Tributes have been paid to Peter Crombie, who through his work on Seinfeld made a character “feel real and grounded and psychopathic and absurd and hilarious all at the same time”.
The American actor had a series four storyline as “Crazy” Joe Davola on the hit US comedy show.
He featured as the acquaintance of Jerry Seinfeld who becomes obsessed with him and Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).
Davola becomes angry with Seinfeld after they meet at NBC offices and he begins stalking the comedian, which culminates with an incident at the opera where he dresses like a clown for a date with Elaine.
He also appears at the pilot of Seinfeld’s comedy show, which had been pitched as a show “about nothing” by George Costanza (Jason Alexander).
Seinfeld writer Larry Charles – also known for directing Sacha Baron Cohen movies Borat, Bruno, and The Dictator – was among those paying tribute.
He wrote on Instagram: “Peter Crombie was a wonderfully subtle actor. His portrayal of Joe Davola managed to feel real and grounded and psychopathic and absurd and hilarious all at the same time.
“This was a juxtaposition I was always seeking on my Seinfeld episodes and reached a climax of sorts with ‘The Opera’.
“Seinfeld was a sitcom that could make you uncomfortable and no guest actor walked that line better than Peter.”
Crombie was also known for starring in Philip Kaufman cop film Rising Sun – opposite Sean Connery, Kevin Anderson and Wesley Snipes – David Fincher thriller Seven and crime film Natural Born Killers.
https://t.co/txXmTnHN58Am heartbroken by the death of my good friend Peter Crombie. He was a gifted artist. Not only was he a wonderful actor but an immensely talented writer. More importantly he was as sweet as he was intelligent and I am a better person for knowing him.
— Lewis Black (@TheLewisBlack) January 13, 2024
American comedian Lewis Black, known for The Daily Show and Pixar film Inside Out, said he was “heartbroken”.
He wrote: “Not only was he a wonderful actor but an immensely talented writer.
“More importantly he was as sweet as he was intelligent and I am a better person for knowing him.”
Crombie’s death on Wednesday was announced by his former wife, spiritual guru Nadine Kijner.
“Thank you for so many wonderful memories and being such a good man,” she wrote.