Jeffrey Combs
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Jeffrey Alan Combs (born September 9, 1954) is an American actor. He is known for starring in
horror film Horror is a film genre that seeks to elicit fear or disgust in its audience for entertainment purposes. Horror films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements include monsters, apoca ...
s, such as ''
Re-Animator ''Re-Animator'' (also known as ''H. P. Lovecraft's Re-Animator'') is a 1985 American comedy horror film loosely based on the 1922 H. P. Lovecraft serial novelette "Herbert West–Reanimator". Directed by Stuart Gordon and produced by Brian Yuzn ...
'', and appearances playing a number of characters in the ''
Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...
'' and the
DC animated universe The DC Animated Universe (DCAU; also referred to as the Timmverse or Diniverse by fans referring to the creators and producers Bruce Timm and Paul Dini respectively) is a shared universe consisting primarily of superhero-based animated televi ...
television franchises.


Early life

Combs was born in
Oxnard, California Oxnard () is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. On California's South Coast, it is the most populous city in Ventura County and the 22nd-most-populous city in California. Incorporated in 1903, Oxnard lies approximately west ...
, the fifth of nine children born to Jean Owens (formerly Sullins; 1921–1986) and Eugene "Gene" Combs (1922–1999), and raised in
Lompoc Lompoc ( ; Chumash: ''Lum Poc'') is a city in Santa Barbara County, California. Located on the Central Coast, Lompoc has a population of 43,834 as of July 2021. Lompoc has been inhabited for thousands of years by the Chumash people, who called ...
. Both of his parents were from the
Ozarks The Ozarks, also known as the Ozark Mountains, Ozark Highlands or Ozark Plateau, is a physiographic region in the U.S. states of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and the extreme southeastern corner of Kansas. The Ozarks cover a significant port ...
region of
Arkansas Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. Its name is from the Osage ...
. A graduate of
Lompoc High School Lompoc High School is a public high school serving Lompoc, in northern Santa Barbara County, California, United States. It was first established in the small farming community in 1892. It is part of the Lompoc Unified School District, as is cros ...
, 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 Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) is a presenting and training professional residential theatre company in Santa Maria, California, offering a two-year acting and technical theatre conservatory program, operating out of Allan Hancock College. D ...
, and later developed his acting skills in the Professional Actor's Training Program at the
University of Washington The University of Washington (UW, simply Washington, or informally U-Dub) is a public research university in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1861, Washington is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast; it was established in Seattle a ...
. In 1980, after spending several years performing in playhouses on the
West Coast West Coast or west coast may refer to: Geography Australia * Western Australia *Regions of South Australia#Weather forecasting, West Coast of South Australia * West Coast, Tasmania **West Coast Range, mountain range in the region Canada * Britis ...
, Combs moved to Los Angeles. He landed his first role in the film ''
Honky Tonk Freeway ''Honky Tonk Freeway'' is a 1981 American-British comedy film directed by John Schlesinger. The film, conceived and co-produced by Don Boyd, was one of the most expensive box office bombs in history, losing its British backers Thorn EMI between ...
'' (1981), in which he played an unnamed drive-in teller. His first horror film role came two years later in '' Frightmare'' (1983).


