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Rodger Bumpass

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Rodger Bumpass
Bumpass in 2024
Born (1951-11-20) November 20, 1951 (age 73)
Other namesRoger Bumpass
Alma materArkansas State University (BA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1977–present
Spouse
Angela VanZandt
(m. 2019)

Rodger Bumpass (born November 20, 1951)[1] is an American actor. He is known for his role as Squidward Tentacles on the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. He voices several other characters on the show as well, including the purple doctor fish and various anchovies.

He also voiced The Chief in the animated series Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?, Professor Membrane from Invader Zim and Mr. Besser, the school principal in the animated series The Kids from Room 402. Bumpass has many other credits in animated films, animated television series, and video games.

Early life

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Rodger Bumpass was born on November 20, 1951, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Carroll C. (1924–2009) and Virginia Cathey Bumpass (1921–2004).[2][3][4] He had two siblings, one of whom was stillborn. His parents ran a dry cleaning business. He described his mother as “the life of the family” and his father “a typical Southern male with Southern male disgust“ but added that he was loving and giving.[4] As a child, Bumpass idolized Mel Blanc and would do impressions of Looney Tunes characters as well as other cartoon characters. He memorized the comedy albums of Jonathan Winters and Bill Cosby and was inspired by Tim Conway’s physical comedy.[5][6]

Bumpass attended Little Rock Central High School, where he received his first training in theater. He then majored in radio–TV and minored in theater at Arkansas State University. He worked at the campus radio station and also at Jonesboro's ABC affiliated television station, KAIT-TV, where he had multiple duties as announcer, film processor, cameraman, audio technician, and technical director.[4] While at KAIT, Bumpass also wrote, produced, and performed in a late-night comedy program called Mid-Century Nonsense Festival Featuring Kumquat Theater.[7] He graduated from A-State in 1976, and when encouraged by an A-State professor to consider professional theater, he moved to New York in June 1977.[4]

Career

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Bumpass in 2009

Bumpass has been voicing and acting in films since the 1960s and has also appeared on stage through the mid-1970s until the late 1980s.[4][8][9] He is also known for voicing The Chief from Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?, Doctor Light on Teen Titans, and Professor Membrane on Invader Zim.[4]

In the late 1970s, Bumpass was involved with a number of National Lampoon productions. In 1977, he won a role in the National Lampoon music and comedy road show That's Not Funny, That's Sick[10][11] and toured with them until 1978. That same year, he appeared in the National Lampoon TV special Disco Beaver from Outer Space for HBO. In 1979, Bumpass was cast as the leading role in a National Lampoon film to be called Jaws 3, People 0 in which he would have a love scene with Bo Derek. However, the film was canceled due to objections by the creators of the movie Jaws.[4] In 1980, Bumpass created the character of 'Fartman' to appear on the National Lampoon LP The White Album, which later inspired the Howard Stern character by the same name.[12]

Bumpass is best known to present-day viewers as the voice of Squidward Tentacles and various incidental characters on the Nickelodeon animated comedy series SpongeBob SquarePants.[13][14]

In 2012, Bumpass received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for his role as Squidward.[15]

Personal life

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On July 27, 2019, Bumpass married Angela VanZandt, with whom he attended high school fifty years prior.[16]

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On January 15, 2016, Bumpass was arrested for alleged DUI in Burbank, California. A police report of the incident alleged that officers of the Burbank Police Department found Bumpass in his car in the middle of the road. He was said to have been leaning against the vehicle, and when officers approached him for questioning, he attempted to walk away and lost his balance (nearly falling to the ground). Bumpass admitted to drinking and driving after leaving a Burbank bar before the police spotted him, and he was soon handcuffed after failing a sobriety test. His blood alcohol levels were said to be more than twice the legal limit. He was later released on a $15,000 bail shortly the next morning.[17][18][19]

The incident was first reported by celebrity gossip website TMZ several days after it occurred, on January 19. A day later, Bumpass alleged to the website that the police had lied about the DUI report, claiming that he was not leaning against his car when officers spotted him, and that he was being tailed and pulled over by the officers before his arrest, though he did confess again to the DUI charge. Nickelodeon representatives were notified of the incident by Bumpass, but did not release any immediate comments or actions regarding the matter.[20]

