Rodger Bumpass
Rodger Bumpass | |
|---|---|
 Bumpass in 2024 | |
| Born | November 20, 1951 Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Other names | Roger Bumpass |
| Alma mater | Arkansas State University (BA) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1977–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, on which he also provides several other voices.
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 amassed credits on other animated films, animated television series, and video games, and reprises the role of Squidward Tentacles in all SpongeBob SquarePants associated media.
Early life
[edit]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
[edit]
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 Teen Titans Go along with 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]
He has also lent his voice in multiple Pixar films such as A Bugs Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc.,The Incredibles, Cars and Monsters University. He has given additional voices to shows such as Gravity Falls, Rugrats, Alvin and the Chipmunks and Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures.
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] He has also voiced Squidward in the SpongeBob film series along with spinoff films.
In 2012, Bumpass received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for his role as Squidward.[15]
The show celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019. In celebration, a television special was aired, titled "SpongeBob's Big Birthday Blowout". One scene includes each of the show's main characters' voice actors portraying live-action versions of their characters. While not the first Spongebob Squarepants episode that blended animated sequences with live-action characters, this the first time that the characters' voice actors have all played a live-action scene all together.[16]
Personal life
[edit]On July 27, 2019, Bumpass married Angela VanZandt, with whom he attended high school fifty years prior.[17]
In February 2022, Bumpass received a special tribute at the Arkansas State Capitol. With the Arkansas Senate passed Resolution 25, recognizing his accomplishments for his iconic voice work as Squidward. The moment was made even more memorable when he responded in character, delivering the University of Arkansas "Woo Pig Sooie!" cheer.[18]
Legal issues
[edit]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.[19][20][21]
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.[22]
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.[23]
Filmography
[edit]Live action roles
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Escape from New York | Dancer | Credited as Roger Bumpass |
| 1986 | National Lampoon's Class of '86 | [24] | |
| 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
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Disco Beaver from Outer Space | Television film | |
| 1981 | Two Reelers | Roger | Television film[25] |
| 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[26] |
| 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
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Heavy Metal | Hannover Fiste, Dr. Anrak[27] | 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 | 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 #1 and Male Villager #8 | |
| 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 | |
| 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[27] | |
| 2004 | The Incredibles | Mr. Incredible's Lawyer | |
| 2006 | Curious George | Hunter #1 | |
| 2006 | Ice Age: The Meltdown | Various Mammals | |
| 2006 | Cars | Claude Scruggs | |
| 2009 | The Haunted World of El Superbeasto | Screaming Patron[27] | Direct-to-video (credited as Roger Bumpass) |
| 2010 | Kung-Fu Magoo | General Smith, Driver[27] | |
| 2013 | Monsters University | Jerry Jablonski | |
| 2015 | The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water[28] | Squidward Tentacles | |
| 2019 | Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus | Professor Membrane[27] | Netflix film |
| 2020 | The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run | Squidward Tentacles[27] | |
| 2021 | Seal Team | Sharks[27] | |
| 2024 | Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie | Squidward Tentacles, Butch, Police Loudspeaker, Bikini Bottomite[29][27] | Netflix film |
| 2025 | Plankton: The Movie | Squidward Tentacles, Fish Troop, Goofy Goober Employee [30] | |
| 2025 | Order Up | Squidward Tentacles[31] | |
| 2025 | The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants | Squidward Tentacles[32] |
Television
[edit]| 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"[27] |
| 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[27] |
| 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"[33] |
| 1998 | Oh Yeah! Cartoons | Ravenrant, Radio DJ, Announcer, Cyclops | 2 episodes[27] |
| 1998 | Monster Farm | Rex, Frankenswine | [27] |
| 1999 | Rugrats | Uncle Freddy | Episode: "Brothers Are Monsters"[27] |
| 1999–present | SpongeBob SquarePants | Squidward Tentacles, various characters | [27] |
| 1999–2000 | The Kids from Room 402 | Principal Besser | 13 episodes[27] |
| 2000 | Batman Beyond | Cop | Episode: "Betrayal"[27] |
| 2001 | Time Squad | Socrates | Episode: "Feud for Thought" |
| 2001–2003 | Invader Zim | Professor Membrane, others | 18 episodes[27] |
| 2002 | The Zeta Project | Submarine Captain | Episode: "The Hologram Man"[27] |
| 2002 | 3-South | Additional voices | Episode: "College Material" |
| 2003–2005 | Teen Titans | Doctor Light | 3 episodes[27] |
| 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"[27] |
| 2010 | Chuggington | Additional voices | |
| 2012 | Gravity Falls | Various characters | |
| 2013–present | Teen Titans Go! | Doctor Light | Recurring role[27] |
| 2014–2020 | Doc McStuffins | Army Al | 10 episodes[27] |
| 2015 | We Bare Bears | Theater Manager | Episode: "Shush Ninjas" |
| 2015–2016 | Mixels | Flamzer, Naut, Major Nixel, Gate Keepe, Narrator, others[27] | 2 episodes |
| 2021–2024 | Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years | Squidward Tentacles, Regigilled, various characters[27] | |
| 2021–present | The Patrick Star Show | Squidward Tentacles, Capt. Doug Quasar, Daddy Dartfish, various characters[27] |
Video games
[edit]Awards and nominations
[edit]- 2012 – Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program – Nominated
- 2013 — Behind the Voice Actors Awards Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Children's/Educational for SquarePants Sqaurepants — Nominated
- 2016 — Behind the Voice Actors Awards for Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: for The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water — Nominated
References
[edit]- ^ "Rotten Tomatoes: Movies | TV Shows | Movie Trailers | Reviews - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ "Carroll Bumpass - Obituary - Smith Family Funeral Homes". www.smithfamilycares.com.
