Brian George

Summary

Brian George (born 1 July 1952) is a British actor. He is best known for his roles as Pakistani restaurateur Babu Bhatt in Seinfeld (1989–1998), the Indian gynecologist father of Raj Koothrappali in The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019), the voice of Chutney in Father of the Pride (2004–2005), and spiritual guide Guru Pathik in Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008).

Brian George
George at the 2011 Canadian Film Centre
Born (1952-07-01) 1 July 1952 (age 71)[1][2]
Jerusalem, Israel
Other namesRichard Bell
CitizenshipUnited Kingdom
Alma materUniversity of Toronto
OccupationActor
Years active1984–present

Early life edit

George was born on 1 July 1952 in Jerusalem to Jewish parents of Lebanese, Indian, and Iraqi descent,[3] who had immigrated to Israel. His father was born in Lebanon[4] and grew up in Bombay, India in a multi religious family, with his half sister being Muslim.[5] His mother was born in India. A year after his birth, the family moved from Israel to London and then, in 1966, to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. George is the youngest of four siblings.

He attended an all-boys school in London but made the switch to a public co-ed high school when the family moved to Toronto. He attended the University of Toronto, where he was active in theatre productions. He left before graduation and formed a theatre group. When it failed to succeed, he moved on to join the Second City, where he trained with John Candy, among others.

Career edit

George appeared as a United Nations secretary in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, as Julian Bashir's father in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Doctor Bashir, I Presume?", and on a recurring basis as Raj's father in The Big Bang Theory. In 2006, he landed a recurring role as Sasan's father Omid in So NoTORIous. He also provided the voice of Bob Fish in the last two series of Bob and Margaret.

He appeared on numerous other sitcoms, including three episodes of Seinfeld as Pakistani immigrant Babu Bhatt, who is deported to Pakistan when Elaine Benes fails to give Jerry Seinfeld his mail, which contains Babu's visa application, in time. George returned in the series' finale.[6] He also appeared in two episodes of Ellen as Ranjit, a member of the book club that gathers in Ellen's book shop.

He had a recurring role as newsman Hugh Persons on Doctor, Doctor during its second season.

He made a guest appearance in the first season of Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda as Wayist religious leader Vikram Singh Khalsa. He also appeared in One Tree Hill as Brooke's taxi driver when she goes to launch her clothes line in New York.

George has done voiceover work in animated shows such as Batman: The Animated Series (as musician turned gangster Jimmy "The Jazzman" Peake); Handy Manny; Kim Possible as antagonist Duff Killigan, a Scotsman who uses exploding golf balls when attacking Kim and Ron Stoppable, Kim's sidekick; Avatar: The Last Airbender as Guru Pathik; Batman Beyond; Justice League (voicing Parasite, in a style similar to the first voice actor of Parasite, Brion James), Morgan Edge and President George W. Bush), MASK, Invader Zim, and Jedi Master Ki-Adi Mundi in Season 2 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He has also appeared in video games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Baldur's Gate, Ultimate Spider-Man, Mass Effect 3, EverQuest II and Final Fantasy XIV. Early in his acting career, he was among the cast of 1985's The Care Bears Movie, and made guest appearances in the Canadian television series The Edison Twins, The Littlest Hobo, Comedy Factory and King of Kensington.

He also took over the voice of Bob Fish in the Anglo-Canadian animated comedy series Bob and Margaret and Pugg in the 1993 revival series of The Pink Panther. He played a guru in the film Inspector Gadget who trains with Inspector Gadget.

He also made a small guest appearance in the second season of The Mentalist in episode 16 entitled "Code Red". He played a professor working at the Northern California Technology Institute. His other appearances include the role of Mr. Pashmutt on Desperate Housewives (in the 2005 episode "You Could Drive a Person Crazy") and Ali on American Dad! (in the 2005 episode "Stan of Arabia: Part 2"). He also appeared on The 4400 in the third-season episode "The Starzl Mutation". Also appeared in the St. Valentine's Day episode of Grey's Anatomy as a carrier waiter in love with another patient.

