Ernie Sabella

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

The Good Wife

Saturday Night Live

Married... with Children

Cheers

Knots Landing

The Practice

Quantum Leap

All Movies (42)

• The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl2025 · as Self
• Show of Titles2021 · as "Man of La Mancha" Performer
• Bakery in Brooklyn2016 · as Dave
• The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar2016 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Wild About Safety: Timon and Pumbaa Safety Smart Honest and Real!2013 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Wild About Safety: Timon and Pumbaa Safety Smart on the Go!2013 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Wild About Safety: Timon and Pumbaa Safety Smart Online!2012 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Listen to Your Heart2010 · as Tony
• Waking Sleeping Beauty2009 · as Self (archive footage)
• Wild About Safety: Timon and Pumbaa Safety Smart in the Water!2009 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Wild About Safety: Timon and Pumbaa Safety Smart Goes Green!2009 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Wild About Safety: Timon and Pumbaa Safety Smart at Home!2008 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Wild About Safety: Timon and Pumbaa Safety Smart Healthy & Fit!2008 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• The Lion King 1½2004 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Broadway's Lost Treasures II2004 · as Harry The Horse (segment "Guys & Dolls")
• Timon & Pumbaa Virtual Safari 2.02004 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Timon & Pumbaa's Virtual Safari 1.52004 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Behind the Legend: Timon2004 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Timon & Pumba's Virtual Safari2003 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse2001 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• The Lion King II: Simba's Pride1998 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• A Magical Walt Disney World Christmas1997 · as Self
• MouseHunt1997 · as Maury
• In & Out1997 · as Aldo Hooper
• On Holiday With Timon & Pumbaa1997 · as Pumbaa (Voice)
• Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade1996 · as Self
• Dining Out with Timon & Pumbaa1996 · as Pumbaa (Voice)
• Around the World With Timon & Pumbaa1996 · as Pumbaa (Voice)
• Stand By Me1995 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Roommates1995 · as Stash
• Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable1995 · as Pumba
• Quiz Show1994 · as Car Salesman
• The Lion King1994 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Just My Imagination1992 · as Arnold Mayer
• Guys and Dolls: Off the Record1992 · as Himself / Harry the Horse
• Going Under1991 · as The Mole
• Faith1990 · as Stanley
• Fright Night Part 21988 · as Dr. Scott Harrison
• Tough Guys1986 · as Hotel Clerk
• Copacabana1985 · as Sam Gropper
• Little Johnny Jones1980 · as Sing Song
• The Robber Bridegroom1980 · as Big Harp

All TV Shows (44)

• The Lion Guard2016 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• The Good Wife2009 · as Murray
• Wild About Safety with Timon & Pumbaa2008 · as Pumbaa
• That's So Raven2003 · as Mr. Petracelli
• Disney's House of Mouse2001 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Disney's House of Mouse2001 · as Pumbaa
• Ed2000 · as Gary Swirdlock
• Providence1999 · as Lou Keppler
• Encore! Encore!1998 · as Leo Wodecki
• The Practice1997 · as Atty. Harland Bassett
• Timon and Pumbaa1995 · as Pumbaa (voice)
• Mad About You1992 · as Maurice
• Saved by the Bell1989 · as Leon Carosi
• Seinfeld1989 · as Naked Man
• Quantum Leap1989 · as Manny / Sancho Panza
• Coach1989 · as Ernie
• A Fine Romance1989 · as George Shipman
• Murphy Brown1988 · as Julian
• A Different World1987 · as Campus Policeman
• She's the Sheriff1987
• She's the Sheriff1987 · as Dickie Dinsmore
• Married... with Children1987 · as Mr. Pond
• Roxie1987 · as Vito Carteri
• Sledge Hammer!1986 · as Al Fresco
• Perfect Strangers1986 · as Donald Twinkacetti
• It's Your Move1984 · as Lou Donatelli
• Hunter1984 · as Earnie
• Punky Brewster1984
• Hardcastle and McCormick1983 · as Clyde Whitley
• The New Odd Couple1982 · as Policeman
• St. Elsewhere1982 · as Patient
• Newhart1982
• Newhart1982 · as Police Officer
• Cheers1982 · as Stan
• Cagney & Lacey1982
• Hill Street Blues1981
• Hill Street Blues1981 · as Paulie
• Knots Landing1979 · as Frank Edmunds
• The Facts of Life1979
• Broadway on Showtime1979 · as Big Harp
• Diff'rent Strokes1978
• Alice1976
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self (uncredited)
• The Oscars1953 · as Self