Daniel Von Bargen has died at the age of 64.
Von Bargen, a talented actor known best for his role as George Costanza’s boss on the sitcom Seinfeld , passed away on Sunday, March 1, after suffering through a long battle with diabetes, according to Cincinnati’s news station WLWT .
“We are learning of this event at the same time as the rest of the industry and are deeply saddened to hear of Daniel’s loss,” Von Bargen’s voice-over agents at Access Talent told People in a statement.
Fellow actor Bob Colonna spoke to an entertainment blog about his friend, describing him as “remarkable” and a “h**l of a guy.”
“I feel a huge wave of sorrow and relief at the passing of this remarkable man, Dan Von Bargen,” Colonna said. “I treasure the years when I worked with him at Trinity Rep and in a couple of TV films. I admire his excellent body of work in the movies. And I mourn for the darkness and pain that were his final years. God bless him. He was a hell of a guy.”
Von Bargen had been struggling for years with diabetes. As the Inquisitr previously reported, Von Bargen shot himself in the temple in an apparent suicide attempt on February 22, 2012. He had been scheduled to go to the hospital to have several toes amputated, due to his worsening condition. Despite his attempt to end his life, Von Bargen survived the gun shot wound and was able to dial 911 for help.
“For the past five years, he had been grappling with health issues that precluded his active pursuit of work,” Von Barden’s former agents said.
“We remember him fondly for his easy-going professionalism and dry wit, both of which stood in stark contrast to the driven and near-maniacal roles he often performed with such energy and intensity,” they added. “He was a joy to work with and we have missed that association since his semi-retirement to Cincinnati.”
Von Bargen’s screen credits also include a recurring role on the comedy series Malcolm in the Middle as Commandant Spangler, and roles in London Betty , RoboCop 3 , Basic Instinct , Broken Arrow , Universal Soldier: The Return , Truman , The Majestic , Philadelphia , A Civil Action , Thinner , O Brother, Where Art Thou? , Snow Falling on Cedars , The Kid , and Super Troopers .
Von Bargen’s immediate cause of death is not currently known. A private memorial service and burial will be held for the actor.
[Photo via Facebook/Seinfeld]
