British-born actor Ian Abercrombie died 26 January 2012. Born 11 September 1934 in Essex, he began acting as a child during World War II. He moved to the US at the age of 17, and may be best remembered for recurring roles on Seinfeld (as Elaine’s boss) and Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place (as Professor Crumbs). Additionally, he was the voice of Palpatine/Darth Sidious in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and played Alfred on the short-lived Birds of Prey (2002-03).
The stage was always in his blood. He appeared in summer stock and regional theatre, as a dancer, and for a time as a magician’s assistant. His American stage debut came in 1955, in a production of Stalag 17 with Jason Robards and Jules Munshin.
In 1957, he was drafted into the army, and stationed in Germany. He was in Special Services, where he directed the Continental premiere of Separate Tables and toured with Olivia de Havilland in her show.
After his return to the States, he began a long and successful film and television career, appearing both in front of the cameras and in voice-over work (sometimes for animation, sometimes for commercials, and sometimes for after-the-fact dubbing).
His genre roles include: Green Lantern: The Animated Series (2011), Rango (2011), Moonlight (2007), two episodes of The Batman (2005-06), The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (2005), Charmed (2004), two episodes of Star Trek: Voyager (1999 and 2000), Good vs. Evil (1999), Wild Wild West (1999), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1998), The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), Babylon 5 1995), Test Tube Teens from the Year 2000 (1994), Addams Family Values (1993), Army of Darkness (1992), Rolling Thunder (1991), The Flash (1990), ALF (1989), Warlock (1989), Catacombs (1988), Faerie Tale Theatre (1987), Otherworld (1985), The Ice Pirates (1984), three episodes of Fantasy Island (1977-83), Tucker’s Witch (1983), Voyagers! (1982), Blood Beach (1980), Battlestar Galactica (1978), two episodes of The Six Million Dollar Man (1977), Young Frankenstein (1974), The Island at the Top of the World (1974), The Questor Tapes (1974), and Wicked, Wicked (1973).
His voice-over and dubbing work includes uncredited appearances in: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003), Shrek (2001), Hook (1991), and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1990).
His Hollywood Reporter obituary notes that he is survived by three brothers: Douglas, Donald and Alex.