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Revision as of 21:30, 4 February 2023

For the businessman, see Jeffrey F. Combs.

Jeffrey Combs
Combs at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2022
Born
Jeffrey Alan Combs

(1954-09-09) September 9, 1954 (age 70)
Oxnard, California, U.S.
EducationPacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts
Alma materUniversity of Washington
OccupationActor
Years active1971–present

Jeffrey Alan Combs (born September 9, 1954) is an American actor. He is known for starring in horror films, such as Re-Animator, and appearances playing a number of characters in the Star Trek and the DC animated universe television franchises.[1]

Early life

Combs was born in Oxnard, California, the fifth of nine children[2] born to Jean Owens (formerly Sullins; 1921–1986) and Eugene "Gene" Combs (1922–1999), and raised in Lompoc. Both of his parents were from the Ozarks region of Arkansas.[3] A graduate of Lompoc High School, as a senior, Combs played the lead role of Captain Fisby in a stage production of The Teahouse of the August Moon. Combs then attended Santa Maria's Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, and later developed his acting skills in the Professional Actor's Training Program at the University of Washington.[4]

In 1980, after spending several years performing in playhouses on the West Coast, Combs moved to Los Angeles. He landed his first role in the film Honky Tonk Freeway (1981), in which he played an unnamed drive-in teller. His first horror film role came two years later in Frightmare (1983).[5][self-published source?]

Career

Combs's best-known horror role is Herbert West, the main character in the film Re-Animator (1985),[6] and its two sequels.[1] He portrayed author H. P. Lovecraft (creator of the Herbert West character) in the film Necronomicon: Book of the Dead (1993) and has starred in eight H.P. Lovecraft adaptations. Other film credits include The Attic Expeditions (2001), FeardotCom (2002), House on Haunted Hill (1999), I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998), and The Frighteners (1996).[7]

Combs has had roles in many science fiction television series. He starred as the telepath Harriman Gray in first-season episode "Eyes" (1994) of Babylon 5. In 2001, he played the sinister Dr. Ek in The Attic Expeditions. In August 2005, he appeared for the first time on the science fiction series The 4400 as Dr. Kevin Burkhoff which had become a recurring role by 2006. In early 2007, he played a highly fictionalized Edgar Allan Poe in "The Black Cat" episode of Masters of Horror.[8] In the 2012 miniseries Dorothy and the Witches of Oz (sometimes called The Witches of Oz), he had a small role as a highly fictionalized L. Frank Baum.

Combs has worked extensively as a voiceover artist. His voiceover roles include the Scarecrow in The New Batman Adventures, the Question in Justice League Unlimited, Ratchet in Transformers: Prime, the Leader in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, the Rat King in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Brainiac in Injustice 2.[7] He also narrated the 25th Anniversary of Re-Animator at the 2010 FanTasia.[9]

In July 2009, Combs returned to his stage roots and reprised his role as Edgar Allan Poe in a one-man theatrical show entitled Nevermore...an Evening with Edgar Allan Poe at The Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood, California.[10] Although only supposed to run for a month, the show enjoyed much success and sold-out crowds, and was extended four times. Nevermore as it is now simply known, closed its run in Los Angeles on December 19, 2009. The show had its East Coast debut on January 23 and 24, 2010 at Westminster Hall in Baltimore, MD, Poe's final resting place.[11] A tour of the Saturn Award nominated[12] Nevermore is now in the works, with stops possibly including Chicago, New York, and Seattle, and a confirmed two-date run in San Diego in February.[13]

Combs starred with Andrew Divoff in the 2012 Screen Media Films release Night of the Living Dead 3D: Re-Animation, a prequel to the 2006 film Night of the Living Dead 3D directed by Jeff Broadstreet. In 2012, he also played the sadistic Dr. Lambrick in another horror-thriller, Would You Rather.[7]

Star Trek

On television, Combs enjoyed popular success playing a number of alien characters on the various modern Star Trek incarnations, beginning with Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in 1994, and continuing to Star Trek: Voyager in 2000, Star Trek: Enterprise in 2001 and Star Trek: Lower Decks in 2021. Combs has played nine different onscreen roles in the Star Trek universe. His largest science-fiction role to date was his regular guest role on Deep Space Nine as the Vorta clone Weyoun. Combs has said that Weyoun was his favorite Star Trek role, and he had a great deal of input in developing the character.[14]

