Celebrating Clancy Brown: Urbana Native and Voice of Mr. Krabs Turns 66

Clancy Brown, an iconic actor hailing from Urbana, celebrates his 66th birthday today. Known for his diverse roles in both film and television, including his memorable voice work as Mr. Krabs in “SpongeBob SquarePants,” Brown continues to carry on the legacy of his distinguished family.

A Legacy of Public Service

Brown’s roots run deep in the Springfield and Urbana communities. His grandfather, C.J. Brown, served as a long-term congressman, and his name graces the dam and reservoir at Buck Creek State Park. Clancy’s father, Clarence J. “Bud” Brown Jr., represented Ohio’s 7th District in Congress from 1965 to 1982, further solidifying the family’s political heritage.

Choosing a Different Path

Despite this strong family background in politics, Clancy opted for a career in acting. “It was just something I wanted to do and I decided I’d give it a shot,” he shared in a 1988 interview with the Springfield News-Sun. His passion for performing ignited in junior high while participating in a production of “The Mouse That Roared,” an anti-government play that sparked his interest in theater, as his father noted in a 1994 interview.

Education and Early Career

Clancy earned a track scholarship to Northwestern University, where he initially studied economics before switching to speech and theater. He graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree. The following year, while working in local theater and bartending in Chicago, he auditioned for the film “Bad Boys,” directed by Rick Rosenthal, and landed the role of a menacing inmate known as “Viking.”

Iconic Roles and Voice Work

Throughout his career, Clancy has often been cast as a villain, delivering standout performances as The Kurgan in “Highlander” and Captain Hadley in “The Shawshank Redemption.” His voice has become familiar to audiences through his portrayal of Lex Luthor in “Superman: The Animated Series” and, of course, Mr. Krabs in “SpongeBob SquarePants.” In a 2009 interview, he humorously expressed his desire to play a hero, saying, “I was just hoping that, maybe this time, I could play a good guy.”

Diverse Voice Acting Portfolio

In addition to his long-standing role as Mr. Krabs, Brown has voiced characters in a variety of beloved animated series, including “Adventure Time,” “Phineas and Ferb,” “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Transformers Prime,” and “Green Lantern: The Animated Series.” Despite his extensive experience, he revealed in a 2013 interview that he still auditions for roles, emphasizing that casting directors prioritize finding the right fit over an actor’s resume.

Continued Engagement with Ohio

Brown remains connected to his Ohio roots, frequently returning to visit his family, who settled back in Urbana after his father’s political career. “My parents still have a house in Urbana, and I get back there at least a half dozen times,” he shared in a 1995 interview. With family in Cincinnati and Columbus, he maintains strong ties to the state.

Conclusion

As Clancy Brown marks another year in his remarkable life, his journey from Urbana to Hollywood serves as a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft, while also honoring the legacy of his family’s influence in public service.