Seinfeld star Len Lesser dies at 88

American actor Len Lesser, best known for his recurring role as Uncle Leo on popular television sitcom Seinfeld, has passed away aged 88, his daughter Michele has announced.

The star, who had an eccentric personality on the hit comedy series and also appeared in Everybody Loves Raymond, died of cancer-related pneumonia in Los Angeles.

Paying tribute to her father in the statement, Michele said: "Heaven got a great comedian and actor today. The outpouring of sympathy we've already received has been amazing and is so greatly appreciated."

She went on to add: "Thank you to all the people who helped make my father's last journey special and surrounded with love."

Lesser, who played Sergeant Bellamy in Clint Eastwood's Kelly's Heroes, appeared in a number of television programmes, including Get Smart, The Munsters, The Rockford Files and ER.

As well as working with Eastwood, the actor collaborated with many leading names, including Barbra Streisand, Lee Marvin, Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen.