List of Doctor Dolittle characters facts for kids

Have you ever wished you could talk to animals? In the amazing world of Doctor Dolittle, a kind English doctor learns to do just that! This page introduces you to the many interesting human and animal characters from the popular books by Hugh Lofting and the movies inspired by them. Most of these characters first appeared in the very first book, The Story of Doctor Dolittle, published in 1920.

Humans in Doctor Dolittle's World

Doctor John Dolittle

Doctor John Dolittle is the main character. He is an English doctor who lives in a small town called Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. He became a doctor for animals after his parrot, Polynesia, taught him how to speak animal languages!

Doctor Dolittle has many animal friends living with him. He doesn't have many human friends because he spends most of his time helping animals. He loves to travel the world with his animal companions, learning about new animals and their languages.

You might have seen Doctor Dolittle in movies! He was played by Rex Harrison in the 1967 film Doctor Dolittle. Later, Eddie Murphy played him in Dr. Dolittle (1998) and Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001). More recently, Robert Downey Jr. took on the role in the 2020 movie Dolittle. In animated TV shows, he was voiced by Bob Holt (1970) and John Stephenson (1984).

Tommy Stubbins, the Young Assistant

Thomas "Tommy" Stubbins is a boy from Puddleby. He becomes Doctor Dolittle's friend and assistant after bringing an injured squirrel to the doctor. Tommy's father is the doctor's favorite shoemaker.

Tommy first appears in the 1922 book The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle. He tells the story in all the books that happen after he joins the doctor. Tommy was played by William Dix in the 1967 film and by Harry Collett in the 2020 film. He was voiced by Hal Smith in the 1970 animated TV series and by B. J. Ward in the 1984 series.

Matthew Mugg, the Helpful Friend

Matthew Mugg is a kind man from Puddleby who sells meat for cats. He is a good friend of Doctor Dolittle. Matthew helps look after the doctor's house and garden when Dolittle is away traveling. He can't read or write, but he is very practical. It was Matthew who first suggested that Dolittle become an "animal doctor" and learn animal languages! Anthony Newley played him in the 1967 film.

Prince Bumpo, the Royal Student

Prince Bumpo is an African prince from the kingdom of Jolliguinki. His father sent him to study at Oxford University. Prince Bumpo becomes a friend of Doctor Dolittle. You can recognize him by his green umbrella and bare feet, as he usually takes off his shoes because he's not used to wearing them.

In the 1967 film, his character was changed a bit and renamed "William Shakespeare the Tenth."

Colonel Bellowes, the Strict Judge

Colonel Bellowes is an old, snobby man from Puddleby. He appears briefly in The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle.

In the 1967 film, he is called General Bellowes. He is a retired military leader and a judge. He doesn't like new or unusual ideas, including the idea that a veterinarian can talk to animals. He owns many animals, but they don't help him when Doctor Dolittle asks them questions during a trial! General Bellowes is very hard on Dolittle, who has to leave the country. Later, General Bellowes pardons Doctor Dolittle when all the local animals go on strike to protest.

Emma Fairfax, General Bellowes' Niece

Emma is a character in the 1967 film. She is the niece of General Bellowes and becomes a romantic interest for Doctor Dolittle. She was played by Samantha Eggar.

Lily Dolittle, the Adventurous Explorer

Lily Dolittle is the Doctor's wife in the 2020 film, played by Kasia Smutniak. She is no longer alive in the movie's story. Lily was an adventurous explorer who loved animals just like Dolittle. She was the daughter of Rassouli, a pirate king. She died during a sea voyage when her ship was caught in a big storm. Her journal, which holds the secret to finding the Eden Tree, is important for saving the Queen of England.

Long Arrow, the Great Naturalist

Long Arrow is a Native American character. He is the son of Golden Arrow and is known as the world's greatest naturalist, especially good at studying plants. He travels through the mountains of Peru and Spider Monkey Island. He learned the language of eagles, which helps him talk with Doctor Dolittle. He is an important character in The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle.

William Shakespeare the Tenth

William Shakespeare the Tenth is the leader of a tribe on Sea Star Island, a floating tropical island. He and his tribe are very educated. They can speak many languages because different books have washed up on their island over time. Parents name their children after their favorite authors, which is how he got his unique name.

He is nicknamed "Willy" and was played by Geoffrey Holder in the 1967 film. He was not in Lofting's original books but is loosely based on Prince Bumpo.

Sarah Dolittle, the Doctor's Sister

Sarah Dolittle is John Dolittle's sister. She used to be his housekeeper. She first appears in The Story of Doctor Dolittle. Sarah leaves in disgust when Doctor Dolittle lets a crocodile live in his house, which scares away his human patients and makes them poor. She then gets married.

She later returns in Doctor Dolittle's Circus with her husband. She convinces her brother to use a fake name, "John Smith," while working in the circus. This is so her new friends won't know she's related to a "circus showman." Sarah Dolittle was played by Portia Nelson in the 1967 film.

Doctor Dolittle's Amazing Animals

Polynesia, the Wise Parrot

Polynesia is Doctor Dolittle's very first animal friend. She is a West African parrot and is very old and wise. She was the one who taught Doctor Dolittle how to speak the language of animals! She always says she can't remember her exact age, but she remembers seeing Charles II of England hiding in an oak tree from his enemies a long, long time ago.

