Ernie Sabella on AllMovie

Character actor Ernie Sabella has made almost too many memorable turns in film and television to mention. The New York native studied theater at the University of Miami, where he performed at the prestigious Jerry Herman Ring Theatre. He subsequently began a professional acting career that would prove to be prolific both on-stage and in front of the camera. He would appear in production of such plays and musicals as Guys and Dolls, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Chicago, Man of La Mancha, Sweet Charity, and others.

Sabella's film and television career began with notable TV guest appearances on shows like Alice and Cheers. He played curmudgeonly boss Leon Carosi in the final season of Saved by the Bell in 1992, and in 1994, he provided the voice for Pumbaa the warthog in Disney's The Lion King. He would continue to play Pumbaa in the Lion King's sequels, and maintained a steady working relationship with Disney, playing Mr. Petrachelli on the hit tween series That's So Raven.