Character Len Lesser, who appeared in 15 episodes of the classic Seinfeld TV series, has died from pneumonia at age 88. Lesser gained popularity as Seinfeld's obnoxious Uncle Leo, a loudmouth, unscrupulous schemer. Lesser had a long career in films and TV. Among the features he appeared in: Kelly's Heroes, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Birdman of Alcatraz, Papillon and Some Came Running. For more click here

Mars with Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel in Mel Brooks' The Producers.

Comic actor Kenneth Mars has died from pancreatic cancer at age 75. Mars was a master of good timing in sitcoms and comedy feature films. He did extensive voice-over work in animated series beginning with The Jetsons in 1962 and extending to recent years with the Land Before Time children's films. He made an unforgettable feature film debut in Mel Brooks' classic 1968 movie The Producers, playing zany neo-Nazi Franz Liebkin, whose play Springtime for Hitler provides the perfect vehicle for two shady Broadway producers to ensure making a fortune off the the show's inevitable failure. Much to their chagrin, the plan goes awry when the audience mistakes the musical for a satire of Adolf Hitler instead of the love letter to him that Liebkin had envisioned. The show's instant success leads to ruin for the schemers. Brooks was impressed enough with Mars to cast him as the police inspector in his 1975 smash hit Young Frankenstein. In the ensuing years, Mars worked steadily on TV and in films, with roles in two Woody Allen movies: Radio Days and Shadows and Fog. For more click here

Tura Satana, the exotic actress who built an enduring following after starring in Russ Meyer's cult classic Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, has passed away. A formal press release from her representative is expected shortly. In the meantime, click here to read writer Shade Rupe's personal memories of her.

By Lee Pfeiffer

Maria Schneider, who rose to fame in 1972 with her performance in Bernardo Bertolucci's Last Tango in Paris, has died after a long illness at age 58. The French actress was plucked from obscurity to be the female lead in the acclaimed film starring Marlon Brando, who portrayed a middle-aged American ex-pat living in Paris who tries to cope with his wife's suicide through anonymous sexual encounters with a young woman. The film raised eyebrows because of its envelope-pushing sex scenes. The movie was banned in some countries but did net Oscar nominations for Brando and Bertolucci. Schneider was "discovered" by Warren Beatty who helped her get into the film business. The daughter of French actor Daniel Gelin, she had a troubled youth. Following the success of Tango, she fell into dependency on drugs, which wreaked havoc on her life and career. She only made one other notable film, The Passenger (1975) for Antonioni and co-starring Jack Nicholson. Schneider became tainted by a reputation for being erratic in her personal behavior. She said that in 1980, she was saved by an "angel" who got her to get off drugs. The person, who Schneider has never identified, was still her lover at the time of her death. Schneider worked steadily, largely in unmemorable films. She said that she regretted doing Last Tango in Paris because it was an emotionally devastating experience. Brando said much the same thing. For more click here