Career

Combs's best-known horror role is
Herbert West Herbert may refer to: People Individuals * Herbert (musician), a pseudonym of Matthew Herbert Name * Herbert (given name) * Herbert (surname) Places Antarctica * Herbert Mountains, Coats Land * Herbert Sound, Graham Land Australia * Herbert, ...
, the main character in the film ''
Re-Animator ''Re-Animator'' (also known as ''H. P. Lovecraft's Re-Animator'') is a 1985 American comedy horror film loosely based on the 1922 H. P. Lovecraft serial novelette "Herbert West–Reanimator". Directed by Stuart Gordon and produced by Brian Yuzn ...
'' (1985), and its two sequels. 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 ''FeardotCom'' is a 2002 horror film directed by William Malone and starring Stephen Dorff, Natascha McElhone and Stephen Rea. The plot details a New York City detective investigating a series of mysterious deaths connected to a disturbing web ...
'' (2002), ''
House on Haunted Hill ''House on Haunted Hill'' is a 1959 American horror film produced and directed by William Castle, written by Robb White and starring Vincent Price, Carol Ohmart, Richard Long, Alan Marshal, Carolyn Craig and Elisha Cook Jr. Price plays an ...
'' (1999), ''
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer ''I Still Know What You Did Last Summer'' is a 1998 slasher film directed by Danny Cannon and written by Trey Callaway. Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Muse Watson reprise their roles, with Brandy, Mekhi Phifer and Matthew Settle jo ...
'' (1998), and ''
The Frighteners ''The Frighteners'' is a 1996 supernatural comedy horror film directed by Peter Jackson and co-written with Fran Walsh. The film stars Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, Peter Dobson, John Astin, Dee Wallace Stone, Jeffrey Combs, R. Lee Ermey an ...
'' (1996). Combs has had roles in many science fiction television series. He starred as the telepath Harriman Gray in first-season episode "
Eyes Eyes are organs of the visual system. They provide living organisms with vision, the ability to receive and process visual detail, as well as enabling several photo response functions that are independent of vision. Eyes detect light and conve ...
" (1994) of ''
Babylon 5 ''Babylon 5'' is an American space opera television series created by writer and producer J. Michael Straczynski, under the Babylonian Productions label, in association with Straczynski's Synthetic Worlds Ltd. and Warner Bros. Domestic Tel ...
''. 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 ''The 4400'' (pronounced "the forty-four hundred") is a science fiction television series produced by CBS Paramount Network Television in association with BSkyB, Renegade 83, and American Zoetrope for USA Network in the United States and Sky ...
'' as Dr. Kevin Burkhoff which had become a recurring role by 2006. In early 2007, he played a highly fictionalized
Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe (; Edgar Poe; January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. He is wide ...
in " The Black Cat" episode of ''
Masters of Horror ''Masters of Horror'' is an anthology television series created by director Mick Garris for the Showtime cable network. Origin In 2002, director Mick Garris invited some director friends to an informal dinner at a restaurant in Sherman Oaks, C ...
''. In the 2012 miniseries ''
Dorothy and the Witches of Oz ''Dorothy and the Witches of Oz'' is a 2012 film directed by Leigh Scott, based on the early 20th century novels ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'', ''Ozma of Oz'', ''The Road to Oz'' and ''The Magic of Oz'' by L. Frank Baum. The film stars Paulie Red ...
'' (sometimes called ''The Witches of Oz''), he had a small role as a highly fictionalized
L. Frank Baum Lyman Frank Baum (; May 15, 1856 – May 6, 1919) was an American author best known for his children's books, particularly ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' and its sequels. He wrote 14 novels in the ''Oz'' series, plus 41 other novels (not includ ...
. Combs has worked extensively as a voiceover artist. His voiceover roles include the
Scarecrow A scarecrow is a decoy or mannequin, often in the shape of a human. Humanoid scarecrows are usually dressed in old clothes and placed in open fields to discourage birds from disturbing and feeding on recently cast seed and growing crops.Lesley ...
in ''
The New Batman Adventures ''The New Batman Adventures'' (often shortened as ''TNBA'') is an American superhero animated television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, which aired on Kids' WB from September 13, 1997 to January 16, 1999. Produced by Warner Bro ...
'', the
Question A question is an utterance which serves as a request for information. Questions are sometimes distinguished from interrogatives, which are the grammar, grammatical forms typically used to express them. Rhetorical questions, for instance, are inte ...
in ''
Justice League Unlimited ''Justice League Unlimited'' (''JLU'') is a 2004–2006 American superhero animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and ...
'', Ratchet in '' Transformers: Prime'', the
Leader Leadership, both as a research area and as a practical skill, encompasses the ability of an individual, group or organization to "lead", influence or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. The word "leadership" often gets vi ...
in '' The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes'', the
Rat King A rat king is a collection of rats whose tails are intertwined and bound together in some way. This may be a result of an entangling material like hair, a sticky substance such as sap or gum, or the tails being tied together. Historically, thi ...
in ''
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' is an American media franchise created by the comic book artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It follows Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Leonardo, Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Miche ...
'' and
Brainiac Brainiac is a colloquial adjective used to describe exceptionally intelligent people. It may also refer to: Culture Fictional entities * Brainiac (character), a fictional supervillain in DC Comics, and an enemy of Superman * Brainiac (story arc), ...
in ''
Injustice 2 ''Injustice 2'' is a 2017 fighting game, fighting video game it is the sequel to 2013's ''Injustice: Gods Among Us'' and is the second installment in the ''Injustice (franchise), Injustice'' franchise based upon the DC Universe. It is developed ...
''. He also narrated the 25th Anniversary of ''
Re-Animator ''Re-Animator'' (also known as ''H. P. Lovecraft's Re-Animator'') is a 1985 American comedy horror film loosely based on the 1922 H. P. Lovecraft serial novelette "Herbert West–Reanimator". Directed by Stuart Gordon and produced by Brian Yuzn ...
'' at the 2010 FanTasia. 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 The Steve Allen Theater at the Center for Inquiry in Hollywood, California, was a 99-seat theater which was developed by founding artistic director Amit Itelman. Moved to The Carl Sagan & Ann Druyan Theater. The Center for Inquiry is a nonprofit ...
in Hollywood, California. 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.Baltimore Poe Bicentennial Celebration
A tour of the Saturn Award nominated ''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. 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 ''Night of the Living Dead 3D'' or ''Night of the Living DE3D'' is a 2006 horror film made in 3D. It is the second remake of the 1968 horror classic ''Night of the Living Dead''. The first remake was released in 1990 and was directed by Tom Sa ...
'' directed by
Jeff Broadstreet Jeff Broadstreet (born November 7, 1960) is an American film director. Broadstreet directed the 2006 remake of ''Night of the Living Dead'' (1968), titled '' Night of the Living Dead 3D'' and its prequel, '' Night of the Living Dead 3D: Re-An ...
. In 2012, he also played the sadistic Dr. Lambrick in another horror-thriller, ''
Would You Rather "Would you rather" is a conversation or party game that poses a dilemma in the form of a question beginning with "would you rather". The dilemma can be between two supposedly good options such as "Would you rather have the power of flight or the ...
''.


