of Balto's. He was able to survive a fall down a cliffside, knocked down a dead tree, burned by a furnace (thanks to Jenna), and smashed through a closed door while pinning both Balto and Jenna. Steele is an image of physical perfectness among the local dogs. He is covered in jet black fur with a pure white underbelly and face. It is hinted that he is also a pure-bred, pedigree Siberian HuskySiberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a medium-size, dense-coat working dog breed that originated in north-eastern Siberia. The breed belongs to the Spitz genetic family...
.
Personality
Steele is arrogant, egotistical, cruel, ruthless and selfish, representing all of which Balto despises. His hatred for Balto is made out of pure jealousy (as Balto beat him to the finish line). He also likes Jenna, but she sees through his lies and loves Balto instead, which further strengthens Steele's hatred and jealousy towards Balto. He is also a crafty liar, claiming that Balto and the rest of the team had died, and at the end of the film the undoing of his lies causes him to be shunned and hated by those who used to respect him.Biography
Steele was the lead dog on the best dog racing team in Nome, he first encountered Balto (in the movie Steele's behavior towards Balto is an obvious indication that they have met on prior occasions) after being defeated by the latter in a race while rescuing Rosy's hat. Out of jealousy, Steele insulted and harassed Balto for being half-wolf. When the town became sick, there was a relay race to choose who would be on the sled dog team that would relay the medicine. Despite being deliberately kicked off the course by a competitor, Balto was the rightful winner of the race (by taking a special & longer route to catch up), but right after the race ended, Steele gets into another confrontation with Balto, after which Jenna scolds Steele for being a glory-hound. Shortly after that, Steele stomped on Balto's paw as a musher reached to pet him, forcing Balto to growl in pain and bare his teeth, making the humans believe that the wolf-dog to be aggressive and dangerous, especially with his teeth. This causes Balto to be disqualified from the race despite being the victor.Steele became the leader of the sled team to return the medicine to Nome
Nome, Alaska
Nome is a city in the Nome Census Area in the Unorganized Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska, located on the southern Seward Peninsula coast on Norton Sound of the Bering Sea. According to the 2010 Census, the city population was 3,598. Nome was incorporated on April 9, 1901, and was once the...
, managing to lead the team successfully to Nenana
Nenana, Alaska
Nenana is a Home Rule City in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area of the Unorganized Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska. Nenana lies at the juncture of the Nenana River and the Tanana River. The population was 402 at the 2000 census. "Nenana" means 'a good place to camp between two rivers.'-History...
and halfway back to Nome before becoming mentally disoriented during a blizzard. Balto discovered the mentally deranged Steele and his team at the edge of a large ravine. Despite Balto's pleas for Steele to let him help them back to Nome (knowing that the children would die if the medicine does not get there in time), Steele attacks Balto, making obvious his intentions to kill him. Balto refused to fight back, but still managed to trick Steele into tumbling off the nearby cliff in his unstable mindset when Steele grabbed for the orange bandana around Balto's neck that Jenna gave to Balto. Having demonstrated his good nature and noble intention to bring the serum back to Nome at all costs, Balto gains the unconditional support of the other dogs on the team. They pick up the trail and head back without Steele.
Despite his state, Steele managed to follow Balto's trail back to Nome, along the way marking all of the trees to disorient him. On his return to Nome he claimed that Balto and the rest of the team had frozen to death and that Balto had fallen off of a cliff, and also stating that Balto made Steele promise to take care of Jenna. Jenna realizes that Balto would have never told Steele such a thing and tells all the other dogs who believe Steele's story that he's lying. Steele's strategy initially managed to catch Balto off his guard, resulting in him becoming disoriented and lost as well. Despite this, Balto manages to believe in who he truly is, catches on to Steele's trick, and follows the trail he himself had marked (using only his smell) back to Nome. Balto's return results in him being accepted as a beloved hero and the undoing of Steele's lies cause the other dogs of Nome to consider Steele as an outcast, leaving him behind alone in the boiler room at the climax of the movie. This is a complete reversal of their roles in the beginning of the movie where Steele was the town's most popular dog and Balto was the hated outcast.
It is unknown what became of Steele after the events in Balto
Balto (film)
Balto is a 1995 American animated comedy-drama film directed by Simon Wells and produced by Amblimation, and the first of the overall trilogy. The film is based on a true story about the dog of the same name who helped save children from the diphtheria epidemic in the 1925 serum run to Nome...