He also voiced Sahin the Falcon and Stuart Black in Age of Empires III. He plays a short tempered convenience store owner in the 2001 film Ghost World. He also plays the role of "Iqbal" in the 2006 film Employee of the Month. He also voiced Captain Barbossa in the video game Kingdom Hearts II, a role he would reprise in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Disney Infinity, and Kingdom Hearts III.

He played "Pushpop", an Indian ice cream vendor, in the 2001 film Bubble Boy. He also played the culturally diverse (Sikh-Catholic-Muslim mix with Jewish in-laws) bartender who counselled the priest played by Edward Norton through a crisis of faith in the 2000 film Keeping the Faith. In the 2008 indie romantic comedy Shades of Ray, he played the overbearing Pakistani father to a half-Pakistani, half-Caucasian (Zachary Levi) in the midst of questioning his prior policy of only dating white women.

He also was the foster father of Ricky in the television series The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

In The Penguins of Madagascar, George guest stars as the zoo doctor in "Needle Point", "I Was a Penguin Zombie", "Operation: Cooties", "Love Hurts", and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Goes Insane".

He also appeared on Disney Channel show That's So Raven as Dr. Sleevemore, a "psychic doctor" who treats Raven's vision-related problems. He appeared in 2 episodes.

He also appeared on the Disney Channel show Phineas and Ferb on the hour long special "Summer Belongs To You" as Uncle Sabu, voiced Mr. Kumar on the Disney Junior show Handy Manny, and voiced a character on the Disney Channel show Mickey Mouse.

George regularly voiced several characters on DC Nation's Green Lantern: The Animated Series, including Appa Ali Apsa, LANOS, and Brother Warth. He also appeared in Beware the Batman as the villain Professor Pyg, and in Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time as Sly's ancestor, Salim Al-Kupar.

In 2013, George took up a recurring role in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland as an unnamed prisoner who is later revealed to be the Sultan of Agrabah and father of the show's principal antagonist: Jafar.[7]

He guest starred in SpongeBob SquarePants in the episode "Drive Happy" as Coupe, an arrogant and sarcastic sentient car that SpongeBob buys.

He also had a featured role in the Uttera Singh-directed comedy short film Fanny Pack.

After 12 years, George reprised his role as Doctor Sleevmore in the That's So Raven spin-off Raven's Home for a three episode special.

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
1985 The Care Bears Movie Mr. Fetuccini, additional voices Voice
1987 Roxanne Doctor
1989 Speed Zone Valentino Rosatti
1993 Robin Hood: Men in Tights Dungeon Maitre'D
1994 Pom Poko Kincho Daimyoujin the Sixth / Yashimano Hage 2005 English dub[8]
1997 Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery UN Secretary
1998 Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero Additional Voices Direct-to-video
1999 Inspector Gadget Sore Guru
2000 The Prime Gig Nasser
Keeping the Faith Paulie Chopra
2001 Ghost World Convenience Store Owner
Bubble Boy Push Pop
2006 Crumbs Dry Cleaner
Employee of the Month Iqbal Raji
2008 Batman: Gotham Knight O'Fallon / Arman / Scruffy Man Voice, direct-to-video[8]
2009 Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Gorilla Grodd
2010 Batman: Under the Red Hood Ra's al Ghul Assistant
2012 Justice League: Doom Mayor
Hotel Transylvania Suit of Armor Voice[8]
Delhi Safari Bat English dub[8]
2014 Batman: Strange Days Dr. Hugo Strange Voice, short; uncredited
Postman Pat: The Movie Ajay Baines Voice[8]
The Boxtrolls Boulanger
Beethoven's Treasure Tail Trentino
2016 Batman: The Killing Joke Alfred Pennyworth Voice[8]
2019 Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
2023 Batman: The Doom that Came to Gotham[9]
Merry Little Batman Penguin / Oswald Cobblepot Voice; direct-to-streaming film[10]

