Len Lesser
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- December 3, 1922 in New York City, New York, USA
- Died
- February 16, 2011
- Active Years
- 1948–2009 (62 Years)
- Total Credits
- 166 credits in database
Biography
Leonard King Lesser, also known as Len Lesser, was an American character actor and comedian. Born in the Bronx, New York City, on December 3, 1922, he was the son of a Polish-Jewish immigrant. Lesser was known for his work in both television and film. His most famous role was that of Uncle Leo, the maternal uncle of protagonist Jerry Seinfeld in the sitcom Seinfeld. He played this recurring role from 1991 to the series finale in 1998, with his appearances beginning during the show's second season in the episode titled The Pony Remark. Additionally, he was known for his role as Garvin on Everybody Loves Raymond and for his key role in the Clint Eastwood movie Kelly's Heroes. Lesser died on February 16, 2011, at the age of 88.
Career overview
Leonard King Lesser, also known as Len Lesser, was an American character actor and comedian born on December 3, 1922, in the Bronx, New York City. Throughout a career that included 154 known acting credits, he became widely recognized for his television and film work. In the realm of television, he was best known for his recurring role as Uncle Leo, the maternal uncle of protagonist Jerry Seinfeld in the sitcom Seinfeld. Lesser began playing this role during the show's second season in the episode titled The Pony Remark, continuing in the part from 1991 until the series finale in 1998. In addition to his work on Seinfeld, he was known for his role as Garvin on Everybody Loves Raymond.
Lesser also appeared in feature films, including a key role in the Clint Eastwood movie Kelly's Heroes. As the son of a Polish-Jewish immigrant, his career spanned multiple decades and included contributions as both an actor and a soundtrack contributor. Lesser passed away on February 16, 2011, at the age of 88.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
166 titles- Castle (2009) as Neighbour
- The Wedding Bells (2007) as Peppy Miller
- 'Til Death (2006) as Gus
- Frankenstein & the Werewolf Reborn! (2005) as Inspector Krol (archive footage)
- Quintuplets (2004) as Morty
- Kramer vs. Kramer: Kenny to Cosmo (2004) as Self
- Baadasssss! (2004) as Manny & Mort Goldberg
- Cold Case (2003) as Elmer Gibbins (2007)
- Rock Me Baby (2003) as Harvey
- Son of the Beach (2000)
- True Friends (1998) as Mr. Slotnick
- The Werewolf Reborn! (1998) as Krol
- Just Shoot Me! (1997) as Uncle Jimmy
- Smart Guy (1997) as Sidney
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996) as Eugene
- Everybody Loves Raymond (1996) as Garvin
- Caroline in the City (1995) as Waiter
- Platypus Man (1995) as Rabbi Rosenbaum
- Rave Review (1995) as Al
- ER (1994) as Woody Ebbots
- Boy Meets World (1993) as Arnie Heck
- The John Larroquette Show (1993) as Preacher
- Mad About You (1992) as Uncle Arnold
- Sorority Girls and the Creature from Hell (1991) as Tex
- Ain't No Way Back (1990) as Papa Campbell
- Mob Boss (1990) as Don Caglianoti
- Faith (1990) as Uncle Sal
- Seinfeld (1989) as Uncle Leo
- Spy (1989) as Dr. Obediah Stern
- Grandmother's House (1988) as Grandfather
- thirtysomething (1987)
- Tour of Duty (1987) as Clayton - WWII Vet (uncredited)
- Amazing Stories (1986) as Old Grave Robber
- Amazing Stories (1985) as Old Grave Digger
- Airwolf (1984) as Villain
- Du-beat-e-o (1984) as Hendricks
- Hardcastle and McCormick (1983) as Sam
- Remington Steele (1982) as Anthony Torrance
- Falcon Crest (1981) as Professor McCloud
- Simon & Simon (1981) as Slater
- Death Hunt (1981) as Lewis
- Take This Job and Shove It (1981) as Roach
- Through the Magic Pyramid (1981) as Naktah
- Enos (1980)
- The Main Event (1979) as Trainer At Big Bear
- Someone's Watching Me! (1978) as Burly Man
- House Calls (1978) as Waiter
- The Love Boat (1977) as Stryker
- The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977)
- Code R (1977) as Leo
- Spider-Man (1977) as Henchman
- Moonshine County Express (1977) as Scoggins
- Ruby (1977) as Barney
- Joyride to Nowhere (1977) as Charlie
- Supervan (1977) as Banks
- Quincy, M.E. (1976) as Dr. DeGroot
- The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) as Abe
- Switch (1975) as Pelky
- Switch (1975) as Salesman
- Barbary Coast (1975) as Clerk
- The Rockford Files (1974) as Colby
- Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974) as Crowley
- Truck Stop Women (1974) as Winter
- It's Good to Be Alive (1974) as Man at Accident
- Kojak (1973) as Mr. Morgan
- Kojak (1973) as Hinton
- Papillon (1973) as Guard
- Slither (1973) as Jogger
- The Bob Newhart Show (1972) as Mr. Schwab
- Delphi Bureau (1972) as Mockthornton
- Dirty Little Billy (1972) as Slits
- All in the Family (1971) as Billy Pendergast
- McMillan & Wife (1971) as Benny Carr
- The Partners (1971)
- Blood and Lace (1971) as Tom Kredge
- Kelly's Heroes (1970) as Platoon Sgt. Bellamy (42nd Engineers)
- Medical Center (1969)
- The Bill Cosby Show (1969) as Supervisor
- The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (1969) as Joe Boland
