No More "Uncle Leo" of Seinfeld : The Death of Len Lesser

THE actor who played Uncle Leo in the television sitcom Seinfeld died yesterday aged 88. Len Lesser passed away from cancer-related pneumonia at an aged care facility in Burbank, California, his family said in a statement.

sources

"Heaven got a great comedian and actor today," his daughter Michele said in the statement.

"The outpouring of sympathy we've already received has been amazing and is so greatly appreciated. Thank you to all the people who helped make my father's last journey special and surrounded with love," the statement added.

Lesser made the eccentric Uncle Leo character a stalwart of the Seinfeld series, stealing scenes with his trademark "Jerry, hello!" greeting.

He appeared in 15 episodes of the hit sitcom between 1991 and 1998, including part two of the show's finale, according to IMDB.

Lesser also appeared in nine episodes of the comedy "Everybody Loves Raymond" as a friend of Raymond's father Frank.

Born in New York in 1922, he began his acting career in the 1950s, chalking up hundreds of performances on television and the stage.

Lesser is survived by his daughter Michele, his son David, his wife Julie, and his grandchildren, Jonathan, Kayla and Mayah.

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The Death of Fitness Guru Jack LaLanne

LOS ANGELES – Jack LaLanne was prodding Americans to get off their couches and into the gym decades before it was cool. And he was still pumping iron and pushing fruits and vegetables decades past most Americans' retirement age.

The fitness fanatic ate well and exercised — and made it his mission to make sure everyone did the same — right up to the end at age 96, friends and family said.

LaLanne died Sunday at his home in Morro Bay on California's central coast, longtime agent Rick Hersh said. The cause was respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

"I have not only lost my husband and a great American icon, but the best friend and most loving partner anyone could ever hope for," Elaine LaLanne, LaLanne's wife of 51 years and a frequent partner in his television appearances, said in a written statement.

Lalanne, who had heart valve surgery two years ago, maintained a youthful physique and joked in 2006 that "I can't afford to die. It would wreck my image."

"He was amazing," said 87-year-old former "Price is Right" host Bob Barker, who credited LaLanne's encouragement with helping him to start exercising often.

"He never lost enthusiasm for life and physical fitness," Barker told The Associated Press on Sunday. "I saw him in about 2007 and he still looked remarkably good. He still looked like the same enthusiastic guy that he always was."

By ANDREW DALTON

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