Seinfield actor Reni Santoni has died at the age of 81, according to reports.
The actor died on Saturday in hospice care in Los Angeles after several years of suffering health problems, including cancer, his friend Tracy Newman, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Santoni had an esteemed acting career that saw him portray the rookie partner of Clint Eastwood’s maverick detective in 1971 film Dirty Harry, as well as roles in Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid and Cobra.
He also featured in television appearances in episodes of Miami Vice, Murder, She Wrote, Hill Street Blues and Moonlighting.
Many years later, however, he won a new legion fans for his legendary four-episode role in iconic ’90s comedy Seinfeld as Poppie, the unsanitary Italian restauranteur who had a problem with bladder control and regularly butted head with Jerry and Elaine (though he remained friendly with Kramer).
First appearing on the famous series in 1994’s The Pie, Poppie was first introduced to us as the father of Jerry’s date who ran a popular Italian restaurant, though a disgusted Jerry later sees him in the bathroom where he happens to notice that Poppie failed to wash his hands before preparing the comedian’s meal.
Quickly establishing himself as a fan favourite, Santoni returned as Poppie the following season for The Couch, in which Poppie was seen teaming up with Kramer to create “pizza business where you make your own pie” – and later pee’s on Jerry’s couch. He then returned for The Doorman, where he was hospitalised after arguing with Elaine over their opposing stances on abortion.
He also famously reprised his role one last time for the Seinfeld finale in 1998, in which he served as a witness against the fab four as they faced trial for breaking the Good Samaritan Law and mocking the victim of a mugging.
