Most younger people will remember actor Len Lesser as Uncle Leo on Seinfeld, but his acting credits are a walk down memory lane for old farts like me.
Lesser landed his first role in 1949 when he appeared in the TV series Studio One in Hollywood. It was the beginning of an acting career that would span more than 60 years.
It’s a safe bet he didn’t know his career would include roles in some of the greatest television shows and films ever produced.
Lesser’s more notable television roles include Dragnet, Gunsmoke, The Outer Limits, The Wild Wild West, My Favorite Martian, Get Smart, Green Acres, All in the Family, Bonanza, The Mod Squad, Kojak, The Rockford Files, Falcon Crest, Mad About You, Boy Meets World, Seinfeld and Everybody Loves Raymond.
He also had roles in several Clint Eastwood films, including Kelly’s Heroes in 1970 and The Outlaw Josey Wales in 1976. Lesser also appeared in the 1973 film Papillon, staring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman.
While it’s fine most people will remember Lesser for his role on Seinfeld and the “Jerry, hello!” greeting each time he ran into his nephew, I prefer to remember him for his role in one of my favorite films, The Outlaw Josey Wales.
In case you haven’t seen the movie, the scene in the video below takes place after Josey Wales and his wounded friend Jamie (played by Sam Bottoms) are resting near the bank of a river when Abe (played by Lesser) and Lige (played by Doug McGrath) sneak up on Wales.
In a movie full of great scenes and lines, Lesser earns his way into the film’s memorable moments when he says to Wales that “you’re a real bushog, ain’tcha Mr. Josey Wales?” and to drop his pistols and move real slow, “cause I can count the hairrrrrs on that hand.”
Len Lesser had a great career and left behind a lot of lasting memories. Rest in peace Len.
Enjoy the video.
