When Matt Groening's and David X. Cohen's animated sci-fi sitcom "Futurama" was still in the earliest days of its development, voice actor Billy West was shown drawings of the characters he might be playing on the show. When he was shown a picture of Dr. Zoidberg, the impoverished lobster physician at Planet Express, West figured the arthropod's voice would sound muffled and jowly due to the tendrils of meat hanging off his face. West reached deep into his mental vault of celebrities he could imitate and came out with two obscurities: Dr. Zoidberg was a combination of George Jessel — a Vaudeville comedian and longtime Toastmaster of Ceremonies at multiple political gatherings in the '40s and '50s — and Canadian actor Lou Jacobi from "Irma la Douce" and "Arthur."
Zoidberg is a deliberately pathetic character, often full of self-pity and embarrassment. He's also a terrible doctor, often grafting...
Zoidberg is a deliberately pathetic character, often full of self-pity and embarrassment. He's also a terrible doctor, often grafting...
- 9/4/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Similar News
Taurus Season: 10 Must-Watch Shows for the Gentlest & Most Hedonistic Zodiac Sign
- 5/1/2024
- by info@startefacts.com (Rachel Bailey)
- STartefacts.com
Tom Felton Namedrops His Two “Ultimate Comfort Watch” Movies: None of Them are Harry Potter
- 4/30/2024
- by Ananya Godboley
- FandomWire
Is Suzume The New Simpsons? Earthquakes Hit Cities Visited By Movie’s Protagonist Following TV Broadcast In Japan
- 4/30/2024
- by Ami Nazru
- AnimeHunch
John Candy Brilliantly Channeled Orson Welles For Billy Crystal's Short-Lived TV Show
- 4/30/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
A 2003 Sitcom With 100% Tomatometer Is One of 2 Most Rewatchable Shows Among Fans
- 4/27/2024
- by benjamin-patel@startefacts.com (Benjamin Patel)
- STartefacts.com
John Dimaggio Didn't Understand Anything About Cartoon Network's Adventure Time
- 4/27/2024
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
‘Futurama’ Getting Art Book Treatment From Abrams ComicArts (First-Look)
- 4/30/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Every Futurama Anthology Episode Ranked
- 4/28/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
The Simpsons Tested An Itchy & Scratchy Spinoff So Gory It Made Audiences Sick
- 4/26/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
Jude Law, Jason Bateman Netflix Limited Series ‘Black Rabbit’ Adds Nearly a Dozen to Cast
- 4/30/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Box Office Preview: ‘The Fall Guy’ Eyes $30 Million-Plus Debut as Summer Movie Season Revs Up
- 4/30/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety - Film News
Jeff Bridges Returning for ‘Tron: Ares,’ Says De-Aged Character in ‘Tron: Legacy’ Looked ‘More Like Bill Maher Than Myself’
- 4/29/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Peacock Hiking Prices for Second Time in Two Years
- 4/29/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety - TV News
Box Office: ‘Challengers’ Scores First Place Finish With $15 Million Debut
- 4/28/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety - Film News
Nicki Nicole Says Rap Music Helped Her Get Out of Her Shell
- 4/29/2024
- by Brenda Barrientos
- Popsugar.com
Revisiting Jennifer Lopez’s 2011 Album “Love?” and What It Signifies Today
- 4/29/2024
- by Kimmy Dole
- Popsugar.com
Thalia's "A Mucha Honra" Album Is a Love Letter to Música Mexicana
- 4/26/2024
- by Lucas Villa
- Popsugar.com
Julio Torres's "Problemista" Shows the US Immigration System Is a Relentless Maze
- 4/24/2024
- by Johanna Ferreira
- Popsugar.com
Chuwi Is the Voice of a New Puerto Rican Generation
- 4/23/2024
- by Juan Arroyo
- Popsugar.com
Adult Actors Playing Teenagers: The 10 Most Egregious Examples from Hollywood
- 4/30/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Sally Hawkins to Star in Next Horror Film from ‘Talk to Me’ Directors for A24
- 4/30/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Join IndieWire and Disney for Our FYC ‘Abbott Elementary’ Panel on May 20 at Vidiots in LA
- 4/30/2024
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
‘Nightbitch’: Marielle Heller Say Waiting For Her Amy Adams Thriller Is Like Having “Creative Blue Balls”
- 4/30/2024
- by Caillou Pettis
- The Playlist
Catching Up with John Green
- 4/30/2024
- by Erin Strecker
- Indiewire
Box Office Preview: ‘The Fall Guy’ Eyes $30 Million-Plus Debut as Summer Movie Season Revs Up
- 4/30/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety - Film News
Jeff Bridges Returning for ‘Tron: Ares,’ Says De-Aged Character in ‘Tron: Legacy’ Looked ‘More Like Bill Maher Than Myself’
- 4/29/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Box Office: ‘Challengers’ Scores First Place Finish With $15 Million Debut
- 4/28/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety - Film News
Box Office: ‘Dune 2’ Passes $700 Million Globally, ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ Tops $500 Million Worldwide
- 4/28/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety - Film News
Witch review – occultist gothic horror takes a swerve into the psychedelic
- 5/1/2024
- by Phil Hoad
- The Guardian - Film News
Jude Law, Jason Bateman Netflix Limited Series ‘Black Rabbit’ Adds Nearly a Dozen to Cast
- 4/30/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
‘Emily in Paris’ Moves Season 4 Shoot to Italy, Goes on ‘Roman Holiday’ After Wrapping in France
- 4/30/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety - TV News
Peacock Hiking Prices for Second Time in Two Years
- 4/29/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety - TV News
‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans Shocked By Contestant’s ‘Painful’ Letter Pick on Easy Puzzle
- 5/1/2024
- TV Insider
‘Jeopardy!’ Fans React to Ken Jennings’ Harsh Ruling That Cost Contestant
- 5/1/2024
- TV Insider