Ian Abercrombie dies at 77

British-born actor Ian Abercrombie, who memorably carried out Mr. Pitt, Elaine's wealthy, persnickety boss, on "Seinfeld," died Thursday, Jan. 26, in La from complications of kidney failure. He was 77 and recently happen to be recognized with lymphoma. Lately Abercrombie had recurred becoming an 800-year-old wizard on Disney Channel's "The Masters of magic of Waverly Place," did voicework for "Alien: Clone Wars" as Chancellor Palpatine and Darth Sidious and will be a series regular on "Wild wild birds of Prey" (as Alfred Pennyworth, Batman's butler). But because they will be a near-constant presence round the smallscreen since the late sixties -- with 127 TV credits, in line with the IMDb -- and came out in a lot of films, Abercrombie considered themselves a stage actor to begin with. Born in Grays, Kent, Abercrombie began his showbiz career just like a dancer onstage throughout Second world war. Later he gained his U.S. stage debut in the 1955 output of "Stalag 17" with Jason Robards and completed in plays in summer season stock, regional and Off Broadway venues. Drafted to the U.S. Military in 1957, he offered in Special Services situated in Germany, pointing a output of "Separate Tables" and turning up with Olivia p Havilland in their touring show. The actor settled in California after his Military stint. Stage credits within the last 4 decades include "Mary Stuart," with Marsha Mason "Crucifer of Blood stream," with Charlton Heston "The Wrong Box," with Bill Hutton "Bent" "The Vortex," with Rupert Everett "Lettice and Lovage" "Sweet Prince," with Keir Dullea "A Doll's House," with Linda Purl and "The Arcata Promise" opposite Anthony Hopkins. The actor came recognition from the primary one-guy show "Jean Cocteau -Body Image" and carried out Alfie Doolittle in "My Fair Lady." After making his smallscreen debut in 1965 on "Burke's Law," Abercrombie ongoing to produce guest looks on "Dragnet" and "Get Smart" on "Columbo," "Barnaby Manley," "Cannon" and "The 6 000 0000 Dollar Guy" and, through the eighties, on shows including "Quincy," "Happy Days," "Fantasy Island," "Three's Company," "L.A. Law" and "Moonlighting." Through the decade more youthful crowd stood a recurring role round the NBC cleaning cleaning soap "Santa Barbara," which he guested on primetime sudsers including "Falcon Crest" and "Empire," while later he came out on "General Hospital" and "Occasions in our Life-style.Inch Through the the 19 nineties he came out on "The Nanny," "Murphy Brown," "Northern Exposure," "Blossom," "Touched by an Angel" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," to title only a few. Recent credits incorporated "Desperate Regular folksInch and "Generate An Income Met Your Mother." Abercrombie's film credits include "Military of Darkness" (through which he carried out Wiseman), "Wild Wild West," "Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School" and David Lynch's "Inland Empire," which he did voicework on animated photos including "Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties" and last year's "Rango." The actor will be a founding member and former board part of BAFTA-LA additionally to some board member for your Stars Fund. Abercrombie is managed to get by three brothers and sisters. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com