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 ''Seinfeld'' ( ) is an American television sitcom created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, with a total of nine seasons consisting of List of Seinfeld episodes, 180 episodes. It ...

''. He was also known for his role as Garvin on '' Everybody Loves Raymond.''

Early life

Lesser was born in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

in 1922. His father, a grocer, was a Jewish immigrant from

Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...

. Lesser received his

bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Medieval Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years ...

from the

City College of New York The City College of the City University of New York (also known as the City College of New York, or simply City College or CCNY) is a Public university, public research university within the City University of New York (CUNY) system in New York ...

in 1942 at the age of 19.Weber, Bruce
"Len Lesser, Uncle Leo on 'Seinfeld', Dies at 88"
''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

''. 2011-02-17. Lesser enlisted in the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary Land warfare, land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of th ...

the day after the

attack on Pearl Harbor The attack on Pearl HarborAlso known as the Battle of Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike by the Empire of Japan on the United States Pacific Fleet at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, its naval base at Pearl Harbor on Oahu, Territory of ...

, and served in the China Burma India Theater during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

.Obituary
latimes.com, February 17, 2011. 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 ''Peter Gunn'' is an American detective fiction, private eye television series, starring Craig Stevens (actor), Craig Stevens as Peter Gunn with Lola Albright as his girlfriend, lounge singer Edie Hart. The series was broadcast by NBC from Sept ...

'', '' Have Gun - Will Travel'', '' Mr. Lucky'', '' The Outer Limits'', ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 ...

'', ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centered on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central charact ...

'', ''

Kentucky Jones ''Kentucky Jones'' is an American comedy-drama television series starring Dennis Weaver which centers around a widowed Southern California veterinarian and rancher raising an adopted Chinese boy. Original episodes aired from September 19, 1964, u ...

'', '' Green Acres'', ''

Get Smart ''Get Smart'' is an American comedy television series parodying the Spy fiction, secret agent genre that had become widely popular in the first half of the 1960s with the release of the ''James Bond'' films. It was created by Mel Brooks and Bu ...

'', ''

Bat Masterson Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson (November 26, 1853 – October 25, 1921) was a U.S. Army scout, lawman, professional gambler, and journalist known for his exploits in the late 19th and early 20th-century American Old West. He was bo ...

'', '' Family Affair'', ''

The Monkees The Monkees were an American pop rock band formed in Los Angeles in the mid-1960s. The band consisted of Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones (musician), Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork. Spurred by the success of ''The Monkees (TV series), Th ...

'', '' Quincy, M.E.'', '' The Rockford Files'', ''

The Amazing Spider-Man ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' is an ongoing American superhero American comic book, comic book series featuring the Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man as its title character and main protagonist. Being in the Earth 616, mainstream continuity of t ...

'', '' Mad About You'', ''

All in the Family ''All in the Family'' is an American sitcoms in the United States, sitcom television series that aired on CBS for nine seasons from January 12, 1971, to April 8, 1979, with a total of 205 episodes. It was later produced as ''Archie Bunker's Pla ...

'', '' Boy Meets World'', '' Smart Guy'', '' My Favorite Martian'', ''

The Munsters ''The Munsters'' is an American sitcom about the home life of a family of benign monsters that aired from 1964 to 1966 on CBS. The series stars Fred Gwynne as Herman Munster (Frankenstein's monster),Episodes referring to the fact that Herman is ...

'', and ''

Castle A castle is a type of fortification, fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by Military order (monastic society), military orders. Scholars usually consider a ''castle'' to be the private ...

''. Lesser was in two episodes of ''

Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 12, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 431 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running Western, the second-longest-running Western series on ...

'' "Caution, Easter Bunny Crossing", March 29, 1970, and "Heritage of Anger", September 19, 1972. 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 Ruby is a pinkish-red-to-blood-red-colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum ( aluminium oxide). Ruby is one of the most popular traditional jewelry gems and is very durable. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapph ...

'' (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."

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 The University of Toronto (UToronto or U of T) is a public university, public research university whose main campus is located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park (Toronto), Queen's Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded by ...

's George Ignatieff Theatre.

Death

On February 16, 2011, Lesser died of cancer-related pneumonia in

Burbank, California Burbank is a city in the southeastern end of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Located northwest of downtown Los Angeles, Burbank had a Census-estimated population of 102,755 as of 2023. The city was ...

, at the age of 88. After learning of Lesser's death,

Jerry Seinfeld Jerome Allen Seinfeld ( ; born April 29, 1954) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. As a stand-up comedian, Seinfeld specializes in observational comedy. Seinfeld gained stardom playing a semi-fictionalized version ...

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 Jay Scott Greenspan (born September 23, 1959), known professionally as Jason Alexander, is an American actor and comedian. Over the course of his career he has received an Emmy Award and a Tony Award as well as nominations for four Golden Globe ...

, tweeted,

Thanks to all of you for your kind remarks re: Len Lessor '' ic'. 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.

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) *''

'' (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 *''

'' (1966) - Manikoo in Heap Big Herman *'' The Last Challenge'' (1967) - Ed - the Bartender (uncredited) *''

'' (1967) – Red in S2:E13, "Monkees in Texas" *'' Kelly's Heroes'' (1970) - Sergeant Bellamy *''

'' (1970, TV Series) - Fred Gaskell *''

'' (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 *''

'' (1977) - Barney *''

Spider-Man Spider-Man is a superhero in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appearance, first appeared in the anthology comic book ''Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in ...

'' (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 Faith is confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept. In the context of religion, faith is " belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion". According to the Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, faith has multiple definitions, inc ...

'' (1990) - Uncle Sal *''Sorority Girls and the Creature from Hell'' (1990) - Tex *''Ain't No Way Back'' (1990) - Papa Campbell *''

'' (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 ''Sabrina the Teenage Witch'' is a comic book series published by Archie Comics about the adventures of a fictional American teenager named Sabrina Spellman. Sabrina was created by writer George Gladir and artist Dan DeCarlo, and first appeared ...

'' - 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 ''Quintuplets'' is an American television sitcom that aired 22 episodes on Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox from June 16, 2004, to January 12, 2005. The program starred Andy Richter and Rebecca Creskoff and shared some of their experiences parent ...

'' (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) *''

'' (2009) - Neighbour (1 episode) (Final role)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lesser, Len 1922 births 2011 deaths American male film actors American male television actors Deaths from cancer in California Deaths from pneumonia in California Jewish American male actors American people of Polish-Jewish descent United States Army personnel of World War II Male actors from the Bronx United States Army soldiers 21st-century American Jews American Ashkenazi Jews Jews from New York (state)