Iqbal Theba

Iqbal Theba is a Pakistani and American actor. He is widely recognized for his recurring role as Principal Figgins in the television series Glee.

Early life and education

Theba was born in Karachi, Pakistan, on 20 December 1963. According to him, his parents are from Gujrat. He speaks Urdu and Gujrati at home because he belongs to the Theba tribe. His forefathers are originally from Sindh.

He attended the University of Oklahoma in 1981 to study civil engineering. After he earned a B.S. degree, he transitioned into the arts. He studied acting for 3 years at the Drama School at the University of Oklahoma.

Career

Theba experienced an early career break when he performed in the NBC television pilot Death and Taxes. Although the pilot was not picked up for a series, it led to a recurring role on The George Carlin Show. He also held brief recurring roles on Married... with Children and ER. His work includes a recurring role in the ABC/CBS comedy sitcom Family Matters.

His extensive television credits include appearances on Nip/Tuck, Alias, and Two and a Half Men. He has appeared in Bosch, Roseanne, and Kitchen Confidential. Theba also appeared in Chuck, JAG, and Arrested Development. Other credits involve Childrens Hospital, The Tick, and The West Wing.

He appeared in Friends, Green Book, and Sister Sister. His filmography also contains Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, and King of the Hill. He worked on Weeds, Community, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Theba also appeared in an episode of the sitcom Yes, Dear.

In 2009, 2010, and 2013, he guest starred in 3 episodes of NBC's Community as Gobi Nadir. This character is the father of Abed Nadir. He also guest starred on CBS' NCIS in 2012. During the eighth season of Hell's Kitchen, he appeared in the 8th episode to attend the 100th dinner service.

Theba voiced Slav in season 2 of Voltron: Legendary Defender in 2017. He played General Umair Zaman on the HBO comedy series The Brink. This character is a Pakistani general who stages a military coup.

His longest-running role is Principal Figgins in the Fox television series Glee. He appeared in 58 episodes throughout the 6 seasons of the show. Although Figgins was initially conceived as white, Theba was cast in the role. He stated that playing Figgins requires finding a mix of an authority figure and someone who is insecure about his personal strengths.

In 2012, he appeared in the 1st and 9th episodes of the second season of The Glee Project.

Personal life

Theba is a Pakistani-American dual national. He is married and has 2 children. His family includes one son and one daughter.