In the first book, she decided to stay in Africa, but she returned in later stories. In The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, she is described as grey and scarlet.

In the 1967 and 2020 films, Polynesia is shown as a macaw. In the 2020 film, she is voiced by Emma Thompson and tells the story. In the 1967 film, she says she is 199 years old and remembers seeing King Charles II. Polynesia also appears in the animated Doctor Dolittle TV series.

Gub-Gub, the Food-Loving Pig

Gub-Gub is Doctor Dolittle's pet pig. He absolutely loves food! A book called Gub Gub's Book: An Encyclopedia of Food is written as if it's a record of conversations with Gub-Gub about all kinds of food.

Jip, the Clever Dog

Jip is Doctor Dolittle's dog. He has an incredibly good sense of smell. In The Story of Doctor Dolittle, Jip was able to find a man stuck on an island by following his scent all the way across the ocean! In the 1967 film, he is a Labrador Retriever. In the 2020 film, he is a different breed, wears glasses, and is voiced by Tom Holland. Jip also appears in the animated TV show, voiced by Don Messick.

Chee-Chee, the Playful Monkey

Chee-Chee is a monkey from Africa. Doctor Dolittle buys him from an organ-grinder in The Story of Doctor Dolittle. His name means "ginger" in monkey language. He appears as a chimpanzee in the 1967 film. In the 2020 film, he is a gorilla voiced by Rami Malek. He is also voiced by Don Messick in the animated show.

Dab-Dab, the Housekeeping Duck

Dab-Dab is Doctor Dolittle's pet duck. After the doctor's sister, Sarah, leaves the house, Dab-Dab takes over as the doctor's housekeeper. She appeared in the 2020 film voiced by Octavia Spencer. In the animated TV show, she is shown as the ship's cook.

Too-Too, the Wise Owl

Too-Too is the doctor's pet owl. He acts as the doctor's accountant, meaning he helps manage the money. He can tell the doctor exactly how much money he has. Too-Too appears in the animated TV series Doctor Dolittle.

Cheapside, the Gossiping Sparrow

Cheapside is a sparrow from East London. He often visits the doctor to share gossip or important news. He is known for using strong language. Cheapside and his wife, Becky, live at St. Paul's in the ear of a statue. He is a character who appears many times in the books.

Pushmi-Pullyu, the Two-Headed Wonder

The Pushmi-Pullyu, a unique creature with two heads.

The Pushmi-Pullyu (say "push-me—pull-you") is a very unusual animal with two heads, one at each end of its body! It's described as a mix between a gazelle and a unicorn. In The Story of Doctor Dolittle, grateful monkeys in Africa convince it to go to England with Doctor Dolittle. The Pushmi-Pullyu helps the doctor earn money by appearing in circuses. It usually talks with only one head, saving the other for eating. It also says its great-grandfather was the last unicorn.

In the 1967 film, the Pushmi-Pullyu was shown as a double-sided llama. Doctor Dolittle can talk to it right away because llamas speak a dialect of camel language. This version also appears in the TV series, voiced by Don Messick.

Toggle, the Horse with Glasses

Toggle is a plowhorse who can't see well. In The Story of Doctor Dolittle, he gets glasses to help him see. In the 1967 film, Toggle is owned by General Bellowes.

Great Glass Sea Snail, the Ocean Taxi

This enormous undersea creature has a clear, airtight shell. It gets hurt when the mysterious floating Spider Monkey Island finally stops moving in The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle. The animals arrange for this snail to carry Doctor Dolittle and his friends back through the ocean to Puddleby.

In the 1967 film, it's called the Great Pink Sea Snail. It takes Matthew, Tommy, Emma, and many small animals from Sea Star Island back to England.

Sophie the Seal, Seeking Freedom

Sophie the Seal is rescued by Dolittle in Dr Dolittle's Circus. She makes it clear to the doctor that she doesn't like circus life and wants to return to the sea to find her husband. Dolittle helps her escape by disguising her as a woman and taking her to the sea. A villager sees Dolittle throwing her off a cliff and thinks he's committing murder, leading to Dolittle's arrest. He is later released by a friend. Sophie presumably makes it back to Alaska.

In the 1967 film, Sophie and her family later tell Dolittle that all the animals in Puddleby have gone on strike to protest how he was treated.

Giant Lunar Moth, the Sky Traveler

In Lofting's original books, a Giant Moth named Jamaro Bumblelily makes difficult trips between Earth and the Moon in Doctor Dolittle's Garden and Doctor Dolittle in the Moon.

In the 1967 film, the Giant Lunar Moth regularly travels between Earth and the Moon. When Doctor Dolittle hears the good news that animals have gone on strike and he's been pardoned, he asks the moth to drop him off in Puddleby to end his exile.

Miranda, the Messenger Bird

In The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, Miranda is a beautiful purple bird of paradise. She helps Doctor Dolittle by telling him about the weather conditions so he can travel to Spidermonkey Island. She also carries messages between Long Arrow and Doctor Dolittle, and she's the one who tells the doctor that Long Arrow is missing.

Images for kids

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  The Pushmi-Pullyu, a unique creature with two heads.