- ^ "Virginia Bumpass Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information". Legacy.com. December 30, 2004.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Rodger Bumpass (1951–)". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
- ^ Reardon, Samantha (September 8, 2013). "Rodger Bumpass is Squidward Tentacles". The Signal. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
- ^ "HIGH PROFILE: Rodger Bumpass, Little Rock native who voices Squidward on 'SpongeBob SquarePants' | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette". October 21, 2018.
- ^ "Reports of Death of Squidward's "Voice" Premature". KAIT. August 28, 2006. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
- ^ Drake, Sylvie (April 2, 1987). "Low Moan Farce Almost Nimble Bumbles In 'Footlight Frenzy'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 21, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ 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.
- ^ McLellan, Joseph (October 11, 1977). "Laugh-a-Minute Lampoon". Lifestyle. The Washington Post.
- ^ Wilson, John S. (December 15, 1977). "Revue: Lampooners". The New York Times. p. C20.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Cavazos, Norma (August 23, 2001). "Television Q&A". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
- ^ "SpongeBob SquarePants". Boxoffice Prophets. November 19, 2004. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
- ^ "The 39th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Award Nominations" (PDF). Emmy Award. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
- ^ Flores, Terry (July 10, 2019). "'SpongeBob' Voice Cast on Acting Together in Live-Action for the First Time for 20th Anniversary Special". Variety. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ "Angela VanZandt and Rodger Bumpass's Wedding Website". www.theknot.com.
- ^ "Arkansas native Rodger Bumpass, voice of Squidward, honored at state capitol". thv11.com. February 24, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ ABC7.com staff (January 20, 2016). "Rodger Bumpass from 'SpongeBob SquarePants' arrested for suspicion of DUI, police records say". ABC7 Los Angeles.
- ^ "Rodger Bumpass, voice of Squidward on 'SpongeBob SquarePants,' arrested for alleged DUI". EW.com.
- ^ "'SpongeBob SquarePants'' voice of Squidward held on suspicion of DUI". Los Angeles Times. January 20, 2016.
- ^ "'SpongeBob SquarePants' Squidward Tentacles -- Claims Cops Lied in DUI Arrest". TMZ. January 20, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
- ^ "'SpongeBob SquarePants' -- DUI Bust Won't Cost Squidward His Job". TMZ. January 25, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
- ^ Bruckner, D. J. R. (May 25, 1986). "LAMPOON'S 'CLASS OF '86'". New York Times. paragraph 6. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
- ^ "Friday". St. Petersberg Times. August 26, 1981. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
- ^ "National Lampoon's Hot Flashes". Ocala Star-Banner. June 12, 1984. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
- ^ 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 aq "Rodger Bumpass (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors (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). Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Netflix Announces 'Plankton: The Movie' Set in the 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Universe". June 6, 2024.
- ^ "Plankton: The Movie".
- ^ O'Rourke, Ryan (June 9, 2025). "Never-Before-Seen 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Short "Order Up" Is Coming to Theaters With 'Smurfs' [Exclusive]". Collider. Archived from the original on June 9, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
- ^ "'The Smurfs Movie' Sets Starry Cast to Join Rihanna; Dave Bautista, Eric Nam Board 'Airbender' Franchise". The Hollywood Reporter. April 11, 2024.
- ^ https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/CatDog/Man-1/
- ^ Volatile Games. Dead to Rights: Retribution. Namco Bandai Games. Scene: Ending credits, 2:28 and 2:58 in, Voice Over Cast.
- ^ "SpongeBob SquarePants™: The Patrick Star Game - Announce".
- ^ Kay Oaks, Amanda (August 1, 2025). "SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide Announced With First Trailer".
External links
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