Ian Abercrombie
{{short description|British actor (1934–2012)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2012}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ian Abercrombie
| image = IanAbercrombie.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Abercrombie in 2008
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1934|9|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = Grays, Essex, England
| death_date = {{death date and age|2012|1|26|1934|9|11|df=y}}
| death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor}}
| years_active = 1940s–2012
| notable_works = {{hlist|Army of Darkness|Mouse Hunt|The Lost World: Jurassic Park|Rango}}
| television = {{hlist|Birds of Prey|Seinfeld|Desperate Housewives|Wizards of Waverly Place|Star Wars: The Clone Wars|Green Lantern: The Animated Series}}
| spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Elizabeth Romano|1956|1978|reason=divorced}}
- {{marriage|Gladys Abercrombie|1984}}}}
}}
Ian Abercrombie{{cite web|url=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gss=angs-c&new=1&rank=1&msT=1&gsfn=Ian&gsfn_x=0&gsln=Abercrombie&gsln_x=0&cp=0&MSAV=1&uidh=fk7&pcat=40&h=3422763&db=CanadianBC&indiv=1&ml_rpos=2 |title=U.S., Border Crossings from Canada to U.S., 1895–1956|publisher=Ancestry.com}} (11 September 1934 – 26 January 2012) was an English actor. He was best known for playing Justin Pitt (Elaine Benes' boss) during the sixth season of Seinfeld.{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/person/114/Ian-Abercrombie|title=Ian Abercrombie|access-date=2012-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225163913/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/114/Ian-Abercrombie|archive-date=25 December 2010|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=The New York Times|date=2010|url-status=dead}} He also played Alfred Pennyworth on Birds of Prey, Rupert Cavanaugh (Ian Hainsworth's butler) in Desperate Housewives, Professor Crumbs in Wizards of Waverly Place, and Palpatine in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Early life
Abercrombie was born on 11 September 1934 in Grays, Essex, England. He began his career as a dancer during World War II.https://variety.com/2012/scene/news/ian-abercrombie-dies-at-77-1118049479/ After his footwork years during which he earned bronze, silver and gold medals in stage dancing, he performed in London, Scotland, Ireland, and the Netherlands. He moved to the United States at age 17.
He made his American stage debut in 1951 in a production of Stalag 17 with Jason Robards and Jules Munshin.{{Cite web |last=Gaughan |first=Gavin |date=2012-02-14 |title=Ian Abercrombie: Character actor best known in 'Seinfeld' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/ian-abercrombie-character-actor-best-known-in-seinfeld-6879745.html |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=The Independent |language=en}} Many plays in summer stock, regional, and off-Broadway followed in a variety of theatrical offerings, from revues to Shakespeare (in a particularly low period, he worked as a magician's assistant for $10 a performance).
In 1957, he was drafted into the United States Army and stationed in West Germany as part of Special Services,{{Cite web |last=McLellan |first=Dennis |date=2012-01-30 |title=Ian Abercrombie dies at 77; actor played Elaine's boss on 'Seinfeld' |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-ian-abercrombie-20120130-story.html |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} where he directed the continental premiere of Separate Tables.
In the United States, he went to California for a backers' audition, which went nowhere, but he began a long film and television career. He received awards {{Clarify|date=January 2012}} for his work in Sweet Prince with Keir Dullea; Teeth 'N'smiles; A Doll's House with Linda Purl; and The Arcata Promise, opposite Anthony Hopkins. He received acclaim for the one-man show Jean Cocteau—A Mirror Image.
Career
Abercrombie was known to cult film audiences as Wiseman in the comedy horror film Army of Darkness (1992). He guest-starred on many television series such as Seinfeld, The Nanny, Wizards of Waverly Place, Airwolf, Babylon 5, Barnaby Jones and NewsRadio.
On radio, he was heard in several productions of the Hollywood Theater of the Ear.{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} Abercrombie voiced Ambrose in Oscar winner Rango (2011). He also portrayed Ganthet on Green Lantern: The Animated Series, completing his work as the character shortly before his death.{{cite news |url=http://blog.bcdb.com/ian-abercrombie-77-boss-mr-pitt-seinfeld-2858/ |title=Ian Abercrombie, 77, was boss Mr. Pitt on Seinfeld |first=Ethan |last=Minovitz |newspaper=Big Cartoon News |date=28 January 2012 |access-date=28 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209135921/http://blog.bcdb.com/ian-abercrombie-77-boss-mr-pitt-seinfeld-2858/ |archive-date=9 December 2012 }}
=''Star Wars: The Clone Wars''=
Abercrombie voiced Chancellor Palpatine/Darth Sidious in the 2008 film The Clone Wars, the television continuation, and two spin-off video games (Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes{{cite video game | title = Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Republic Heroes | title-link=Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Republic Heroes | developer=Krome Studios | publisher = LucasArts | scene=Closing credits, 2:30 in, Voice Talent | date = 6 October 2009 }} and Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels). Supervising director Dave Filoni said that Abercrombie was very excited that Darth Sidious finally was going to be seen in person and not as a hologram anymore. During Celebration VI, Filoni mentioned that before his death, Abercrombie recorded for most of season five as the character, but did not finish, so actor Tim Curry was brought in to voice Palpatine. Abercrombie also voiced the character in the Clovis story arc of the Lost Missions (season six), since it was originally a part of the season four, and later the season five, line-up. This was his final released work, shown in 2014.
