As a true Seinfeld buff, I relish the opportunity to meet anyone who has ever been associated with the show, no matter how small their roles may have been. The two guys here both had memorable roles of playing bosses to two of the major characters. Richard Herd (seen at right with Jason Alexander) played George’s immediate supervisor when he worked for the New York Yankees in 11 episodes of the show, including the finale. His roles go well beyond his stint on Seinfeld though, as he appeared on many TV shows such as M*A*S*H, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and a major recurring role on T.J. Hooker. Film credits include All the Presidents Men, Private Benjamin, and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
Another one of the Seinfeld bosses was Mr. Pitt, who was played by Ian Abercrombie. I had previously met Mr. Abercrombie in 2005 when he attended the stage performance of Casablanca at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood in 2005 (that encounter can be seen here).
Ian Abercrombie had portrayed Elaine’s boss Justin Pitt in seven episodes of the series, including the finale. Like Richard Herd, he also has an incredibly long list of TV and film appearances dating back to the late 1960’s. He might be seen in such films as The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Wild Wild West, and Inland Empire. TV appearances are many and include Get Smart, Columbo, Happy Days, Moonlighting, Coach, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Ironically I had just come directly form a Twin Peaks reunion at the Hollywood Show, and Abercrombie had starred in one episode of that series as well.
Both of these gentlemen actors had been performing in the California Radio Arts Theatre presentation at the Beverly Garland Theatre in Burbank on Saturday, October 9, 2010. Although we didn’t see the show, I was with my friends Jimmy, David, and Steve to greet some of the performers after the show.
I didn’t have anything for Richard Herd to sign, so I just settled for a photo with him. And although I already had one, I got another picture with Ian Abercrombie. After obtaining a program from the show that they just performed, I had him sign that as he worked his way out of the theatre later on (the program can be seen here).
With Mr. Wilhelm, Richard Herd
With Mr. Pitt, Ian Abercrombie
It’s always a thrill to meet cast members from Seinfeld, and even more so when they are such kind gentleman as these two were.
Celebrities I met at the CART show will conclude in the next posting…
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