On January 25, 2016, ten days after the incident, Nickelodeon representatives confirmed to TMZ that Bumpass would remain on SpongeBob SquarePants for the foreseeable future. The representatives alleged that the network did not consider DUI charges to be an immoral act, and thus Bumpass was not legally subject to termination.[21]

Filmography

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Live action roles

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1981 Escape from New York Dancer Credited as Roger Bumpass
1986 National Lampoon's Class of '86 [22]
1987 The Running Man Phil Hilton
1996 Bio-Dome Narrator
1999 Baby Huey's Great Easter Adventure Baby Huey (in-suit performer), Irv Direct-to-video

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1978 Disco Beaver from Outer Space Television film
1981 Two Reelers Roger Television film[23]
1983 Wizards and Warriors Prisoner Episode: "The Dungeon of Death"
1984 Footlight Frenzy Benny the Stage Manager, Johnny Chicago Television film
1984 Hot Flashes Chuck Fodder 5 episodes[24]
1988 What Price Victory Television film
1992 Silk Stalkings Jack Fellman Episode: "Shock Jock"
1994 Shadow of Obsession Custodian Television film
1995 Hart to Hart: Secrets of the Hart Higgins
2002 Santa Jr. Wally Fisk
2003 Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure Lab Visitor, Plumber, Air Controller
2004 Just Desserts Boz Roswell
Murder Without Conviction Patrick Talley, Jr.
A Boyfriend for Christmas Russell Parker
2007 Marco Polo Rustigielo

Voice over roles

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1981 Heavy Metal Hannover Fiste, Dr. Anrak[25] Credited as Roger Bumpass
1984 Robo Force: The Revenge of Nazgar Mark Fury
1992 Porco Rosso Blond Pirate English dub
1994 The Super Dave Superbowl of Knowledge Additional voices Television film
1995 Theodore Rex Additional voices
1996 The Hunchback of Notre Dame Frollo's Soldiers
1997 Hercules Man pointing at Young Hercules
1997 Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas Additional voices Direct-to-video
1998 Quest for Camelot Additional voices
1998 A Bug's Life Harry Mosquito
1998 Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World Additional voices Direct-to-video
1999 Doug's 1st Movie Additional voices
1999 Toy Story 2 Clerk
1999 The Iron Giant Maine Man, Rick the Soldier
1999 Tarzan Elephant #2, David credited as Roger Bumpass
1999 Scooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost Perkins Direct-to-video
1999 The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man Dr. Octopus
2000 Titan A.E Additional Vocals Uncredited
2000 The Emperor's New Groove Male Villager #8, Male Villager #1
2001 Atlantis: The Lost Empire Mr. Hickenbottom, Chief of the Watch ADR Group
2001 Spirited Away Foreman 2002 English dub
2001 Monsters, Inc. CDA, News Anchor
2001 Osmosis Jones Announcer for Nerve News Network
2001 Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius Additional Voices Uncredited
2002 Cinderella II: Dreams Come True King's Guards Direct-to-video
2002 The Hunchback of Notre Dame II Frollo's Soldiers Direct-to-video
Uncredited
2002 Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron Colonel's Soldiers
2002 Treasure Planet Turnbuckle, Police Robot #1
2002 Lilo & Stitch Man
2003 Brother Bear Male Bear #2
2004 The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Squidward Tentacles[25]
2004 The Incredibles Mr. Incredible's Lawyer
2006 Curious George Hunter #1
2006 Cars Claude Scruggs
2006 Ice Age: The Meltdown Various Mammals
2009 The Haunted World of El Superbeasto Screaming Patron[25] Direct-to-video
(credited as Roger Bumpass)
2010 Kung-Fu Magoo General Smith, Driver[25]
2013 Monsters University Jerry Jablonski
2015 The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water[26] Squidward Tentacles
2019 Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus Professor Membrane[25] Netflix film
2020 The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run Squidward Tentacles[25]
2021 Seal Team Sharks[25]
2024 Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie Squidward Tentacles[27] Netflix film
2025 Plankton: The Movie
2025 The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants [28]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1984 Alvin and the Chipmunks Additional voices 13 episodes
1985 The Jetsons Additional voices Episode: "Elroy in Wonderland"
1987 Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures Additional voices 17 episodes
1989 Ring Raiders Scorch 5 episodes
1989–1991 The Real Ghostbusters Louis Tully 12 episodes
1991 TaleSpin Dr. Axolotl Episode: "Bullethead Baloo"
1991 Tiny Toon Adventures Ronald Grump Episode: "Pollution Solution"[25]
1991 Toxic Crusaders Toxie, Dr. Killemoff 13 episodes
Credited as Roger Bumpass
1992 Petal to the Metal Grumbles Short
1992 Raw Toonage Grumbles the Grizzly 13 episodes
1993 Batman: The Animated Series Hoffman Episode: "Paging the Crime Doctor"
1993 Problem Child Additional voices Television series short
1993–1994 Bonkers Grumbles Grizzly 10 episodes
1994 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Titanus 3 episodes
1994–1999 Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego? Chief 40 episodes[25]
1995 Timon & Pumbaa Savage Lion Episode: "You Ghana Join the Club"
1996 Quack Pack Countdown Voice Episode: "None Like It Hot"
1997 101 Dalmatians: The Series Additional voices Unknown episodes
1998 The Angry Beavers Elephant, Sentry Episode: "Zooing Time"
1998 CatDog Pig, Man Episode: "CatDogPig"
1998 Oh Yeah! Cartoons Ravenrant, Radio DJ, Announcer, Cyclops 2 episodes[25]
1998 Monster Farm Rex, Frankenswine [25]
1999 Rugrats Uncle Freddy Episode: "Brothers Are Monsters"[25]
1999–present SpongeBob SquarePants Squidward Tentacles, various characters [25]
1999–2000 The Kids from Room 402 Principal Besser 13 episodes[25]
2000 Batman Beyond Cop Episode: "Betrayal"[25]
2001 Time Squad Socrates Episode: "Feud for Thought"
2001–2003 Invader Zim Professor Membrane, others 18 episodes[25]
2002 The Zeta Project Submarine Captain Episode: "The Hologram Man"[25]
2002 3-South Additional voices Episode: "College Material"
2003–2005 Teen Titans Doctor Light 3 episodes[25]
2003–2008 ChalkZone Biclops / Man 10 episodes
2005 What's New, Scooby-Doo? Steve Episode: "Gentlemen, Start Your Monsters"
2007–2008 Yin Yang Yo! The Lesson 2 episodes
2008 Random! Cartoons Lemurman Episode: "Mind the Kitty"[25]
2010 Chuggington Additional voices
2012 Gravity Falls Various characters
2013–present Teen Titans Go! Doctor Light Recurring role[25]
2014–2020 Doc McStuffins Army Al 10 episodes[25]
2015 We Bare Bears Theater Manager Episode: "Shush Ninjas"
2015–2016 Mixels Flamzer, Naut, Major Nixel, Gate Keepe, Narrator, others[25] 2 episodes
2021–2024 Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years Squidward Tentacles, Regigilled, various characters[25]
2021–present The Patrick Star Show Squidward Tentacles, Capt. Doug Quasar, Daddy Dartfish, various characters[25]

