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Wikipedia

Len Lesser

January 25, 2023

Leonard King Lesser (December 3, 1922 – February 16, 2011) was an American character actor. He was known for his recurring role as Uncle Leo in a total of 15 episodes of Seinfeld,[1] starting during the show's second season in the episode "The Pony Remark". Lesser was also known for his role as Garvin on Everybody Loves Raymond.

Len Lesser
Born
Leonard King Lesser

(1922-12-03)December 3, 1922
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
DiedFebruary 16, 2011(2011-02-16) (aged 88)
Burbank, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1949–2011
Spouse
Janice Burrell
​
​
(m. 1954; div. 1982)​
Children2

Early life

Lesser was born in New York City in 1922. His father, a grocer, was a Jewish immigrant from Poland. Lesser received his bachelor's degree from the City College of New York in 1942 at the age of 19.[2] Lesser enlisted in the United States Army the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and served in the China Burma India Theater during World War II.[3] While there, he was promoted to sergeant.

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 That Girl, The Untouchables, Peter Gunn, Mr. Lucky, The Outer Limits, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Gunsmoke, Kentucky Jones, Green Acres, Get Smart, Bat Masterson, Family Affair, The Monkees, Quincy, M.E., The Rockford Files, The Amazing Spider-Man, Mad About You, All in the Family, Boy Meets World, Smart Guy, My Favorite Martian, The Munsters, and Castle. He appeared in a variety of films such as Birdman of Alcatraz (1962), How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965), Kelly's Heroes (1970), Blood and Lace (1971), Dirty Little Billy (1972), Papillon (1973), Truck Stop Women (1974), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), Supervan (1977), Moonshine County Express (1977), Ruby (1977), Death Hunt (1981), Take This Job and Shove It (1981), Grandmother's House (1988) and Baadasssss! (2003). He also guest starred on the Sabrina the Teenage Witch episode "Tick Tock Hilda's Clock."[4]

Later years

Lesser 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 (just as Lesser did in his recurring role on Seinfeld as "Uncle Leo" whenever he saw his nephew Jerry). He also appeared in Jeff Seymour's stage production of Cold Storage at the University of Toronto's George Ignatieff Theatre.[5]

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

References

  1. ^ . seinfeldonline.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  2. ^ Weber, Bruce. "Len Lesser, Uncle Leo on 'Seinfeld', Dies at 88", The New York Times. 2011-02-17.
  3. ^ Obituary, latimes.com, February 17, 2011.
  4. ^ Len Lesser at IMDb
  5. ^ "First Person: Len Lesser on Uncle Leo's new life". National Post.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ Allen, Floyd (February 18, 2011). . ibtimes.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  7. ^ Seinfeld's 'Uncle Leo' dead at 88, cnn.com, February 16, 2011.
  8. ^ Zakarin, Jordan (February 17, 2011). "Uncle Leo's 'Seinfeld' Scenes: Jerry Remembers His Favorite". Huffington Post.

External links

January 25, 2023
lesser, leonard, king, lesser, december, 1922, february, 2011, american, character, actor, known, recurring, role, uncle, total, episodes, seinfeld, starting, during, show, second, season, episode, pony, remark, lesser, also, known, role, garvin, everybody, lo. Leonard King Lesser December 3 1922 February 16 2011 was an American character actor He was known for his recurring role as Uncle Leo in a total of 15 episodes of Seinfeld 1 starting during the show s second season in the episode The Pony Remark Lesser was also known for his role as Garvin on Everybody Loves Raymond Len LesserBornLeonard King Lesser 1922 12 03 December 3 1922The Bronx New York U S DiedFebruary 16 2011 2011 02 16 aged 88 Burbank California U S OccupationActorYears active1949 2011SpouseJanice Burrell m 1954 div 1982 wbr Children2 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Later years 4 Death 5 Selected filmography 6 References 7 External linksEarly life EditLesser was born in New York City in 1922 His father a grocer was a Jewish immigrant from Poland Lesser received his bachelor s degree from the City College of New York in 1942 at the age of 19 2 Lesser enlisted in the United States Army the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor and served in the China Burma India Theater during World War II 3 While there he was promoted to sergeant Career EditLesser was a prolific character actor in film TV and on stage He appeared on American television steadily since 1955 on programs such as That Girl The Untouchables Peter Gunn Mr Lucky The Outer Limits Alfred Hitchcock Presents Gunsmoke Kentucky Jones Green Acres Get Smart Bat Masterson Family Affair The Monkees Quincy M E The Rockford Files The Amazing Spider Man Mad About You All in the Family Boy Meets World Smart Guy My Favorite Martian The Munsters and Castle He appeared in a variety of films such as Birdman of Alcatraz 1962 How to Stuff a Wild Bikini 1965 Kelly s Heroes 1970 Blood and Lace 1971 Dirty Little Billy 1972 Papillon 1973 Truck Stop Women 1974 The Outlaw Josey Wales 1976 Supervan 1977 Moonshine County Express 1977 Ruby 1977 Death Hunt 1981 Take This Job and Shove It 1981 Grandmother s House 1988 and Baadasssss 2003 He also guest starred on the Sabrina the Teenage Witch episode Tick Tock Hilda s Clock 4 Later years EditLesser 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 just as Lesser did in his recurring role on Seinfeld as Uncle Leo whenever he saw his nephew Jerry He also appeared in Jeff Seymour s stage production of Cold Storage at the University of Toronto s George Ignatieff Theatre 5 Death EditOn 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 EditShack 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 This Could Be the Night 1957 Piano Tuner uncredited Slaughter on Tenth Avenue 1957 Sam uncredited 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 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 amp 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 Edit 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 Len Lesser at 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 EditLen Lesser at Find a Grave Len Lesser at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Len Lesser amp oldid 1116640457, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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