Herman van Veen is a Dutch stage performer, actor, musician, singer-songwriter, and author, born on March 14, 1945, in Utrecht, Netherlands. While his career is primarily rooted in live performance and music, he is connected to the anime world through the series Ahiru no Quack, known internationally as Alfred J. Kwak. Van Veen is the creator of the original 1976 one-man theatre show on which the 1989 Dutch-Japanese anime co-production was based. Beyond creating the story and characters, he also wrote, composed, and performed most of the music for the animated series.

In the context of the anime, van Veen contributed his voice to the Dutch-language version of Ahiru no Quack. He provided the voices for multiple characters, including Johan Sebastian Kwak, Alfred's father; Krabnagal de Kater; and Professor Paljas, also known as Professor Buffon. His voice work as Professor Paljas, the kindly inventor mentioned in the query, is part of this broader contribution to the series. While not a voice actor with an extensive anime filmography, his creative and vocal involvement in this single series is significant due to its international co-production nature and lasting popularity.

Van Veen's notable achievements outside of his direct anime involvement include a long and celebrated career in music and theatre. He has released numerous albums and received various awards, such as the Goldene Kamera for the Alfred J. Kwak cartoon in 1991, the Golden Harp, and knighthood in the Order of Orange-Nassau. He has also served as a UNICEF ambassador and founded multiple organizations dedicated to children's rights. His work on Alfred J. Kwak, both as creator and voice actor, remains a key part of his legacy.