Born on November 20, 1946, in Camden, South Carolina, he was an accomplished American actor and singer. Gaining fame for his powerful voice, he is best remembered for voicing Sebastian the crab in Disney's "The Little Mermaid," earning acclaim for the song "Under the Sea." His Broadway career included roles in "The Lion King" as Mufasa and in "The Tap Dance Kid." He also appeared in films and television, demonstrating his versatility across various media. He passed away on May 24, 2021.