- Land of the Giants (1968) as Prisoner
- The Outsider (1968)
- The Mod Squad (1968) as Burns
- Ironside (1967) as Frank Bender
- Judd, for the Defense (1967)
- The Second Hundred Years (1967) as Norton
- Mr. Terrific (1967) as Novnik
- The Last Challenge (1967) as Ed (uncredited)
- How I Spent My Summer Vacation (1967) as The Greek
- The Monkees (1966) as George
- The Monkees (1966) as Red
- That Girl (1966)
- Love on a Rooftop (1966) as Junk Shop Owner
- Run, Buddy, Run (1966)
- Fireball 500 (1966) as Man In Garage
- The Wild Wild West (1965) as Mason
- Get Smart (1965) as Luden
- Get Smart (1965) as Rudolph
- Get Smart (1965) as Vogel
- The F.B.I. (1965) as Ghost
- Green Acres (1965) as Man
- Honey West (1965) as Mr. Crimm
- Laredo (1965)
- How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965) as North Dakota Pete
- McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force (1965) as NKVD commissar
- The Munsters (1964) as Manikoo
- The Rogues (1964) as Priest
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) as Le Bombard
- The Outer Limits (1963) as Sforza Water/Power worker
- My Favorite Martian (1963) as Hank
- My Favorite Martian (1963) as Carlo
- Arrest and Trial (1963) as Biggy
- The Great Adventure (1963) as Varnes
- Temple Houston (1963) as Orley Baldwin
- Stoney Burke (1962) as Detective
- Stoney Burke (1962) as Leo
- Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) as Burns (uncredited)
- Smog (1962) as Lelio Marpicati
- Ben Casey (1961)
- The Investigators (1961) as Puppeteer
- Bells Are Ringing (1960) as Charlie Bessemer (uncredited)
- Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960) as Waiter at Sardi's (uncredited)
- Bonanza (1959) as Fred Gaskell
- Bonanza (1959) as Art Fancher
- The Untouchables (1959) as Gunther
- Adventures in Paradise (1959) as Lasser
- The Detectives (1959) as Jack Hasset
- Lock-Up (1959) as Carl Kincaid
- The Third Man (1959) as Najian
- Johnny Staccato (1959)
- Mr. Lucky (1959) as Gunman
- Tightrope (1959) as The Hood (uncredited)
- Crime and Punishment USA (1959) as Desk Officer
- Peter Gunn (1958)
- Bat Masterson (1958) as Frank Holloway
- The Texan (1958) as Matt Kiley
- The Texan (1958) as Brad
- Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (1958) as Zig Segman
- Some Came Running (1958) as Indianapolis Poker Player (uncredited)
- Old Man (1958) as Man with Gun
- The Man Who Died Twice (1958) as Minelli
- Have Gun, Will Travel (1957) as Boldt
- Tombstone Territory (1957) as Hugh Dawson
- The Thin Man (1957)
- Official Detective (1957)
- Panic! (1957)
- Slaughter on 10th Avenue (1957) as Sam (Uncredited)
- Lust for Life (1956) as Cartoonist (uncredited)
- Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956) as Reporter at Sparring Session (uncredited)
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Townsman (uncredited)
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Thug
- Shack Out on 101 (1955) as Perch
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Friedman
- The Big Break (1953) as Hunk
- The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Big Mike Miller
- The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Percival Cutthroat
- The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Bum / Slippery Scottty Sutton
- The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Legs
- The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Killer McBumpoff
- Dragnet (1951)
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as First Card Player
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Goon #2
- The Jack Benny Program (1950) as Bank Robber #2
- The Jack Benny Program (1950) as Muggsy McGurk
- Suspense (1949) as Man at Baseball Game (uncredited)
- Man Against Crime (1949) as Hoodlum (uncredited)
- Studio One (1948)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Len Lesser best known for?
Len Lesser is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Castle (2009), Carne (1991), Wet Hot American Summer (2001), The Devil's Rejects (2005).
When and where was Len Lesser born?
Len Lesser was born on December 3, 1922 in New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on February 16, 2011.
How many credits does Len Lesser have?
Len Lesser has accumulated over 166 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1948 to 2009.
What is Len Lesser's background in cinema and television?
Leonard King Lesser, also known as Len Lesser, was an American character actor and comedian. Born in the Bronx, New York City, on December 3, 1922, he was the son of a Polish-Jewish immigrant. Lesser was known for his work in both television and film. His most famous role was that of Uncle Leo, the maternal uncle of pr...
Len Lesser by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Boy Meets World (1993) as Arnie Heck — aged about 70
- Seinfeld (1989) as Uncle Leo — aged about 66
- Barbary Coast (1975) as Clerk — aged about 52
- Arrest and Trial (1963) as Biggy — aged about 40
- Tour of Duty (1987) as Clayton - WWII Vet (uncredited) — aged about 64
- Castle (2009) as Neighbour — aged about 86
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