Seinfeld's 'Uncle Leo' dies at 88

Seinfeld star Len Lesser, who played Jerry’s eccentric Uncle Leo in several episodes, has died at the age of 88.

His family said that he died from cancer related pneumonia in Burbank, California.

'Heaven got a great comedian and actor today,' his daughter Michele said in a statement. 'The outpouring of sympathy we've already received has been amazing and is so greatly appreciated. '

Uncle Leo would always greet Jerry with the enthusiastic ‘Jerry! Hello!’ He found antisemitism in the most trivial things, and in one storyline he was arrested for shoplifting at a bookstore.

He later had a recurring role on Everybody Loves Raymond as Garvin, a friend of Frank Barone, who always lifted his arms in excitement whenever he saw Ray – the same gesture he used in Seinfeld.

His other TV appearances include Get Smart, The Munsters and The Monkees.

Here he is in Seinfeld:

And on Raymond:

Published: 17 Feb 2011