"Seinfeld" Uncle Leo, Len Lesser, dies - Hollywood Reporter

Craig Schwartz

Len Lesser "Awake and Sing" less noise inside, in March 2010.

Len Lesser, perhaps better known as Uncle Leo on Seinfeld's career, but a veteran of more than 500 appearances in film, television and on stage during his ten to six actor died Wednesday of pneumonia in Burbank associated with cancer. He was 88th

Lesser's first love was theater, and it appeared to criticism in recent years in Los Angeles Noise Within, one of the countries leading classical repertory theater, most recently, Clifford Odets Awake and Sing! This spring.

"Lesser almost steals the show several times," said Hoyt Hilsman backstage.

Other stage roles Butterfly at the Mark Taper Forum, Captain Brass linked to conversion to the Ahmanson, The Legacy at the Old Globe Theatre and The Birthday Party at ACT. He studied at the American Theatre Wing and Uta Hagen, Lee Strasberg, and Milton Katselas.

The New Yorker and graduate of City College also had more than 50 feature films to his credit, including Birdman of Alcatraz (1962), the brave (1970), Papillon (1973), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) Death Hunt (1981).

A veteran of television since its inception, he has appeared on hundreds of shows since 1955, including such classics as "Get Smart, That Girl, The Munsters, The Monkees, The Rockford Files, Bonanza, Ironside, Kojak, the best years, Carolina City, ER, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Quincy, Mad About You, All in the Family, Boy Meets World "and" Everybody Loves Raymond (in which the recurring role of Gavin).

Little appeared in 15 episodes as Jerry's Uncle Leo on Seinfeld. His character has the word "Jerry" the fingers of his right hand and "Hello" on the fingers of his left hand, the spelling of its slogan tattooed on.

Survivors include his daughter Michele Small, his son, David Lesser, David's wife, Julie and her little son, Jonathan, Kayla and Mayah.

"The sky is a great comedian and actor received today. The outpouring of compassion we have received is unbelievable and is greatly appreciated," said Michele.

It was announced a private memorial service with details of a public memorial service at a noise inside. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations to an interior noise in Glendale, California,