Personal life
In 1956, Abercrombie was married to Elizabeth Romano and they divorced in 1978 after 22 years of marriage. {{cn|date=January 2024}} In 1984, he was married to Gladys Abercrombie until his death in 2012.{{cn|date=January 2024}}
Death
Abercrombie died from kidney failure in Los Angeles, California at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on 26 January 2012, twenty days after the Wizards of Waverly Place finale. He was 77. He had recently been diagnosed with lymphoma.{{cite news|last=Barnes|first=Mike|title=Ian Abercrombie, Elaine's Boss on 'Seinfeld', Dies at 77|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ian-abercrombie-dies-seinfeld-elaine-boss-285386|access-date=28 January 2012|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=27 January 2012}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/01/28/seinfeld-actor-ian-abercrombie-dead-at-77/|title='Seinfeld' actor Ian Abercrombie dead at 77|last=Rice|first=Lynette|date=28 January 2012|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=9 May 2022}}
Star Wars Celebration VI included the panel "Vocal Stars of The Clone Wars", hosted by James Arnold Taylor and featuring cast members Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, Dee Bradley Baker and Tom Kane, who all dedicated the panel to Abercrombie. Additionally, The Clone Wars episode "The Lawless" includes a dedication to Abercrombie in the opening titles.{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=2013-02-02 |title=Star Wars: The Clone Wars - "The Lawless" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/02/star-wars-the-clone-wars-the-lawless-review |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=IGN |language=en}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
!Title !Role !Notes |
|---|
| 1965
| English POW | Uncredited |
| 1968
| Star! | Man in Brixton Music Hall | Uncredited |
| 1969
| They Shoot Horses, Don't They? | Male Dancer #74 | Uncredited |
| 1970
| Stock Actor | Uncredited |
| 1973
| Eddie the Room Service Waiter | Uncredited |
| rowspan="2" | 1974
| Second Villager | Uncredited |
| The Island at the Top of the World
| Train Conductor | Uncredited |
| 1977
| Sextette | Rex Ambrose | |
| 1979
| Johann | |
| rowspan="2" | 1980
| The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood | Denis | |
| Blood Beach
| Man in Mayor's Office | |
| 1981
| Getting Even | Mr. Kenwood | |
| 1983
| Flicks | Inspector | Segment: "Whodunit" |
| 1984
| Hymie | |
| rowspan="2" | 1986
| Maître d' | |
| Firewalker
| Boggs | |
| 1988
| Brother Orsini | |
| 1989
| Warlock | Magistrate #1 | |
| 1990
| Iced Tea Waiter | Uncredited |
| rowspan="3" | 1991
| Zandalee | Louis Medina | |
| Puppet Master III
| Dr. Hess | |
| Rolling Thunder
| | |
| rowspan="2" | 1992
| Mr. Brown | |
| Army of Darkness
| Wise Man | |
| rowspan="3" | 1993
| Grief | Stanley | |
| Time Babes
| Professor Doran | |
| Addams Family Values
| Driver | |
| 1994
| Leader | |
| 1995
| Additional voices | Uncredited |
| rowspan="3" | 1997
| The Lost World: Jurassic Park | Butler | |
| Mouse Hunt
| Auctioneer | |
| Johnny Mysto: Boy Wizard{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/johnny-mysto-boy-wizard/cast/2000004896/|title=Johnny Mysto: Boy Wizard - Full Cast & Crew|publisher=TV Guide|accessdate=December 13, 2023}}
|Merlin |
| 1999
| British Dignitary | |
| 2000
| Jack Frost 2: Revenge of the Mutant Killer Snowman | Psychiatrist | Direct-to-video |
| rowspan="2" | 2001
| Blasphemy the Movie | Zues | |
| Shrek
| Additional voices | |
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School | Evrin Sezgin | |
| The L.A. Riot Spectacular
| Auctioneer | |
| rowspan="2" | 2006
| Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties | Smithee | |
| Inland Empire
| Henry The Butler | |
| rowspan="2" | 2007
| Trust Me | Teitelbaum | |
| Hard Four
| Jack Ermine | |
| 2008 |
| 2010
| Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | Professor Swoopstikes | Short film |
| 2011
| Rango | Ambrose |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
!Title !Role !Notes |
|---|
| 1977–1983
| McShane / Inspector Lestrade / Bartender | 3 episodes |
| 1978
| Forger 7 | Episode: "The Long Patrol" |
| 1981
| Caterer | Episode: "Secrets" |
| rowspan="3" | 1982
| Lord Bates | Television film |
| Voyagers!
