valentine john "val" bettin (born august 1, 1924) is an american retired actor and voice artist. he is known for using an english accent in all of his roles. he is perhaps best known for voicing dr. david q. dawson in the 1986 disney animated movie "the great mouse detective" and the sultan in "the return of jafar" (1994) and "aladdin and the king of thieves" (1996).