Len Lesser
Len Lesser | |
---|---|
The Bronx, New York, U.S. | |
Died | February 16, 2011 , U.S. | (aged 88)
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1949–2011 |
Spouse |
Janice Burrell
(m. 1954; div. 1982) |
Children | 2 |
Leonard King Lesser (December 3, 1922 – February 16, 2011) was an American character actor and comedian best known for his recurring role as Uncle Leo on Seinfeld.[1] He was also known for his role as Garvin on Everybody Loves Raymond.
Early life
Lesser was born in
Career
Lesser was a prolific character actor in film, TV and on stage. He appeared on American television steadily since 1955 on programs such as
Later years
Lesser had a recurring role on
Death
On February 16, 2011, Lesser died of cancer-related pneumonia[6] in Burbank, California, at the age of 88.[7]
After learning of Lesser's death, Jerry Seinfeld said of him,
Len was one of our favorites. We always loved having him on the show. I'll never forget when Uncle Leo was in prison and tattooed "Jerry Hello" on his knuckles. He was a very sweet guy.
Another Seinfeld castmate, Jason Alexander, tweeted,
Thanks to all of you for your kind remarks re: Len Lessor [sic]. Tonight was the opening of Gigi at my beloved Reprise Theater Company and I've only returned at this late hour to hear the news. ... "Hellooo" Uncle Leo. And goodbye. Sleep well. Much love. Jason.[8]
Selected filmography
- Shack Out on 101 (1955) - Perch
- Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956) - Reporter at Sparring Session (uncredited)
- Lust for Life (1956) - Cartoonist (uncredited)
- The Rack (1956) - Officer (uncredited)
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1957) (Season 3 Episode 4: Heart of Gold") - Thug
- This Could Be the Night (1957) - Piano Tuner (uncredited)
- Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (1957) - Sam (uncredited)
- Have Gun - Will Travel(1958) (Season 1 Episode 38 : "Deliver the Body") - Boldt
- The Brothers Karamazov (1958) - Jailer (uncredited)
- I Want to Live! (1958) - Charlie, Newspaperman (uncredited)
- Some Came Running (1958) - Indianapolis Poker Player (uncredited)
- Crime and Punishment U.S.A. (1959) - Desk Officer
- Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960) - Waiter at Sardi's (uncredited)
- Bells Are Ringing (1960) - Charlie Bessemer (uncredited)
- Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) - Burns (uncredited)
- Smog (1962) - Lelio Marpicati
- McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force (1965) - NKVD commissar
- How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965) - North Dakota Pete
- The Wild Wild West (1965) - Mason
- Fireball 500 (1966) - Man in Garage
- The Last Challenge (1967) - Ed - the Bartender (uncredited)
- The Monkees (1967) – Red in S2:E13, "Monkees in Texas"
- Kelly's Heroes (1970) - Sergeant Bellamy
- Bonanza (1970, TV Series) - Fred Gaskell
- All in the Family (1971) - Billy Prendegast
- Blood and Lace (1971) - Tom Kredge
- Dirty Little Billy (1972) - Slits
- Slither (1973) - Jogger
- Papillon (1973) - Guard
- It's Good to Be Alive (1974) - Man at Accident
- Truck Stop Women (1974) - Winter
- ’’Kolchak: The Night Stalker’’(1974) - They Have Been, They Are.....
- Death Wish (1974) - Cop at the Precinct (uncredited)
- The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) - Abe
- Supervan (1977) - Banks
- Moonshine County Express (1977) - Scoggins
- Joyride to Nowhere (1977) - Charlie
- Ruby (1977) - Barney
- Spider-Man (1977) - Henchman
- House Calls (1978) - Waiter
- Someone's Watching Me! (1978) - Burly Man
- The Main Event (1979) - Trainer At Big Bear
- Take This Job and Shove It (1981) - Roach
- Death Hunt (1981) - Lewis
- Du-beat-e-o (1984) - Hendricks
- Grandmother's House (1988) - Grandfather
- Faith (1990) - Uncle Sal
- Sorority Girls and the Creature from Hell (1990) - Tex
- Ain't No Way Back (1990) - Papa Campbell
- Seinfeld (1991-1998) - Uncle Leo
- Rave Review (1994) - Al
- The John Larroquette Show - (1996) Preacher (1 episode)
- Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2004) - Garvin
- Boy Meets World (1997) - Arnie Heck (1 episode)
- Mad About You - (1997) Uncle Arnold (1 episode)
- Life with Roger (1997) - Mr. Mitchell (1 episode)
- True Friends (1998) - Mr. Slotnick
- Caroline in the City (1998) - Waiter (1 episode)
- The Werewolf Reborn! (1998)
- Smart Guy (1998) - Sidney (1 episode)
- The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer (1998) - Tailor (1 episode)
- Sabrina the Teenage Witch - Eugene (1 episode)
- Son of the Beach (2002) - Nick Pappasmearos Jr. (3 episodes)
- Just Shoot Me! (2003) - Uncle Jimmy (1 episode)
- Baadasssss! (2003) - Manny & Mort Goldberg
- Rock Me, Baby (2003) - Harvey (1 episode)
- Quintuplets (2004) - Morty (1 episode)
- Raw Footage (2005) - Grampa Joey
- ER (2005) - Woody Ebbots (1 episode)
- The Wedding Belles (2007) - Peppy Miller (1 episode)
- Cold Case(2007) - Elmer Gibbins '07 (1 episode)
- 'Til Death (2008) - Gus (1 episode)
- Turbo Dates (2008)
- Castle (2009) - Neighbour (1 episode) (Final role)
References
- ^ "Uncle Leo". seinfeldonline.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
- ^ Weber, Bruce. "Len Lesser, Uncle Leo on 'Seinfeld', Dies at 88", The New York Times. 2011-02-17.
- ^ Obituary, latimes.com, February 17, 2011.
- IMDb
- ^ "First Person: Len Lesser on Uncle Leo's new life". National Post.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Allen, Floyd (February 18, 2011). "Len Lesser dies at 88, due to cancer-related pneumonia". ibtimes.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
- ^ Seinfeld's 'Uncle Leo' dead at 88, cnn.com, February 16, 2011.
- ^ Zakarin, Jordan (February 17, 2011). "Uncle Leo's 'Seinfeld' Scenes: Jerry Remembers His Favorite". Huffington Post.
External links
- Len Lesser at Find a Grave
- Len Lesser at IMDb