| Bitiatus | Episode: "Created Equal" |
| The Devlin Connection
| Auctioneer | Episode: "The French Detective" |
| rowspan="3" | 1983
| Oscar | Episode: "Hello, Pfisters" |
| Journey's End
| | Television film |
| Tucker's Witch
| Doorman | Episode: "Dye Job" |
| rowspan="2" | 1984
| Lawyer | Episode: "The Heiress" |
| Divorce Court
| | 2 episodes |
| 1984–1985
| Philip / Butler | 15 episodes |
| rowspan="3" | 1985
| Airwolf | Lord Killebrew | Episode: "Inn at the End of the Road" |
| Kicks
| Barnes | Television film |
| Who's The Boss?
| Leo | Episode: "Angela's Ex: Part 2" |
| 1987
| Fate | Episode: "Fate" |
| rowspan="2" | 1988
| Frog | Dr. Fritsky | Television film |
| Hunter
| George Cooper | Episode: "The Black Dahlia" |
| rowspan="2" | 1989
| Lemieux | Episode: "Old Haunts in the New Age" |
| Alf
| British Announcer | Episode: "Mind Games" |
| rowspan="3" | 1990
| Fulton | Episode: "The Switch" |
| Twin Peaks
| Tom Brockman | Episode: "#2.6" |
| The Flash
| Skip | Episode: "Ghost in the Machine" |
| 1994–1998
| Seinfeld | Justin Pitt |
| 1995
| Correlilmurzon | Episode: "Acts of Sacrifice" |
| rowspan="3" | 1996
| Rattled | Dr. Semkins | Television film |
| A Face to Die For
| Mr. Sturetsky | Television film |
| Party Girl
| Mr. Davenport | Episode: "Virgin Mary" |
| 1997
| George Taylor | Episode: "Inherit the Wind" |
| 1997–2002
| Hotel Manager / Jeweller / Mr. Simkins / Lawyer | 4 episodes |
| 1997
| Nigel | Episode: "Acting Out" |
| rowspan="3" | 1998
| Cadbury | Episode: "The Secret of Management" |
| Buffy the Vampire Slayer
| Old Man / German Boss | Episode: "Homecoming" |
| Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
| Emile | Episode: "The Mummy/The Perfect Record/Grave Sitting/Murder on the Second Floor/They Towed My Car" |
| 1999–2000
| Abbot / Milo | 2 episodes |
| 2000
| Arthur | Episode: "The Step Mummy" |
| 2001
| Donnie Thursday | Episodes: "Time in a Bottle" and "Happy Together" |
| rowspan="4" | 2002
| George | Episode: "Acts of Mercy" |
| The Random Years
| Sir Milton Pith | Episode: "Don't Make Me Have Sex in the Hamptons" |
| Chromiumblue.com
| Sir George | 13 episodes |
| The District
| Leon | Episode: "Old Wounds" |
| 2002–2003
| 14 episodes |
| 2003
| Nip/Tuck | Cyril Parks | Episode: "Escobar Gallardo" |
| 2004
| Charmed | Aramis, Member of The Tribunal | Episode: "Crimes and Witch-Demeanors" |
| 2005
| The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy | F | Voice, episode: "Scythe 2.0" |
| rowspan="2" | 2006
| Ewan |
| Desperate Housewives
| Rupert Cavanaugh | Episode: "Beautiful Girls" |
| 2007–2012
| Professor Crumbs | 10 episodes |
| 2008
| Episode: "The Goat" |
| 2008–2014
| Chancellor Palpatine / Darth Sidious |
| rowspan="2" | 2011
| Butler | Episode: "Run, Dr. Lola Spratt, Run" |
| Happily Divorced
| Victor | Episode: "Spousal Support" |
| 2011–2013
| Green Lantern: The Animated Series | Ganthet |
=Video games=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
!Title !Role !Notes |
|---|
| 2002
| Alexander Mayhew | |
| 2004
| Narrator | |
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| Area 51 | Dr. Winston Cray |
| Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None
| Thomas Rogers, General Mackenzie | Based on the novel of the same name. |
| 2008
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Lightsaber Duels | Darth Sidious | |
| 2009
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Republic Heroes | Chancellor Palpatine / Darth Sidious | |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|718}}
- {{TCMDb name|246%7C175072}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abercrombie, Ian}}
Category:Military personnel from Essex
Category:20th-century English male actors
Category:21st-century English male actors
Category:English expatriate male actors in the United States
Category:Deaths from kidney failure in California
Category:English male film actors
Category:English male stage actors
Category:English male television actors
Category:English male voice actors
Category:Male actors from Essex
Category:People from Grays, Essex
Category:United States Army soldiers