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Ian Abercrombie Dead: 'Seinfeld' Actor Dies At 77

Ian Abercrombie Dead

First Posted: 01/28/2012 12:51 pm Updated: 01/28/2012 1:26 pm

After nearly 50 years in the business, "Seinfeld" actor Ian Abercrombie died on Thursday at 77 years old. The TV icon who played Elaine Benes' (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) boss on Jerry Seinfeld's sitcom, passed away in Hollywood. He is survived by three brothers.

Although Abercrombie made a name for himself as Elaine's quirky boss, who cut his candy bars with a knife and fork and was more than a little particular about his socks, his most recent television run was on the Disney channel hit "Wizards of Waverly Place," playing three-thousand-year-old wizard school headmaster, Professor Crumbs.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Abercrombie was busy working during the final days of his life. He had reportedly just finished lending his voice to the animated Cartoon Network series, "Green Lantern."

Though Abercrombie did venture into movies, the majority of his career was played out in living rooms across the nation, on TV. Abercrombie earned roles in a breadth of TV genres including parts in "Columbo" (1972), "Who's The Boss" (1985), "Dynasty" (1984-1988), "Birds Of Prey" (2002-2003) and "Desperate Housewives" (2006).

For more details, head over to The Hollywood Reporter.


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23 minutes ago ( 9:48 PM)
these days they will call u antisemite if u share jokes from that show. U gonna lose your job then. Seinfeld... too risky
27 minutes ago ( 9:43 PM)
If u share jokes u saw on Seinfeld fellow Americans will call u antisemite these days, more likely they will fire u from work. U have not to tell anybody u watching Seinfeld. Watch it secretly. times are changed 2012 in not as free as 1993
02:16 PM on 01/30/2012
why is Chord Overstreet there for the cast of Glee? i thought he got fired off the show?
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humuhumunukunukuapuaa
I live on Maui and you don't.
09:45 PM on 01/29/2012
I loved the episode where he was frustrated because he could not see the 3-D artwork. LOL!
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William A
Oh Lord, save me from your followers!
08:51 PM on 01/29/2012
Those Seinfeld episodes were about 20 years ago, was he really only 57'ish in those?
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Suzanne Brewton
When I want your opinion I'll give it to you.
05:35 PM on 01/29/2012
Was Elaine found nearby holding a pillow.......

Seriously, he nailed the Mr. Pitt character completely. Glad I will still get to watch him on my Seinfeld DVDs.
Condolances to his family and friends.
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billywms
03:46 PM on 01/29/2012
First Uncle Leo and now him!-sad : > (
03:06 PM on 01/29/2012
The Mister Pitt and Elaine dynamic illustrated how much suck there can be in earning a living in a "service" economy where subservience to the Better Than You class is de rigueur.

Ian Ambercrombie brilliantly presented a portrait of a cossetted, self-absorbed one percenter before we knew they were there.

The great thing about the Seinfeld show, it was a mosaic of truth, satire, silliness and human interactions by some very talented, undersung actors.

RIP Ian. Thanks.
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FSMbaby
Life is good!
02:54 PM on 01/29/2012
I had to click on the article to see which Seinfeld actor it was. I didn't even recognize him. He looked so thin and frail. They never did mention how he died in the article. Sad. He was very funny as Mr. Pitt. He's one of those character actors you've seen a thousand times but didn't really know his name, just the face.
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Don Stalvino
2006 & 2011 TIME's Person of the Year
02:50 PM on 01/29/2012
He was great on "The King of Queens". Rest In Piece.
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03:48 PM on 01/29/2012
What character do you recall him playing on "The King of Queens"? Are you sure you aren't confusing him with Jerry Stiller, who played Arthur?
11:34 AM on 01/29/2012
I love the clip when he's using pencils instead of pens
centsable
Baracking the vote...2012
02:02 PM on 01/29/2012
Or how about eating a candy bar with a knife and fork...RIP!!!
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TheLastLuddite
11:16 AM on 01/29/2012
RIP Ian Abercrombie (aka Mr. Pitt). Loved him and his antics. They kept me entertained through most of the 90's. You will be missed.
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Snippert
And heeeere come the pretzels!
11:00 AM on 01/29/2012
He finds his laugh "intoxicating."
11:00 AM on 01/29/2012
He was funny a couple times as Mr Pitt. The socks episode was a good one.
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10:49 AM on 01/29/2012
I hope Mr. Abercrombie knew how much joy his "Mr. Pitt" role created. I must have watched those episodes 100 times and I still laugh. Sorry to read of his death.