Actor. He was born to Jewish parents, Charles Bernard Lesser and Rebecca Lillian (nee Weinerman) Lesser. He had over 500 television, film and stage appearances over a 60-year career, but is probably best remembered for his role as Uncle Leo in the 1990s hit TV sitcom "Seinfeld." Born Leonard King Lesser in the Bronx, he launched his acting career in 1949 with an episode of TV's "Studio One in Hollywood." He went on to appear in dozens of TV shows, including "Dragnet," "The Thin Man," "Gunsmoke," "The Untouchables," "Get Smart," "All in the Family," and "Kojak." In most of these he was seen only once or twice, and his appealing performances as Uncle Leo in "Seinfeld" brought him a celebrity he had scarcely imagined. (He told a reporter that a "Seinfeld" fan approached him at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, quoting Leo's dialogue). Lesser then enjoyed another recurring role, as Garvin in the sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond." He also appeared in a number of films, including "Kelly's Heroes" (1970), "Papillon" (1973), "The Outlaw Josey Wales" (1976), and "Baadasssss" (2003).
Actor. He was born to Jewish parents, Charles Bernard Lesser and Rebecca Lillian (nee Weinerman) Lesser. He had over 500 television, film and stage appearances over a 60-year career, but is probably best remembered for his role as Uncle Leo in the 1990s hit TV sitcom "Seinfeld." Born Leonard King Lesser in the Bronx, he launched his acting career in 1949 with an episode of TV's "Studio One in Hollywood." He went on to appear in dozens of TV shows, including "Dragnet," "The Thin Man," "Gunsmoke," "The Untouchables," "Get Smart," "All in the Family," and "Kojak." In most of these he was seen only once or twice, and his appealing performances as Uncle Leo in "Seinfeld" brought him a celebrity he had scarcely imagined. (He told a reporter that a "Seinfeld" fan approached him at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, quoting Leo's dialogue). Lesser then enjoyed another recurring role, as Garvin in the sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond." He also appeared in a number of films, including "Kelly's Heroes" (1970), "Papillon" (1973), "The Outlaw Josey Wales" (1976), and "Baadasssss" (2003).
Bio by: C & N Rasmussen
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