Nylan Parthipan

A teenage Canadian actor of Tamil descent from Guelph, Ontario, Nylan Parthipan began performing at age eight after his physiotherapist spotted his potential. Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at two, he became the first disabled performer to voice a character on PAW Patrol. A two-time ACTRA nominee and Nova Star Award winner, best known for Zuma in the PAW Patrol films, Al in the PAW Patrol series, and Ivan/Ice Cub in PJ Masks: Power Heroes.

Website: https://nylan.ca/

Nylan Parthipan’s Place in Children’s Animation

At an age when most kids are watching Saturday morning cartoons, Nylan Parthipan was voicing them. The Canadian child actor from Guelph, Ontario, of Tamil descent, began his journey in entertainment at eight years old not through a family connection to the industry, but through a suggestion from his physiotherapist, who recognized something in him worth nurturing. That first audition didn’t land, but the casting director loved his voice enough to pass his name along. That referral eventually brought him to Odd Squad, and from there, a run of credits followed that would be impressive for any performer at any age.

PAW Patrol and Breaking New Ground

The PAW Patrol franchise became the anchor of Nylan’s early career in a way that carried genuine cultural weight. He stepped in as the voice of Al in Season 9 of the flagship series, then brought Zuma to life in PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (2023) and PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie (2026). On the spinoff Rubble & Crew, he took over the role of Wheeler in Season 2. What made these credits notable beyond their reach was the context: Nylan, diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at age two, became the first person with a disability to voice a character on PAW Patrol. The milestone didn’t arrive through a tokenistic initiative it came because he could simply do the work.

Disney, PBS, and a Growing List of Credits

Outside the PAW Patrol world, Nylan expanded steadily into other properties. He voiced Ivan/Ice Cub in PJ Masks: Power Heroes starting in Season 6, and took on Malik in Season 2 of the PBS Kids series Work It Out Wombats! Other credits include Tidbit in Vida the Vet, Kai in SuperKitties, Zip in Firebuds, Whyatt Beanstalk/Super Why in Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures, and additional voices in the video game Reverse: 1999. His on-screen profile also grew with the role of Carl in Disney’s film Out of My Mind. The breadth across animation studios and formats PBS, Disney Junior, Spin Master reflects a young performer who built range quickly.

Recognition and What Drives the Work

Two ACTRA Award nominations for Best Voice Performance, along with a 2022 Nova Star Award win for TV Series Actor, have marked Nylan’s short career with real industry acknowledgment. He trains continually in vocal and acting classes and works across dialects and character types. The motivation he has articulated publicly is clear and consistent: he wants kids with disabilities to see that the door is open. That goal shapes not just what roles he takes, but why the roles matter beyond the screen.