Ernie Sabella

Ernest Sabella (born September 19, 1949) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his role as Pumbaa from ''The Lion King'' franchise, voicing the character in all media except the 2019 film. Sabella's TV roles include Mr. Donald "Twinkie" Twinkacetti in '' Perfect Strangers'' (1986-1987), George Shipman in '' A Fine Romance'', and Leon Carosi in ''Saved by the Bell'' (1991). His work in Broadway theatre includes starring roles in ''Guys and Dolls,'' ''Curtains,'' and ''Man of La Mancha''.

Life and career

Born in Westchester County, New York, Sabella graduated from the University of Miami, where he studied at the Department of Theatre Arts and performed at the university's Jerry Herman Ring Theatre.

His stage credits include '' The Robber Bridegroom'' (1976), ''Little Johnny Jones'' (1982), ''Guys and Dolls'' (1992) as Harry the Horse, ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'' (1996), ''Chicago'' as Amos Hart (replacement), ''Man of La Mancha'' (2002, as Sancho Panza) and ''Sweet Charity'' (2005).Sabella Broadway"
ibdb.com, retrieved February 15, 2018

Film credits include ''Quiz Show'' (1994) as the car salesman, '' In & Out'' (1997) as Aldo Hooper, Disney's ''The Lion King'' (1994) and multiple sequels and spin-offs as Pumbaa. He also has worked with Nathan Lane, who had voiced Timon, in ''Guys and Dolls'', ''Mouse Hunt'', '' The Producers'' (in a deleted scene) and ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum''. In the latter production, Sabella portrayed Marcus Lycus while Lane played Pseudolus. Sabella also joined Lane for his ''Saturday Night Live'' monologue, where they sang " Hakuna Matata".

On television, Sabella portrayed apartment manager Lou Donatelli in the Jason Bateman comedy ''It's Your Move'' (1984–85). He appeared in an episode of ''Cheers'' titled "Love Thy Neighbor" (Season Four Episode Eight air date November 21, 1985) in which he played the role of a private investigator named Santo Carbone, who was Carla Tortelli's cousin. He played store owner and landlord Donald Twinkacetti on '' Perfect Strangers'' (1986–1987).
He played Leo in the short-lived situation comedy ''Encore! Encore!'' starring Nathan Lane (2000). Sabella had a five-episode stint on ''Saved by the Bell'' in 1991 as Leon Carosi, an uptight resort manager and owner who employed the main cast's characters. Leah Remini was featured as his daughter. His other recurring roles include the lazy teacher Mr. Petrachelli on ''That's So Raven'' (2003), the floundering attorney Harland Bassett on ''The Practice'' (2000-2001), and characters on '' Newhart'' (1983).

In the ''Quantum Leap'' episode "Catch a Falling Star", he played the dual role of Manny, a stage actor, and Sancho Panza, Manny's character in a touring production of ''Man of La Mancha''. Sabella had a brief appearance as a naked man on a subway train in a 1992 episode of ''Seinfeld'' titled " The Subway".

He starred in a series of television commercials for NyQuil cold medicine in 1994 and was seen in a MasterCard commercial (2007), as well as Lynx in 2008.

Sabella co-starred as Sidney Bernstein in the Broadway musical comedy ''Curtains'', which opened officially on March 22, 2007 and ran until June 29, 2008.

He played the role of apartment building superintendent Leon in the 9th episode "Hold Outs" of the 6th season (2015) of the CBS police procedural drama '' Blue Bloods''."Ernie Sabella Credits"

tvguide.com, retrieved February 15, 2018

In 2015, Sabella reprised his voice role as Pumbaa in the TV pilot movie ''The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar''.

In 2016, Sabella became a full-time cast member for the Disney Junior television series '' The Lion Guard''.

Personal life

Sabella met his wife Cheryl backstage during a Broadway performance of ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'' in 1996; they married in 1999.Gladstone, Douglas
"Remember The Naked Subway Rider In Seinfeld? Meet Ernie Sabella"
''Westchester Magazine'', June 2014"A real character: Actor Ernie Sabella sets up shop in Southern Nevada"
''Las Vegas Sun'', January 17, 2002 His wife works as a computer programmer in their home town.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Theme park attractions

Theatre

Awards and nominations

* 1996 - Daytime Emmy Award - Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program - Nominated
* 2005 - DVDX Award for Best Animated Character Performance (Voice and Animation in a DVD Premiere Movie) - Nominated

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sabella, Ernie
1949 births
Living people
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American male actors
American male film actors
American male musical theatre actors
American male stage actors
American male television actors
American male video game actors
American male voice actors
Audiobook narrators
People from Mount Pleasant, New York
University of Miami alumni