Person
Ernie Sabella
Acting · Born 1949-09-19 · Westchester, New York, USA
Biography
Ernest Sabella (born September 19, 1949) is an American actor, who is best known for his role as the voice of Pumbaa from The Lion King franchise voicing the character in all media except the 2019 and 2024 films. He is also recognized for his work in Broadway theatre, including starring roles in Guys and Dolls and Man of La Mancha.
Known for
Seinfeld
Naked Man
The Good Wife
Murray
Married... with Children
Mr. Pond
Hunter
Earnie
Saturday Night Live
Self (uncredited)
Quantum Leap
Manny / Sancho Panza
Coach
Ernie
Cheers
Stan
Alice
1976
Murphy Brown
Julian
Filmography
- 2025The Lion King at the Hollywood BowlSelf
- 2021Show of Titles"Man of La Mancha" Performer
- 2016Bakery in BrooklynDave
- 2016The Lion Guard: Return of the RoarPumbaa (voice)
- 2016The Lion GuardPumbaa (voice)
- 2013Wild About Safety: Timon and Pumbaa Safety Smart Honest and Real!Pumbaa (voice)
- 2013Wild About Safety: Timon and Pumbaa Safety Smart on the Go!Pumbaa (voice)
- 2012Wild About Safety: Timon and Pumbaa Safety Smart Online!Pumbaa (voice)
- 2010Listen to Your HeartTony
- 2009The Good WifeMurray
- 2009Waking Sleeping BeautySelf (archive footage)
- 2009Wild About Safety: Timon and Pumbaa Safety Smart in the Water!Pumbaa (voice)
- 2009Wild About Safety: Timon and Pumbaa Safety Smart Goes Green!Pumbaa (voice)
- 2008Wild About Safety: Timon and Pumbaa Safety Smart at Home!Pumbaa (voice)
- 2008Wild About Safety with Timon & PumbaaPumbaa
- 2008Wild About Safety: Timon and Pumbaa Safety Smart Healthy & Fit!Pumbaa (voice)
- 2004The Lion King 1½Pumbaa (voice)
- 2004Broadway's Lost Treasures IIHarry The Horse (segment "Guys & Dolls")
- 2004Timon & Pumbaa Virtual Safari 2.0Pumbaa (voice)
- 2004Timon & Pumbaa's Virtual Safari 1.5Pumbaa (voice)
- 2004Behind the Legend: TimonPumbaa (voice)
- 2003Timon & Pumba's Virtual SafariPumbaa (voice)
- 2003That's So RavenMr. Petracelli
- 2001Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of MousePumbaa (voice)
- 2001Disney's House of MousePumbaa (voice)
- 2000EdGary Swirdlock
- 1999ProvidenceLou Keppler
- 1998The Lion King II: Simba's PridePumbaa (voice)
- 1998Encore! Encore!Leo Wodecki
- 1997A Magical Walt Disney World ChristmasSelf
- 1997MouseHuntMaury
- 1997In & OutAldo Hooper
- 1997On Holiday With Timon & PumbaaPumbaa (Voice)
- 1997The PracticeAtty. Harland Bassett
- 1996Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas ParadeSelf
- 1996Dining Out with Timon & PumbaaPumbaa (Voice)
- 1996Around the World With Timon & PumbaaPumbaa (Voice)
- 1995Stand By MePumbaa (voice)
- 1995Timon and PumbaaPumbaa (voice)
- 1995RoommatesStash
- 1995Circle of Life: An Environmental FablePumba
- 1994Quiz ShowCar Salesman
- 1994The Lion KingPumbaa (voice)
- 1992Just My ImaginationArnold Mayer
- 1992Guys and Dolls: Off the RecordHimself / Harry the Horse
- 1992Mad About YouMaurice
- 1991Going UnderThe Mole
- 1990FaithStanley
- 1989Saved by the BellLeon Carosi
- 1989SeinfeldNaked Man
- 1989Quantum LeapManny / Sancho Panza
- 1989CoachErnie
- 1989A Fine RomanceGeorge Shipman
- 1988Murphy BrownJulian
- 1988Fright Night Part 2Dr. Scott Harrison
- 1987A Different WorldCampus Policeman
- 1987She's the Sheriff
- 1987Married... with ChildrenMr. Pond
- 1987RoxieVito Carteri
- 1986Tough GuysHotel Clerk
- 1986Sledge Hammer!Al Fresco
- 1986Perfect StrangersDonald Twinkacetti
- 1985CopacabanaSam Gropper
- 1984It's Your MoveLou Donatelli
- 1984HunterEarnie
- 1984Punky Brewster
- 1983Hardcastle and McCormickClyde Whitley
- 1982The New Odd CouplePoliceman
- 1982St. ElsewherePatient
- 1982Newhart
- 1982CheersStan
- 1982Cagney & Lacey
- 1981Hill Street Blues
- 1980Little Johnny JonesSing Song
- 1980The Robber BridegroomBig Harp
- 1979Knots LandingFrank Edmunds
- 1979The Facts of Life
- 1979Broadway on ShowtimeBig Harp
- 1978Diff'rent Strokes
- 1976Alice
- 1975Saturday Night LiveSelf (uncredited)
- 1953The OscarsSelf
Follow their work on Vescene
Rate films and shows on two axes — quality and fun — and share taste with friends.