Vale: Len Lesser

US actor Len Lesser, best known as Seinfeld‘s “Uncle Leo” has died, aged 88.

Lesser died from cancer-related pneumonia this week.

His career ranged from film (Birdman of Alcatraz, Clint Eastwood’s The Outlaw Josey Wales) to television (The Monkees, The Munsters, The Rockford Files, ER, Everybody Loves Raymond).

“I’ll never forget when Uncle Leo was in prison and tattooed ‘Jerry Hello’ on his knuckles,” Jerry Seinfeld said in a statement.

Jason Alexander said via Twitter: “Len was a tremendous guy. He was a smart actor/comedian who knew exactly what he was doing in the creation of Uncle Leo. I enjoyed many wonderful conversations with Len who was so openly grateful to be part of our show and so humble about his stunning contribution to it. I am so happy to have known him and my sympathies go to his family. But his was a fun life and he leaves many fans behind and many who will be enjoying his work for years to come.”

As Lesser once told the Los Angeles Times about his Seinfeld character: “He’s the kind of guy who is a total nuisance at times and the kind of guy you avoid. He’s is very warm and outgoing and loud. He’s a very expansive character, and that has an attraction to it I think.

“Many people have told me, ‘Oh my God. My father is like you.’ ”

Source: LA Times, Hollywood Reporter