Born in London, Seale was educated at Rutlish School in Wimbledon and trained for the stage at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

In film, Seale provided the voice of Krebbs the koala in The Rescuers Down Under (1990) and, two years later, the Sultan in Aladdin (1992) (with Val Bettin replacing him in the later productions).

He also appeared in several films, including Miloš Forman's Amadeus (1984), and Ernest Saves Christmas (1988), in which he played Santa Claus.

In television, Seale played the role of John Clapper the butler for Nick Foley in the series Rags to Riches from 1987 to 1988.

[1][2] Seale died in New York City on 13 June 1999, aged 85, and was survived by his two sons from his second marriage, Jonathan and Timothy, and two grandchildren.