On the same series, Combs had a recurring role as the Ferengi character Brunt. During the DS9 episode "The Dogs of War", Combs appeared as both Weyoun and Brunt, becoming one of only three Star Trek actors ever to play two unrelated characters in the same episode. (The others being Patrick Stewart[15] and Brian Markinson.[16]) Combs wanted the characters to appear in the same scene together, but the logistics and expense worked against it.[17]

On Enterprise, Combs had a recurring role as Shran, an Andorian military officer. Enterprise producer Manny Coto once mentioned in an interview that he had hoped to make Combs a regular on Enterprise had the series been renewed for a fifth season.[18]

In addition to his recurring Star Trek roles, Combs had non-recurring roles as a human police officer Kevin Mulkahey,[19] as the alien Tiron on Deep Space Nine; as the alien Penk on Voyager; and as the Ferengi pirate Krem on Enterprise. Along with many other actors, writers, and creators of the show, Combs also had a cameo appearance as a holographic patron in Vic's Lounge in the final episode of Deep Space Nine. Combs also voices the character of Romulan Commander Suldok for the Star Trek: Elite Force II video game.[citation needed] In 2021, Combs had a guest voice role as AGIMUS, an evil computer, in the episode 7, season 2 of Star Trek: Lower Decks.

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes Source
1981 Honky Tonk Freeway Drive-In Teller
Whose Life Is It Anyway? 1st-Year Intern
1983 Frightmare Stu
The Skin of Our Teeth Henry Antrobus
The Man with Two Brains Dr. Jones
1985 Re-Animator Herbert West
1986 From Beyond Crawford Tillinghast
1987 Cyclone Rick Davenport
1988 Cellar Dweller Colin Childress
Dead Man Walking Chaz
The Phantom Empire Andrew Paris Direct-to-video film
Pulse Pounders Johnathan
1989 Bride of Re-Animator Herbert West
1990 The Pit and the Pendulum Francisco, The Inquisitor
Robot Jox Spectator, Prole
1991 The Guyver Dr. East
Death Falls Lonnie Hawks
Trancers II Dr. Pyle
1992 Doctor Mordrid Dr. Mordrid
1993 Fortress "D-Day"
Necronomicon H. P. Lovecraft
1994 Love and a .45 Bob "Dinosaur Bob"
Lurking Fear Dr. Haggis
1995 Castle Freak John Reilly
Felony Bill Knight
Cyberstalker aka The Digital Prophet Andy Coberman
Dillinger and Capone Gilroy Direct-to-video film
1996 The Frighteners Special Agent Milton Dammers
Norma Jean & Marilyn Montgomery Clift
1997 Time Tracers Dr. Carrington
Snide and Prejudice Therapist Meissner
1998 I Still Know What You Did Last Summer Mr. Brooks
Caught Up Security Guard
Spoiler Captain
1999 House on Haunted Hill Dr. Richard Benjamin Vannacutt
Poseidon's Fury: Escape From the Lost City Lord Darkennon Short film
2001 Faust: Love of the Damned Lieutenant Dan Margolies
The Attic Expeditions Dr. Ek
Contagion Brown
2002 FeardotCom Detective Sykes
2003 Beyond Re-Animator Herbert West
2005 Hammerhead: Shark Frenzy Dr. Preston King
All Souls Day: Dia de los Muertos Thomas White
Edmond Desk Clerk
2006 Satanic Detective Joyner
Voodoo Moon Frank Taggert Television film
Abominable Buddy, The Clerk
Blackwater Valley Exorcism Sheriff Jimmy Fleck
2007 Return to House on Haunted Hill Dr. Richard Benjamin Vannacutt
The Wizard of Gore The Geek
Brutal Sheriff Jimmy Fleck Direct-to-video film
The Attackmen Mr. Simms
Stuck 911 Operator Voice
2008 Parasomnia Detective Garrett
2009 The Dunwich Horror Wilbur Whateley Television film
Dark House Walston Rey
2012 Elf-Man Mickey
Would You Rather Shepard Lambrick
Night of the Living Dead 3D: Re-Animation Harold Tovar
2013 Motivational Growth The Mold Voice
Favor Tad Harrison
Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising Ratchet Voice, television film
2014 Suburban Gothic Dr. Carpenter
Beethoven's Treasure Tail Fritz Bruchschnauser / Howard Belch
2017 Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom King Abdul Voice, direct-to-video