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
1995 Carmen Sandiego: Junior Detective Chief
2000 Sacrifice Gammel
2001 SpongeBob SquarePants: Operation Krabby Patty Squidward Tentacles[25]
SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSponge
2002 Blood Omen 2 Magnus[25]
Command & Conquer: Renegade Gen. Gideon Raveshaw[25]
SpongeBob SquarePants: Employee of the Month Squidward Tentacles[25]
SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman
Treasure Planet: Battle at Procyon Zirrelian Crew, Zirrelian Mayor, Arcturian Commander[25]
2003 Nickelodeon Toon Twister 3-D Squidward Tentacles[25]
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando The Unknown, Inventor[25]
2004 X-Men Legends Sentinel, Scientist
SpongeBob SquarePants: Typing Squidward Tentacles[25]
2005 Teen Titans Doctor Light[25]
SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, Pants! Squidward Tentacles[25] Credited as Roger Bumpass
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie: The Video Game
2006 Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island
2007 SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis
Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer Additional voices
Buzz!: The Mega Quiz Greg[25]
2008 SpongeBob SquarePants featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom Squidward Tentacles, Professor Membrane[25]
2009 SpongeBob's Truth or Square[25] Squidward Tentacles
2010 Spongebob's Boating Bash
Dead to Rights: Retribution Redwater, Cops, Brawlers [29]
2013 SpongeBob SquarePants: Plankton's Robotic Revenge Squidward Tentacles, Captain[25]
SpongeBob Moves In! Squidward Tentacles
2015 SpongeBob HeroPants[25]
2018 Lego DC Super-Villains Doctor Arthur Light
2020 SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated Squidward Tentacles Archival recordings
2022 Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway[25]
2023 SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake Squidward Tentacles, Anchovies, Kids[25]
2023 Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 Squidward Tentacles[25]
2024 SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game Squidward Tentacles [30]