, for he is never seen or mentioned in the sequels Wolf Quest
Balto II: Wolf Quest
Balto II: Wolf Quest is a 2002 straight-to-DVD fictional sequel to Universal Studios' 1995 animated film Balto.-Plot:Balto and his mate Jenna have a new family of six puppies...
or Wings of Change
Balto III: Wings of Change
Balto III: Wings of Change is a 2004 straight-to-video sequel to Universal Studios' 2002 animated film Balto II: Wolf Quest.-Plot:Balto's son Kodi works for the US Mail. Kodi loves his job and his new friends, - Dusty , Kirby and Ralph...
. However Phil Weinstein explained that in the original script for Wings of Change, Steele would be one of the volunteers who would help Balto on his search for Duke.
Niju
Niju was a young and vicious wolf who served as the antagonist in Balto II: Wolf QuestBalto II: Wolf Quest
Balto II: Wolf Quest is a 2002 straight-to-DVD fictional sequel to Universal Studios' 1995 animated film Balto.-Plot:Balto and his mate Jenna have a new family of six puppies...
.
Physical Traits & Appearance
Niju was impressively built, being the second largest (Nuk being larger due to his massive appetite) and almost certainly being the strongest member of the wolf pack which allowed him to intimidate and defeat other wolves, easily tackling and overpowering Aleu and throwing off Nava. His fur was darkish brown with a greyish blue underbelly. His only markings were dark patches around his eyes. In the film, his whiskers were purposely made more noticeable.Personality
Unlike the elderly leader Nava, Niju was a very militant and arrogant wolf, fully willing to break the rules of the land and steal for what he desired, though seemingly doing so because of the desire to live. He was also shown to suffer from a fear of change (cainotophobia) which probably caused his cruel actions as Nava claimed that Niju would willingly starve or die than leave his homeland. Though he acts as the antagonist of the film, he is not considered evil by fans since Niju was influenced by fear rather than greed, which Steele was driven by in the first film. Many fans also think that Niju may have suffered a traumatic life which led to his fear.Biography
Niju planned to take over the wolf pack with the aid of his followers, Nuk, Yak, and Sumac. Eventually the wolf pack started to turn towards Niju and started to follow him, but when the ice bridge that led to the caribou formed, the entire pack including Nuk, Yak, and Sumac turned back to Nava, Balto, Aleu. Niju also attempted to kill the pack leader Nava as well as Aleu, but his plans were foiled by Balto. When Niju was given the opportunity to lead the pack, his "fear Of change" got the better of him and he fled into the forest. Nava claimed to Balto after they were off the ice that he would go and find Niju and that "one would not be whole without the other."Niju was voiced by veteran voice actor Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill
Mark Richard Hamill is an American actor, voice artist, producer, director, and writer, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy of Star Wars. More recently, he has received acclaim for his voice work, in such roles as the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series, Firelord...
.
Nuk, Yak, & Sumac
Nuk, Yak, and Sumac were three wolves who served as the replacement for the original trio and Niju's followers in "Balto II: Wolf QuestBalto II: Wolf Quest
Balto II: Wolf Quest is a 2002 straight-to-DVD fictional sequel to Universal Studios' 1995 animated film Balto.-Plot:Balto and his mate Jenna have a new family of six puppies...
".
Nuk, who while is the largest, is also the least intelligent member, personally claiming he'd rather just eat than use his brain. Yak seems to be the most intelligent, but seems to have an increasing difficulty with fleas. Sumac appears to be the smallest and most skittish individual, as well as laughing frequently.
Nuk, Yak, and Sumac refused to continue forth with Niju's evil plan when they finally realized the truth of the situation around them. The three aided Aleu in her return to the ice flow, resulting in her takeover of the pack's future. They disappeared across the ocean with Aleu and the rest of the wolves.
Nuk, Yak, and Sumac were voiced by Joe Alaskey
Joe Alaskey
Joseph "Joe" Alaskey is an American actor, comedian, and voice artist, credited as one of the successors of Mel Blanc in impersonating the voices of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and other characters from Warner Bros. cartoons. He was born in Watervliet, New York.-Other work:Alaskey has also done voices...
