The News Of …

Len Lesser, a veteran character actor perhaps best known to modern audiences as Seinfeld’s Uncle Leo, has died of complications from pneumonia. He was 88.
Lesser’s long career in television began in 1949 with a role in Studio One In Hollywood. In the early days, he often found work playing thugs and hoodlums in shows like Dragnet and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. And worked on Westerns such as Have Gun Will Travel and Gunsmoke. In fact, Lesser’s resume reads like a compendium of classic television – He had appearances on Mike Hammer, The Jack Benny Program, Peter Gunn, Bat Masterson, The Untouchables, The Red Skelton Hour, The Outer Limits, The Wild Wild West, My Favorite Martian, That Girl, Get Smart, The Monkees, Green Acres, All In The Family, Bonanza, The Mod Squad, The Bob Newhart Show, Kojak, The Rockford Files, Simon And Simon, Hardcastle And McCormick, Remington Steele, Amazing Stories, Falcon Crest, Thirtysomething, Boy Meets World, Mad About You, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Just Shoot Me, and ER.
In 1970, Lesser starred in the World War II action-comedy ‘Kelly’s Heroes’ as Sergeant Bellamy, who’s drafted to build a bridge for Clint Eastwood’s band of bank-robbing soldiers by Donald Sutherland’s ‘Oddball’. Lesser also had film roles in ‘The Outlaw Josey Wales’ and ‘Papillon’.

Len Lesser.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Lesser died on account of pneumonia related to cancer.
Throughout Lesser’s 60-year career. He made over 500 appearances on the stage, both in film and on the small screen, starting in 1954.
Lesser is survived by his daughter and son, Michele and David Lesser; David’s wife, Julie; and his grandchildren, Jonathan, Kayla, and Mayah.
People reports that Lesser’s daughter said in a statement: “Heaven got a great comedian and actor today.”
Lesser served in the army during World War II after graduating from City College, where he studied economics and government, in 1942.

His daughter, Michelle Lesser said:
“Heaven got a great comedian and actor today … Thank you to all the people who helped make my father’s last journey special, and surrounded with love. The doctors, nurses, and staff have been outstanding, and Dad was in phenomenal hands. His passing was peaceful, with great dignity, and surrounded by those who loved him dearly.”
In honor of his passing, here are five of our favorite Uncle Leo moments from Seinfeld:
1) Eyebrow Disaster.
After his eyebrows got burned off, Elaine tried to draw them back on to great hilarity. Things didn’t go so well when he sought medical help either.
2) Tattoo.
He had “Jerry” tattooed on one hand and “Hello” tattooed on the other. Talk about family love.
3) Bad Timing.
Don’t we all have a relative like Uncle Leo — one that pops up at the most inopportune times and has no idea how much we want to escape? Here’s a scene where he stops Jerry and George when they’re late for a meeting.
4) Conspiracy Theory.
Of course his burger was overcooked because the chef was an anti-Semite.
5) Last Name Forever Unknown.
Though the show teased with it, his last name was never revealed. He’ll forever be known just as Uncle Leo.