Television edit

Live-action performances edit

Year Title Role Notes
1984–1986 The Edison Twins Sgt. Paganee 13 episodes
1991 Married... with Children Chef Episode: "Look Who's Barking"
1991–1998 Seinfeld Babu Bhatt 3 episodes
1992 Quantum Leap Ben Episode: "Moments to Live"
1992–1993 Super Dave Additional Voices Unknown
Coach Rami 3 episodes
1993 The Nanny Butler Inspector #2 Episode: "The Butler, the Husband, the Wife and Her Mother"
1994 Melrose Place Client Episode: "Love, Mancini Style"
Blossom Shakir Episode: "Oh, Baby"
1994 Step by Step Dean of Admission Episode: "My Bodyguard"
1994–1996 Weird Science Mr. Palate 6 episodes
1995 Ellen Ranjit 2 episodes
1997 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Misha Episode: "The Family Hour"
Caroline in the City Mr. Tedescu
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Richard Bashir Episode: "Dr. Bashir, I Presume?"
Boy Meets World Eduardo Episode: "Chasing Angela"
2000 The X-Files Project Doctor Episode: "The Sixth Extinction II: Amor Fati"
Star Trek: Voyager Ambassador O'Zaal Episode: "Drive"
2001 The Chris Isaak Show Dr. Ramu Banerjee
2003–2006 That's So Raven Dr. Sleevemore 2 episodes
2005 Two and a Half Men TV Narrator Episode: "Those Big Pink Things with Coconut"
2006 One Tree Hill Dauod Episode: "All Tomorrow's Parties"
2007 NCIS Dr. Ameen Temani Episode: "Trojan Horse"
2007–2019 The Big Bang Theory Dr. V.M. Koothrappali 14 episodes
2007 The 4400 Claudio Borghi Episode: "The Starzi Mutation"
2008 Numb3rs Sanjay Ramanujan Episode: "Pay to Play"
2008–2013 The Secret Life of the American Teenager Dr. Shakur 14 episodes
2010 Grey’s Anatomy Emile Flores Episode: "Valentine's Day Massacre"
The Mentalist Professor Episode: "Code Red"
2012 Burning Love Titi's Dad
NCIS: Los Angeles Indian Restaurant Manager Episode: "Skip Deep"
2013 Once Upon a Time in Wonderland Old Prisoner / Sultan 10 episodes
Dog with a Blog Monty Cathcart Episode: "A New Baby?"
2015 Elementary Santhosh 2 episodes
2015–2017, 2022 The Expanse Arjun Avasarala Michael Benyaer recast for the role in 2019; reprised the role in a voice cameo in a 2022 episode
2017 The Orville Dr. Aronov Episode: "Old Wounds"
New Girl[11] Uncle Naseer Episode: "The Hike"
2018 The Resident Tejan Pravesh 4 episodes
Raven's Home Dr. Sleevemore 3 episodes
I Feel Bad Sonny Kamala Main role
2022 The Really Loud House Dr. Simmons 2 episodes