, Jeff Bennett, and Rob Paulsen
Rob Paulsen
Robert Fredrick "Rob" Paulsen III , sometimes credited as Rob Paulson, is an American voice actor, best known as the voice behind Raphael from the 1987 cartoon of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Yakko Warner and Dr...
respectively.
Grizzly Bear
A giant black Grizzly Bear appears in the original film BaltoBalto (film)
Balto is a 1995 American animated comedy-drama film directed by Simon Wells and produced by Amblimation, and the first of the overall trilogy. The film is based on a true story about the dog of the same name who helped save children from the diphtheria epidemic in the 1925 serum run to Nome...
during the wolf-dog's journey to find the missing relay anti-toxin team. The bear appeared to be stalking the group consisting of Balto, Boris, and Muk and Luk for several moments before Balto finally caught scent of the danger. A fierce confrontation erupted between the crazed giant and Balto.
Although small and more agile, the wolf-dog was unable to avoid the behemoth; becoming trapped and nearly crushed beneath its paw. Had it not been for the swift arrival of Jenna, Balto would have easily been killed. Still relentless, the Grizzly injured Jenna and managed to engage Balto once more. Having learned a strategy, Balto lured the heavy creature onto the frozen ice; managing to dispose of the giant in the icy depths of the lake at nearly the cost of his own life.
Bull Moose
During the events of Balto III: Wings of ChangeBalto III: Wings of Change
Balto III: Wings of Change is a 2004 straight-to-video sequel to Universal Studios' 2002 animated film Balto II: Wolf Quest.-Plot:Balto's son Kodi works for the US Mail. Kodi loves his job and his new friends, - Dusty , Kirby and Ralph...
, Balto, along with Muk and Luk, descend deep into the territory of the very dangerous and crazed Moose. Despite warnings from Muk and Luk, Balto insisted that they press on in order to rescue the downed bush pilot Duke, as well as Boris. The group encounters one very unintelligent, yet formidable Bull Moose, and only upon the arrival of yet another territorial Moose do they manage to escape from the obsessed duo. The bull moose served as the replacement for the original crazed grizzly bear that appeared in the previous two films.
Both Moose take on a very Italian like personality in heavy reference to the mob genre ("You talkin' to me?"). They are both voiced by experienced voice actor Maurice LaMarche
Maurice LaMarche
Maurice LaMarche is an Emmy Award winning Canadian-American voice actor and former stand up comedian. He is best known for his voicework in Futurama as Kif Kroker, as Egon Spengler in The Real Ghostbusters, Verminous Skumm and Duke Nukem in Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Big Bob Pataki in Hey...
.
See also
- The Real BaltoBaltoBalto was a Siberian Husky sled dog who led his team on the final leg of the 1925 serum run to Nome, in which diphtheria antitoxin was transported from Anchorage, Alaska, to Nenana, Alaska, by train and then to Nome by dog sled to combat an outbreak of the disease. The run is commemorated by the...
- 1925 Nome Serum Run1925 serum run to NomeDuring the 1925 serum run to Nome, also known as the "Great Race of Mercy," 20 mushers and about 150 sled dogs relayed diphtheria antitoxin by dog sled across the U.S. territory of Alaska in a record-breaking five and a half days, saving the small city of Nome and the surrounding communities from...
- Balto (character)Balto (character)Balto is the main protagonist and titular character of the film Balto and its related sequels. However, the character is based on the real dog of the same name.-Development:The character of Balto was based on a real dog that lived in Nome in 1925...
- BaltoBalto (film)Balto is a 1995 American animated comedy-drama film directed by Simon Wells and produced by Amblimation, and the first of the overall trilogy. The film is based on a true story about the dog of the same name who helped save children from the diphtheria epidemic in the 1925 serum run to Nome...
- Balto II: Wolf QuestBalto II: Wolf QuestBalto II: Wolf Quest is a 2002 straight-to-DVD fictional sequel to Universal Studios' 1995 animated film Balto.-Plot:Balto and his mate Jenna have a new family of six puppies...
- Balto III: Wings of ChangeBalto III: Wings of ChangeBalto III: Wings of Change is a 2004 straight-to-video sequel to Universal Studios' 2002 animated film Balto II: Wolf Quest.-Plot:Balto's son Kodi works for the US Mail. Kodi loves his job and his new friends, - Dusty , Kirby and Ralph...