Patrick Warburton (born November 14, 1964 in Paterson, New Jersey) is an American actor from Huntington Beach, California. He is best-known for his roles as David Puddy on Seinfeld, the title role in The Tick live-action series, the evil Johnny Johnson during NewsRadio's final season, and bodyguard Brock Samson on The Venture Bros. He's famous for all the voices he has provided for numerous cartoon characters (see Voiceography).

Early life and education

Warburton was born in Paterson, New Jersey, the oldest of four children. His family moved to California during his childhood when his father relocated his orthopedic practice to Huntington Beach, California.

After graduating from high school, he studied marine biology at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California, but dropped out to pursue modeling and acting. ^*

Career

In the mid to late 1990s, he was best known for his role as David Puddy on Seinfeld, the indifferent and pompous boyfriend to Elaine Benes. He also starred in FOX's short-lived live-action series The Tick, in the title role. He appeared in the Australian film The Dish as a NASA official and on NewsRadio as Jimmy James's nemesis, Johnny Johnson. He had a role on the mid-1990s CBS sitcom Dave's World. As the 6'3" Warburton is regarded as a handsome, muscular man, his roles (both vocal and visual) often have him parodying the stereotypical gung-ho, square-jawed, all-American who is usually a little short on brains, but overflowing with enthusiasm (or what his characters many times see as "patriotism"). His roles also often satirize his own body-builder looks and "official"-sounding voice. Later, he appeared as Officer Walter Kramitz in the 2002 movie Big Trouble. Also in 2005, Warburton starred in the critically acclaimed art house film The Civilization of Maxwell Bright.

Warburton has put his booming, authoritative voice to use for several animated films and TV programs, including a lead character in Game Over, and Buzz Lightyear in Buzz Lightyear of Star Command. He plays Nick Sharp in 8 Simple Rules and he plays Mr. Barkin in the Disney Channel show Kim Possible (though he found his dialogue disappointing), and also joined the cast of Less Than Perfect in 2003. He also voices the role of disabled cop Joe Swanson on FOX's animated sitcom Family Guy, and sorceress Yzma's doltish assistant Kronk in Disney's The Emperor's New Groove, who happens to be able to speak and understand squirrel. He returned to the role of Kronk for the sequel Kronk's New Groove and the subsequent TV series The Emperor's New School based on the original film. His next major project was on World Leaders Entertainment's animated series The Venture Bros., under Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming block; in it he voices the Venture family's brutally effective bodyguard and former secret agent Brock Samson. Warburton also lent his voice talent to 2005's computer-animated feature Hoodwinked - a comical take on the Little Red Riding Hood folktale produced by Blue Yonder Films with Kanbar Entertainment. He played the Wolf. He is the voice of Mr. X in The X's.

Warburton is the voice in the "Carrier" commercials for their Air-Conditioning and HVAC units and was also the voice of Superman in The Adventures of Seinfeld and Superman for American Express. He is the voice of "Lewis" in the "Clark & Lewis Expedition" radio commercials for Horizon Air with Richard Kind as "Clark".

Warburton is also featured in the "preboarding" film shown to guests at Soarin' Over California (located in Disney's California Adventure Park). This same film is shown at Soarin', located in Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Warburton appeared on GSN's Poker Royale Celebrities vs. the Pros tournament in 2005. He made it to the Grand Finale and won the $50,000 grand prize.

Personal life

Relationships and family

He has been married to his wife, Cathy, since 1991. They have four children together.

Politics and opinions

In 2005, he supported Proposition 73, a California ballot initative that would require doctors in California to notify a parent or legal guardian 48 hours before an abortion is performed on their minor daughter, contributing video and audio endorsements to the site Yes on 73.

Voiceography

Filmography

Films