Voice performances edit

Year Title Role Notes
1986 MASK Ali Bombay/Lester Sludge 8 episodes
Dennis the Menace Various
1987 Lady Lovely Locks and the Pixietails Shinning Glory, Pixieshine, Hairball Various
1992 Batman: The Animated Series Jazzman Episode: "I Am the Night"[8]
1993–1995 The Pink Panther Pugg 6 episodes
1995–1996 Freakazoid! Mr. Snarzetti, Warden Riba, Doctor 3 episodes[8]
1996 Superman: The Animated Series Kryptonian Councilman, Eugene 2 episodes[8]
Saban's Adventures of Oliver Twist Fagin, Narrator Credited as Bob MacGarva
Pinky and the Brain Sir Niles, Drake, Critic #1 3 episodes[8]
1996-1997 Road Rovers Lieutenant Skeam Episode: "Where Rovers Dare"[8]
1996-2002 The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries Masocks Mashoes, Commissar Lanuk, Diesel, Farmer, Conductor, Tour Guide, Immigration Agent [8]
1998 Walter Melon Walter Melon Main role; credited as Richard Bell
1999–2001 Batman Beyond Samir, Police Lieutenant, Jace, Dr. Pandu Banjahri 4 episodes[8]
Mike, Lu & Og Haggis Cuzzlewit, Captain 5 episodes[8]
2000–2001 Bob and Margaret Bob Fish Seasons 3 and 4
2001–2004 Lloyd in Space Station 23 episodes[8]
Justice League Parasite, President in Justice Lords' universe 3 episodes[8]
2002–2007 Kim Possible Duff Killigan, Professor Ramesh 14 episodes
2002 Samurai Jack Brotok Episode: "Jack and the Spartans"[8]
2002-2003 Fillmore! Librarium Lendrum 3 episodes[8]
2006–2007 Avatar: The Last Airbender Guru Pathik 4 episodes[8]
2007 Maya and Miguel Dr. DasGupta Episode: "Paging Dr. Maya"
2008–2009 The Spectacular Spider-Man Aaron Warren, Miles Warren 7 episodes[8]
2008–2014 Star Wars: The Clone Wars King Katuunko, Ki-Adi-Mundi [8]
2009–2011 The Penguins of Madagascar Zoo Doctor 5 episodes[8]
2009 The Secret Saturdays Grosshomme Episode: "The Return of Tsul'Kalu"[8]
2010 Phineas and Ferb Uncle Sabu 2 episodes[8]
Handy Manny Mr. Kumar
2011–2013 Green Lantern: The Animated Series Appa Ali Apsa, Brother Warth, LANOS 13 episodes[8]
2014 Shazam! Tawky Tawny / Solomon 2 episodes
2013–2014 Beware the Batman Professor Pyg, Liam Taylor 4 episodes[8]
2015 Guardians of the Galaxy Pyko Episode: "We Are Family"[8]
2016 Steven Universe Mr. Frowney Episode: "Future Boy Zoltron"[8]
2016–2017 Pickle and Peanut Pickle's Dad / Additional Voices 4 Episodes
2018, 2022 SpongeBob SquarePants Coupe / Guru 2 episodes
2018 Big City Greens Doctor Episode: "Cricketsitter"
2019 Pup Academy D.O.G. 3 episodes
Carmen Sandiego Ibrahim Al Sibaq Episode: "The Need for Speed Caper"[8]
2020–2021 The Simpsons Pubgoers / Londoners 2 episodes
2022 Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi Ki-Adi-Mundi Episode: "Choices"[8]
2023 Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years Sal Episode: "Are You Smarter Than a Smart Cabin?"
2023 Unicorn: Warriors Eternal Darvish 2 episodes[8]

Video games edit

Year Title Role Notes
1998 Baldur's Gate Belt, Coran, Oublek
2000 Diablo II Gheed, Drognan, Alkor[8]
Invictus: In the Shadow of Olympus
2001 Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel Ghoul Merchant Hieronymus, Chief Scientist DuBois, Tesla Robot, Service Robot
Return to Castle Wolfenstein Egyptian No. 2, Prologue German No. 2 (PS2 version)
Tarzan: Untamed Professor Porter
2002 Icewind Dale II
Superman: Shadow of Apokolips Parasite, Male Scientist, Warden [8]
Law & Order: Dead on the Money Saheed Singh
2003 Command & Conquer: Generals
Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Master Zhar Lestin, Mysterious Man, Eli Gand, Sith Interrogator, Czerka Officer
Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour Rodall "Demo" Juhziz General's Challenge
The Hobbit
Medal of Honor: Rising Sun Pvt. Battersby, Sgt. Gupta
Armed & Dangerous Roman
2004 Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel Ghoul Merchant, Chief Scientist, Tesla, Service Robot
Ground Control II: Operation Exodus Centurion Cezarus [8]
The Bard's Tale [12]
EverQuest II Garion Dunam, Scribe Varion Smitelin, Armsdealer Barrik
GoldenEye: Rogue Agent
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth King Théoden
2005 Medal of Honor: European Assault Additional voices
Rainbow Six: Lockdown
Ultimate Spider-Man Shocker, Adrian Toomes
Age of Empires III Sahin
Stuart Black
True Crime: New York City [13]
2006 Kingdom Hearts II Captain Barbossa
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II King Théoden
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow Barbossa, Fort Guard, Captured Pirate #5 [8]
Cars Piston Cup Racers
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king King Théoden
2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Captain Hector Barbossa
Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Colonel George Edwardson
Mass Effect Rear Admiral Kahoku, Chairman Burns, Dr. Saleon, Dr. Wayne, Rogue Al, Samesh Bhatia, businessman, Elcor Diplomat, Refugee, Salarian Soldier, Turian Customer
Cars Mater-National Championship Fillmore
2008 Tom Clancy's Endwar
2009 The Lord of the Rings: Conquest Théoden, Elven Officer No. 2, Old Male Hobbit
Night at the Museum: Battle of Smithsonian Napoleon Bonaparte, Guard No. 2
Dragon Age: Origins Knight-Commander Greagoir, Ser Otto, Bann Sighard, Blood Mage Leader, Howe Estate Guard, How Estate Craftsman
2010 Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight Additional voices
The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest King Théoden, Barliman Butterbur
Final Fantasy XIV
2011 Dragon Age II Larius – Legacy DLC
Star Wars: The Old Republic Devotek, Additional voices
2012 Mass Effect 3 General Oleg Petrovsky – Omega DLC
Diablo III Abd al-Hazir [8]
Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two
Rush: A Disney–Pixar Adventure Anton Ego
2013 Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time Salim Al-Kupar, Panther, Tiger [8]
Disney Infinity Captain Hector Barbossa
DuckTales Remastered Flintheart Glomgold
2014 Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Abd al-Hazir
Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes Captain Hector Barbossa
Skylanders: Trap Team Bernie
Far Cry 4 Additional Voices
Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series Ser Royland Degore
Tazal
2015 Disney Infinity 3.0 Hector Barbossa[14]
2016 World of Warcraft: Legion Lord Jorach Ravenholdt[15]
2018 Lego DC Super-Villains Ganthet
2019 Kingdom Hearts III Hector Barbossa
2020 Marvel's Avengers Yusuf Khan [8]
2022 Voodoo Detective Benny
Tactics Ogre: Reborn Duke Juda Ronway [8]

References edit

  1. ^ Nigro, Nicholas (2015). Seinfeld: Everything Left to Know About the Show About Nothing. ISBN 9781495035364. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Brian George". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  3. ^ Hughes, Mike (26 September 2018). "Familar voice plays dad on 'I Feel Bad'". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Did You Know That BABU From Seinfeld Was Born In…". 16 October 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2018.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Interview: Beyond 'Seinfeld,' Brian George Moves from Sitcom to Stage in 'Vicuña' at Mosaic Theater Company of DC". 30 November 2017.
  6. ^ "Brian George talks about 'Seinfeld' and his long career". From the Grapevine. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  7. ^ "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland 1.07 Review: "Bad Blood". tvovermind.com. 7 December 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am "Brian George (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 24 September 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  9. ^ Aaron Couch (6 December 2022). "'Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham' Sets Voice Cast (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  10. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (19 November 2023). "Trailer: 'Merry Little Batman' Brings a Lighter Dark Knight Tale to Prime Video". Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  11. ^ "New Girl" The Hike (TV Episode 2017), retrieved 10 July 2018
  12. ^ InXile Entertainment. The Bard’s Tale. InXile Entertainment. Scene: Ending credits, 2:10:18 in, More Great Talent.
  13. ^ Luxoflux. True Crime: New York City. Activision. Scene: Pause menu credits, 4:30:09 in, VOICE TALENT.
  14. ^ Avalanche Software. Disney Infinity 3.0. Scene: Closing credits, 5:39 in, Featuring the Voice Talents of.
  15. ^ BLIZZCON 2016 Voice Actor Stage – World of Warcraft – Your Class, Your Champions.

External links edit

  • Brian George at IMDb