Veteran actor Richard Herd, best known for his roles in the TV series Seinfeld and Star Trek: Voyager, passed away overnight.
Herd had been battling cancer and passed away at his Los Angeles home, a representative for the late actor told The Wrap. He was 87.
During the 1990s, Herd appeared in eleven episodes of the iconic sitcom, Seinfeld. An imposing and comedic character actor, Herd portrayed George Costanza’s boss, Mr. Wilhelm, on the series.
Herd also had a recurring role as Admiral Owen Paris in Star Trek: Voyager. He reprised his role in the 2015 series, Star Trek: Renegades.
Aside from his roles in Seinfeld and Star Trek, Herd appeared in series such as Quantum Leap, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and T.J. Hooker.
Herd also enjoyed a prolific career in film. He appeared in classics such as Planes, Trains and Automobiles, All The President’s Men and The China Syndrome.
In recent years, he was seen on screen in the horror film Get Out and in Clint Eastwood’s The Mule. His final onscreen credit was a role in the sports biographical film, The Silent Natural.
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Tributes have poured in for Herd on social media. Jordan Peele, who directed Herd in Get Out, remembered him as a “wonderful man and a true professional”.
Peele recalled a story from behind the scenes of Get Out in his tribute to the late actor.
“We hadn’t talked much before he arrived on set for Get Out. I asked him to think of the scene as a viagra ad trying to hide deep rage. He responded ‘That sounds like all Viagra ads to me!’ Then he absolutely nailed it,” Peele wrote on Twitter.
RIP Richard Herd. A wonderful man and a true professional. We hadn’t talked much before he arrived on set for Get Out. I asked him to think of the scene as a viagra ad trying to hide deep rage. He responded “That sounds like all Viagra ads to me!” Then he absolutely nailed it. pic.twitter.com/t2dO01fent
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) May 26, 2020
Jean-Pierre Dorléac, who designed costumes for Quantum Leap, wrote that Herd “was a wonderful person & a lovely actor.”
“I will always remember him as Capt. Galaxy in ‘Future Boy’ on QL although we worked together several times. He loved that part. What a sad day!!,” he wrote on Twitter.
I'm sitting here & tears are streaming down my face. Dear Richard Herd has passed. He was a wonderful person & a lovely actor. I will always remember him as Capt. Galaxy in "Future Boy" on QL although we worked together several times. He loved that part. What a sad day!!💔 pic.twitter.com/P4miQkgHOp
— Jean-Pierre Dorléac (@spclsmthin) May 26, 2020
News of Herd’s death comes just weeks after the passing of Jerry Stiller, another revered Seinfeld actor. Stiller portrayed George Costanza’s father, Frank, on the beloved sitcom.