2018 Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold Vic Sage / Question Voice, direct-to-video
Howard Lovecraft and the Kingdom of Madness Uncle Randolph, H. P. Lovecraft Voice, direct-to-video
2019 Holiday Hell The Shopkeeper Direct-to-video film
In Search of Darkness Himself Documentary film [20]
2020 In Search of Darkness: Part II Himself Documentary film
Unbelievable!!!!! Male Larrisha
Age of Stone and Sky: The Sorcerer Beast Far Seeing Crow
2023 Batman: The Doom that Came to Gotham Man-Bat Voice, direct-to-video [21]
TBA Stream Mr. Lockwood [22][23][24]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1983 The Mississippi Military cadet Episode: "We Remember, We Revere"
Houston Nights Frank Stark Episode: "Lady Smoke"
1987 Beauty and the Beast Python Episode: "No Way Down"
1988 Jake and the Fatman Alan Shuba Episode: "What is This Thing Called Love"
Incredibly Strange Film Show Himself Episode: "Tsui Hark and Stuart Gordon"
1989 Freddy's Nightmares Ralph Episode: "Love Stinks"
Life Goes On Burk Clifton Episode: "Invasion of the Thatcher Snatchers"
Hunter James Wilkins Episode: "Fatal Obsession, Part 2"
1991 The Flash Jimmy Swain Episode: "Captain Cold"
Sisters Derek Cotts Episode: "Protective Measures"
1994 Babylon 5 Harriman Gray Episode: "Eyes"
1994–1999 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Brunt, Weyoun, Tiron 33 episodes
1995 The Single Guy Klein Episode: "The Virgin"
Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero Roger "Sheck" Shector Episode: "A Quartet Of Creatures"
1996 Perversions of Science Prisoner #50557 Episode: "The Exile"
1997 The New Batman Adventures Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow Voice, episode: "Never Fear"
1998 The Net Max Copernicus Episode: "Lunatic Fringe"
1999 FreakyLinks Coroner Episode: "Subject: Live Fast, Die Young"
2000 Martial Law Antoine Trembel Episode: "In the Dark"
Star Trek: Voyager Penk Episode: "Tsunkatse"
2001–2005 Star Trek: Enterprise Shran, Krem 11 episodes
2002 The Twilight Zone Harry Radditch Episode: "The Placebo Effect"
She Spies Indigo Episode: "The Replacement"
2003 Spider-Man: The New Animated Series Dr. Zellner, Professor Voice, 2 episodes
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Dr. Dale Sterling Episode: "Jackpot"
2004–2006 Justice League Unlimited Vic Sage / Question Voice, 5 episodes
Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! Gyrus Krinkle Voice, 2 episodes
2005 Hammerhead: Shark Frenzy Dr. Preston King
2005–2007 The 4400 Dr. Kevin Burkoff 15 episodes
2006 Masters of Horror Edgar Allan Poe Episode: "The Black Cat"
2008 Cold Case Sly Borden Episode: "Spiders"
2009 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Chuck Brown / Kite Man Voice, episode: "Long Arm of the Law!"
2010–2011 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Professor Hatecraft Voice, 2 episodes
2010–2012 The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Samuel Sterns / Leader Voice, 5 episodes
2010–2013 Transformers: Prime Ratchet Voice, 56 episodes
2012 Thundercats Soul Sever Voice, episode: "The Soul Sever"
Femme Fatales Interrogator Voice, episode: "Killer Instinct"
2012–2016 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Victor Falco / Rat King Voice, 4 episodes
2013 DC Nation - Doom Patrol Chief, Mr. Morden Voice, 3 episodes
2014 Criminal Minds John Nichols Episode: "The Black Queen"
Ben 10: Omniverse Kuphulu Voice, 2 episodes
2015 Gotham Office Manager 2 episodes
Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. Mainframe Voice, episode: "Wheels of Fury"[25]
2016 Transformers: Robots in Disguise Ratchet Voice, 2 episodes[26]
2017 Stan Against Evil Impish Man Episode: "Girls' Night"
2019–2020 Tigtone Prince Lavender Voice, 5 episodes
2019 Pandora Berman Livingston Episode: "Hurricane"
Creepshow Reinhard Segment: "Bad Wolf Down"
2021–2022 Star Trek: Lower Decks AGIMUS Voice, 2 episodes
2023 SpongeBob SquarePants Wally, Young Wally Voice, episode: "Wallhalla"

