SEINFELD's 'Mr. Pitt', Ian Abercrombie Dies at Age 77

Ian Abercrombie, best known as the actor who played the onerous 'Mr. Pitt' on NBC's Seinfeld, died last Thursday in Los Angeles. The actor was 77 years old.

Abercrombie was a classically trained British actor whose career in movies and television dated back to 1955. He was seen most recently on TV playing an 800-year-old wizard in “Wizards of Waverly Place” and as a butler on “Desperate Housewives.”

In his memorable role of Mr. Pitt, the actor portrayed the uppity New York socialite who hired Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) to be his long suffering assistant. His character first appeared in seven episodes of the 1994 -5 season of Seinfeld. On the show, Mr. Pitt was originally attracted to Elaine because of her striking resemblance to Jackie Kennedy Onassis. 

Abercrombie began his career as a dancer, before spending four decades acting on the stage, screen and TV.