<P> Emmett Lathrop `` Doc '' Brown , Ph. D. , is a fictional character in the Back to the Future trilogy in which he is the inventor of the first time machine , built out of a DeLorean sports car . The character is portrayed by Christopher Lloyd in all three films , as well as in the live action sequences of the animated series . He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta in the animated series . The character 's appearance and mannerisms are loosely inspired by Leopold Stokowski and Albert Einstein . In 2008 , Dr. Emmett Brown was selected by Empire magazine as one of The 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time , ranking at # 20 . </P>
what was the professors name in back to the future
Emmett Lathrop `` Doc '' Brown