Patrolling the cubicles of Insuricare, it’s Gilbert Huph’s job to make work as drab and unfulfilling as possible, especially when an underling like Bob Parr towers over him.[1]
Personality[]
Gilbert Huph is best described as greedy, ill-tempered, controlling, uncaring, and self-centered. Despite being the boss of an insurance company, he is more focused on gaining more money than providing clients with the insurance they need. As such, it is heavily implied that he has no qualms about illegally denying his clients aid, no matter how legitimate their insurance claims are, under the claim that the law requires that that he shouldn't help them. Owing to this, Huph is shown to have contempt for his clients, as evidenced by his referring to his clients by the sarcastic and derisive nicknames of "Harry Hardluck" and "Sally Sobstory" when telling Bob Parr off for activating the Walker policy earlier. Huph always seems to have an excuse for yelling, and also has a bad habit of getting angry. He also seems to talk down to his employees, as evidenced by his conversation with Bob in his office, treating him and possibly everyone under his employ like children who don't know what they're doing.
He is obsessed with bureaucracy, believing that Bob's customers take advantage of the company's inner workings. He gets furious when his workers (mainly Bob) use loopholes to circumvent various technically legit methods of denying them claims of insurance. During a dressing down by Huph, Bob is looking out the window.
However, Huph is capable of handling any customer complaints as well as listening to reason, as evidenced by his conversation with Rick Dicker that persuaded him to not sue Bob for assaulting him.
Mr. Huph is the diminutive, short (both in height and temper), and immoral CEO of Insuricare and Bob's supervisor, more concerned with reaping a profit than the well-being of his customers, which is somewhat outright scamming the customers out of their insurance money.
He is always annoyed that Bob keeps authorizing payment on insurance policies to different clients, even if it is part of their coverage. He reprimands Bob, asking him how Insuricare can remain profitable when Bob writes checks to every "Harry Hardluck" and "Sally Sobstory" that gives him a phone call.
Mr. Huph figures out that Bob has been guiding customers through the legal loopholes to get the insurance they need and calls him down to his office. During this discussion, he explained to Bob that his customers were taking advantage of the company's inner workings and are experts at exploiting loopholes and dodging obstacles that the penetrate the bureaucracy to the point of putting the company and its employees out of business. Sometime during the conversation, Bob sees a man being mugged just outside the window, and Huph is annoyed that Bob is not paying attention. Bob tries to alert Mr. Huph to the crime, but Huph makes a snarky remark that he hopes the victim does not subscribe to Insuricare. Bob tries to go and save him, but Huph threatens to fire his employee if he leaves his office. Bob then sees the mugger running away and succeeding. Mr. Huph then snidely tries to tell Bob that he was close to losing his job, but Bob (enraged that he failed to save the citizen who was mugged and disgusted by his boss' callousness) snaps and loses his temper, brutally grabs Huph by the throat, and in his rage, throws him through four walls, severely injuring him. Several of the office workers are shocked to witness this as Bob realized he accidentally used his superpowers during a fit of rage in disbelief.
Huph survives, but is then hospitalized, in traction, and mind-wiped by Agent Rick Dicker (as revealed in a deleted scene), but not before Huph tells Rick that Bob is fired.
While Huph isn't seen or mentioned in Incredibles 2, his company Insuricare is mentioned by Bob and Helen Parr when discussing about finding a job or working with Winston Deavor. Bob also mentions how much he hated his previous job, alluding to Huph's abuse towards him.
Wallace Shawn also voiced two school principals from non-Pixar films who consist of Principal Mazur from A Goofy Movie and later Principal Fetchit from Chicken Little, in which they are similar to Huph, though both questioning the parent of the main character about the bad actions they did at school.
On the "October 2005 WDW Pin Releases" website, there is a pin called "Boss's 2005 Day", where Bob is in Mr. Huph's office giving a present to his boss (whose arm is in a sling, presumably after the freak accident he had in the movie) for Boss's Day 2005. The words said "Bob Parr is presenting a gift to Mr. Huph for Boss's Day 2005. Remember your boss in 2005 with this unique Limited Edition pin featuring characters from The Incredibles. Boss's Day is celebrated every October 16. The pin was designed by Disney Design Group Artist Bret Melvin".
One of his lines, about a Walker policy, is a reference to producer John Walker.
The business malpractice Huph is doing is called "Breach of Contract," and would have made Insuricare liable to a lawsuit by its mistreated customers. In doing so, in addition to monetary compensation in a settlement, the corrupt business practices of Insuricare would be publicly exposed.
Gallery[]
Clipart of Huph scolding Bob
Screenshots[]
Huph storming down the hallway.
"You authorized payment on the Walker policy?!"
"With you writing checks to every Harry Hardluck and Sally Sobstory, THAT GIVES YOU A PHONE CALL!!!".
"Sit down, Bob."
"I'm not happy, Bob. Not. Happy!"
"Why what? Be specific, Bob."
"Your customers make me unhappy."
"Complaints I can handle."
"What I can't handle is your customers' inexplicable knowledge of Insuricare's inner workings!"
"The law requires that I answer no."
"WE'RE SUPPOSED TO HELP OUR PEOPLE! Starting with our stockholders, Bob!"
"Who's helping them out, huh?!"
"Is like an enormous--yes! Precisely!"
"It only works if all the little cogs mesh together!"
"Now, a clock needs to be cleaned, well-lubricated and wound tight."
"The best clocks have jeweled movements."
"Cogs that fit and cooperate by design."
"LOOK AT ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU, PARR!"
"Do not change the subject, Bob!"
"Well, let's hope we don't cover him!"
"Stop right now OR YOU'RE FIRED!"
Huph smirks evilly as he forces Bob to leave an innocent to get mugged.
"Close the door."
"Get over here now."
"You were this close to losing your--"
Bob, disgusted by Huph's callousness, furiously grabs him by the throat and....
BAM! Bob throws Huph through several walls, and he crashes into a filing cabinet, badly injured.
Huph lets out weak pained groans as the several shocked office workers witness his injury.
