Len Lesser, actor best known for role of Uncle Leo in 'Seinfeld,' dies

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Len Lesser, the man who played the good-natured cheapskate Uncle Leo on "Seinfeld," died on Wednesday from cancer-related pneumonia, his family said. He was 88.

Best known for his enthusiastic "hello" for his nephew Jerry and his wild eyebrows, Lesser appeared in 15 episodes of the hit 1990s NBC show.

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

Lesser's classic "Seinfeld" scenes include chastising Jerry for not saying hello to him when he catches his elderly uncle shoplifting a book ("You still say hello") and his constant bragging about his son, Jeffrey, who works at the Parks Department ("You should read the letters he's written").

In addition to "Seinfeld," Lesser's TV career spanned six decades, mostly in bit roles on hit shows such as "Everybody Loves Raymond," "ER," "Kojak," and "All in the Family."

Most recently, Lesser appeared on the ABC show "Castle" in 2009.

Lesser is survived by two children and three grandchildren.