Nanuq

Nanuq is Balto's late father. He appears in the episode for Balto: The Animated Series, Faces From The Past. He is voiced by Lance Henriksen.

Biography
Nanuq was born in Nome, Alaska at an unspecified date to unknown parents. In his youth, he became the leader of the sled dog team and was loved by the citizens of Nome. Around this point, he met a white wolf called Aniu and mated with her. They ran away together and had a litter of pups, one of them being Balto. This, however, was much to the ire of a hotheaded wolf called Inuksuk, who saw Nanuq as a threat to his power and ordered his followers to kill him and his pups. Nanuq fought Inuksuk well, but was fatally injured as a result. With his dying words, he told Aniu to take Balto to safety. Aniu honoured her mate's sacrifice by meeting up with a snow goose called Boris, who adopted Balto as his own son.

Appearance and personality
Nanuq is a large, brown-furred husky. His eyes are hazel and a slighty muscular build. Nanuq is a brave, kind individual. He is willing to risk his own life for his family and he is extremely selfless.

Appearances
Faces From The Past

Nanuq appears in a flashback of Balto's. He is seen meeting Aniu, fathering their pups and battling Inuksuk. Inuksuk, although briefly incapacitated, manages to fight back and severaly injures Nanuq by biting his shoulder and throwing him against a rock. He then tells Aniu, with his final breath, he says to Aniu, "Please. Get Balto to safety...I love you," before he succumbs to his wounds. He and Aniu later appear as spirits at the end of the episode. Balto and Kodi thank them for saving them from a vicious exiled wolf called Ilanaq. The two spirits then depart to the afterlife.

Trivia

 * Nanuq's eyes change from hazel to amber in several scenes throughout the episode.


 * The role of Nanuq was originally given to Michael Madsen, John Schneider, Jon Voight, Brian Dennehy, Denis Leary and James Spader.


 * Clancy Brown, Russell Crowe, Christopher McDonald, Mark Hamill, Andrew Shue and Anthony Edwards also auditioned for the role.


 * Nanuq speaks at least five times in the episode.