Video games

Year Title Role
2001 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Dominion Wars Weyoun
2003 Star Trek: Elite Force II Commander Suldok
Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow
2012 The Secret World Hayden Montag, Charles Zurn
Transformers: Prime – The Game Ratchet
2013 Imperium Galactic War Novus Ordo, Narrator
Lego Marvel Super Heroes Samuel Sterns / Leader
2017 Injustice 2 Brainiac
2018 Star Trek Online: Victory Is Life Weyoun, Brunt
Lego DC Super-Villains Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow, Chuck Brown / Kite Man

References

  1. ^ a b "Jeffrey Combs". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2015. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
  2. ^ "Shuttlepod Episode 004: "That's Shrantastic!" with Jeffrey Combs - YouTube". YouTube.
  3. ^ "Shuttlepod Episode 004: "That's Shrantastic!" with Jeffrey Combs - YouTube". YouTube.
  4. ^ Olson, Christopher J. (April 12, 2018). 100 Greatest Cult Films. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-4422-1104-9.
  5. ^ Rowan, Terry (August 16, 2014). The Book of the Undead A Zombie Film Guide. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-1-312-43947-4.[self-published source]
  6. ^ Maslin, Janet (October 18, 1985). "Re Animator (1985) SCREEN: STUART GORDON DIRECTS 'RE-ANIMATOR'". The New York Times.
  7. ^ a b c Mcivar, Brice (August 9, 2011). "Q&A: Jeffrey Combs". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  8. ^ Jeffrey Combs, Star of "The Black Cat" Archived June 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, UGO
  9. ^ "Fantasia 2010: Days 5 Through 9". July 16, 2010.
  10. ^ Stebe Allen Theater - Nevermore
  11. ^ Baltimore Poe Bicentennial Celebration Archived December 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ "Fantasia 2010: Days 10 and 11". October 18, 2012.
  13. ^ "Nevermore Heading to San Diego for Two Performances". July 18, 2012.
  14. ^ Jeffrey Combs (2004). StarTrek.com First Person. Paramount Pictures. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  15. ^ Jean-Luc Picard and Michael Williams, see The Defector
  16. ^ Peter Durst and Sulan, see the Filmography section
  17. ^ "Star Trek Online Community Q&A with Jeffrey Combs!". April 24, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  18. ^ Pascale, Anthony (August 10, 2009). "VegasCon09: Braga & Coto Talk Enterprise Season 5 + Star Trek 2009 & more". Las Vegas, Nevada: TrekMovie.com. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  19. ^ Startrek.com Deep Space Nine - Far Beyond the Stars
  20. ^ Miska, Brad (March 22, 2019). "Exclusive Clip: John Carpenter Joins '80s Horror Documentary 'In Search of Darkness'!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  21. ^ "'Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham' Sets Voice Cast (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. December 6, 2022.
  22. ^ Millican, Josh (September 3, 2021). "Gallery: New Vacation Horror 'Stream' Coming Soon From the Producers of 'Terrifier 2'". Dread Central. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  23. ^ Squires, John (September 10, 2021). "From the Team Behind 'Terrifier 2' Comes Horror Movie 'Stream' Starring Danielle Harris and Jeffrey Combs!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  24. ^ Gingold, Michael (September 14, 2021). "Exclusive Interview: Director Michael Leavy on His All-Horror-Star Movie "Stream"". Rue Morgue. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  25. ^ "Wheels of Fury". Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. Season 2. Episode 18. March 29, 2015. Disney XD.
  26. ^ "Decepticon Island (Part 1)". Transformers: Robots in Disguise. Season 2. Episode 12. April 16, 2016. Cartoon Network UK.

Bibliography

  • Voisin, Scott, Character Kings: Hollywood's Familiar Faces Discuss the Art & Business of Acting BearManor Media, 2009. ISBN 978-1-59393-342-5.
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