''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 ''Star Trek: Enterprise'', titled simply ''Enterprise'' for its first two seasons, is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Brannon Braga. It originally aired from September 26, 2001, to May 13, 2005 on Uni ...
'' 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 '' Star Trek'' is a science fiction media franchise that began with Gene Roddenberry's launch of the original ''Star Trek'' television series in 1966. Its success led to decades of films, novels, comics, and spinoff series. A major motif of th ...
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. On the same series, Combs had a recurring role as the Ferengi character
Brunt Brunt is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Chris Brunt, Northern Irish football player *David Brunt, British meteorologist *Dominic Brunt, English actor * John Brunt, soldier in World War II who was posthumously awarded the Vic ...
. 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 Sir Patrick Stewart (born 13 July 1940) is an English actor who has a career spanning seven decades in various stage productions, television, film and video games. He has been nominated for Olivier, Tony, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Screen Actor ...
and
Brian Markinson Brian Markinson (born September 1, 1961) is an American-Canadian actor who has appeared in a wide variety of films and television shows. Some of Markinson's best known roles include a U.S. Attorney General in ''Shooter'', an unscrupulous industr ...
.) Combs wanted the characters to appear in the same scene together, but the logistics and expense worked against it. On ''Enterprise'', Combs had a recurring role as
Shran This is a list of recurring characters from the live-action science fiction television series '' Star Trek: Enterprise'', which originally aired on UPN between 2001 and 2005. The television show takes place in the 22nd century of the ''Star Tre ...
, an
Andorian Andorians are a fictional race of humanoid extraterrestrials in the American science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''. They were created by writer D. C. Fontana. Within the ''Star Trek'' narrative, they are native to the blue icy Class M moon, ...
military officer. ''Enterprise'' producer
Manny Coto Manuel Hector "Manny" Coto (born June 10, 1961) is an American writer, director and producer of films and television programs. Coto was the executive producer and showrunner of ''Star Trek: Enterprise'' in its final season, and executive produ ...
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. In addition to his recurring ''Star Trek'' roles, Combs had non-recurring roles as a human police officer Kevin Mulkahey,Startrek.com Deep Space Nine - Far Beyond the Stars
/ref> 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. In 2021, Combs had a guest voice role as AGIMUS, an evil computer, in an episode in Season 3 of '' Star Trek: Lower Decks''.


Filmography


Film


Television


Video games


References


Bibliography

*Voisin, Scott, ''Character Kings: Hollywood's Familiar Faces Discuss the Art & Business of Acting'' BearManor Media, 2009. .


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Combs, Jeffrey 1954 births 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American male actors Male actors from Los Angeles American male film actors American male stage actors American male television actors American male voice actors Living people Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts alumni People from Lompoc, California Male actors from Oxnard, California University of Washington School of Drama alumni