Lee Arenberg

Born on July 18, 1962, in Palo Alto, California, Lee Arenberg’s upbringing unfolded in the coastal city of Santa Monica. There, he shared his formative school years with notables like Robert Downey Jr., Sean Penn, and Emilio Estevez. Their collective involvement in school theatricals spurred Arenberg’s artistic inclinations, leading him to pursue acting as a vocation. This journey saw him joining the ranks of the University of California, Los Angeles, specifically the Theater Department.

1986 marked Arenberg’s theatrical inception with the production “Ghetto,” soon followed by his screen debut in the sitcom “Perfect Strangers.” Subsequently, he graced the romantic comedy “Cross My Heart” with his presence. This period saw Arenberg deliver a series of remarkable episodic performances in acclaimed series such as “Seinfeld,” “Tales from the Crypt,” and “Friends,” among others.

His trajectory intersected with the “Star Trek” media universe, portraying a character named Gral in several episodes. The year 1992 saw him venture into science fiction with “RoboCop 3,” playing a small-time criminal. he also appeared in the futuristic “Waterworld” during this time, alongside Kevin Costner and Dennis Hopper.

Entering the 2000s, Arenberg’s career had already been marked by approximately 30 diverse ventures, yet his most notable role was yet to come. The year 2003 saw him embrace the role of the bumbling pirate Pintel in “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.” His character, alongside Ragetti (portrayed by Mackenzie Crook), was integral to the narrative, rebelling against Jack Sparrow.

The pirate saga’s commercial triumph brought widespread recognition to the entire ensemble, including Arenberg. He reprised his role in the subsequent two sequels, each achieving significant box office success and prestigious accolades. The saga’s fourth installment, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” was released in 2011, but without Arenberg’s involvement.

Between 2011 and 2018, Arenberg was a fixture in “Once Upon a Time,” bringing life to the character Grumpy. He was featured in 55 episodes, collaborating with talents like Jennifer Morrison, Emilie de Ravin, and Jared S. Gilmore. He later reprised this role in the spin-off, “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.” Additionally, he made appearances in the series “Californication” with David Duchovny and the fantasy drama “American Gods.”

Lee Arenberg’s matrimonial journey began with Lisa Derrick, with whom he was united from 1999 until 2006. Subsequent to their separation, he entered into matrimony a second time with actress Katie Meehan, resulting in the birth of their son Samuel. Arenberg’s leisure pursuits include golf, softball, and electronic gaming. He has a passion for culinary arts and is adept at the harmonica. His philanthropic efforts are dedicated to supporting organizations aiding autistic children and animal welfare.

Lee Arenberg currently lives in Los Angeles with his family and two dogs. He took a break from acting for a while, which led some to wonder about the future of his career. Despite this, he continued to work on his acting skills. In 2023, he joined the main cast of the British historical series “1066.” He’s also working on a thriller called “The Lost Ship,” which is expected to come out in 2024.