Kenneth Mars

 Kenneth Mars (April 4, 1935 – February 12, 2011)

He appeared in two Mel Brooks films: as the Nazi playwright Franz Liebkind in The Producers (1967) and Police Inspector Hans Wilhelm Friedrich Kemp in Young Frankenstein (1974). He also appeared in Peter Bogdanovich's What's Up Doc? (1972), and Woody Allen's Radio Days (1987), and Shadows and Fog (1991). In addition, Mars appeared in two seasons of Malcolm in the Middle as Otto Mannkusser, Francis's well-meaning but dimwitted boss and a German immigrant who owns a dude ranch. He also voiced King Triton, Ariel's father, in the 1989 Disney animated film The Little Mermaid and its sequel, as well as its companion television series, and the Kingdom Hearts series. He did several other animated voice-over film roles such as Littlefoot's grandfather in the Land Before Time series (1994–2008), Professor Screweyes in We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (1993), King Colbert (Prince Cornelius's father) in Thumbelina (1994), as well as the voice of Tuskernini from Darkwing Duck (1991–1992). In 2008, Mars retired from acting after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two years prior. His final performance was as Grandpa Longneck in the animated television series The Land Before Time. In 1977, Mars married Barbara Newborn. They had two daughters, Susannah and Rebecca. The marriage lasted until his death. Mars died on February 12, 2011 from complications of pancreatic cancer. He was 75 years old.