Awards and nominations

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References

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  1. ^ "Rotten Tomatoes: Movies | TV Shows | Movie Trailers | Reviews - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes.
  2. ^ "Carroll Bumpass - Obituary - Smith Family Funeral Homes". www.smithfamilycares.com.
  3. ^ "Virginia Bumpass Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information". Legacy.com. December 30, 2004.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Rodger Bumpass (1951–)". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  5. ^ Reardon, Samantha (September 8, 2013). "Rodger Bumpass is Squidward Tentacles". The Signal. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  6. ^ "HIGH PROFILE: Rodger Bumpass, Little Rock native who voices Squidward on 'SpongeBob SquarePants' | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette". October 21, 2018.
  7. ^ "Reports of Death of Squidward's "Voice" Premature". KAIT. August 28, 2006. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  8. ^ Drake, Sylvie (April 2, 1987). "Low Moan Farce Almost Nimble Bumbles In 'Footlight Frenzy'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 21, 2009.[dead link]
  9. ^ Churnin, Nancy (September 19, 1989). "Old Globe Gets 24 Nominations From Critics". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  10. ^ McLellan, Joseph (October 11, 1977). "Laugh-a-Minute Lampoon". Lifestyle. The Washington Post.
  11. ^ Wilson, John S. (December 15, 1977). "Revue: Lampooners". The New York Times. p. C20.
  12. ^ Dawson, Jim (1999). Who Cut the Cheese?: A Cultural History of the Fart (illustrated ed.). Ten Speed Press. p. 134. ISBN 9781580080118. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  13. ^ Cavazos, Norma (August 23, 2001). "Television Q&A". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  14. ^ "SpongeBob SquarePants". Boxoffice Prophets. November 19, 2004. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  15. ^ "The 39th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Award Nominations" (PDF). Emmy Award. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  16. ^ "Angela VanZandt and Rodger Bumpass's Wedding Website". www.theknot.com.
  17. ^ staff, ABC7 com (January 20, 2016). "Rodger Bumpass from 'SpongeBob SquarePants' arrested for suspicion of DUI, police records say". ABC7 Los Angeles.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "Rodger Bumpass, voice of Squidward on 'SpongeBob SquarePants,' arrested for alleged DUI". EW.com.
  19. ^ "'SpongeBob SquarePants'' voice of Squidward held on suspicion of DUI". Los Angeles Times. January 20, 2016.
  20. ^ "'SpongeBob SquarePants' Squidward Tentacles -- Claims Cops Lied in DUI Arrest". TMZ. January 20, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  21. ^ "'SpongeBob SquarePants' -- DUI Bust Won't Cost Squidward His Job". TMZ. January 25, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  22. ^ Bruckner, D. J. R. (May 25, 1986). "LAMPOON'S 'CLASS OF '86'". New York Times. paragraph 6. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  23. ^ "Friday". St. Petersberg Times. August 26, 1981. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  24. ^ "National Lampoon's Hot Flashes". Ocala Star-Banner. June 12, 1984. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  25. ^ 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 an ao ap "Rodger Bumpass (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved July 15, 2021. 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 credits or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  26. ^ Gallagher, Brian (July 11, 2013). "The Spongebob Squarepants Movie 2 Sets Up Shop in Savannah, Georgia - MovieWeb.com". MovieWeb.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  27. ^ "Netflix Announces 'Plankton: The Movie' Set in the 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Universe". June 6, 2024.
  28. ^ "'The Smurfs Movie' Sets Starry Cast to Join Rihanna; Dave Bautista, Eric Nam Board 'Airbender' Franchise". The Hollywood Reporter. April 11, 2024.
  29. ^ Volatile Games. Dead to Rights: Retribution. Namco Bandai Games. Scene: Ending credits, 2:28 and 2:58 in, Voice Over Cast.
  30. ^ "SpongeBob SquarePants™: The Patrick Star Game - Announce".
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