Sci-fi and Seinfeld favourite dies

Actor Richard Herd was almost 40 years old when he made his big screen debut – but made up for lost time with a wide variety of roles.

Born in Boston in 1932, he was struck down with the serious bone infection osteomyelitis and spent a large part of his childhood in hospital.

He said the time spent lying in bed “month after month” – as he was given the newlyintroduced penicillin – was a major contributing factor to his strong imagination.

He joined the US military during the Korean War but a flare-up of his illness led to an honourable discharge.

Back in his home country, Herd moved to New York City and starred in off-Broadway plays for many years.

As he grew in confidence and contacts, Herd won his first movie role in 1970, playing a TV presenter in Arnold Schwarzenegger picture Hercules In New York.

From there, he was cast as one of the Watergate burglars in political thriller All The President’s Men and won recurring roles in the likes of Starsky And Hutch and Dallas.

Herd also became a favourite of sci-fi fans, playing key characters in several franchises.

He lit up screens as Supreme Commander John in 1980s miniseries V and V: The Final Battle, and appeared in multiple episodes of the Star Trek sequels.

He is perhaps best known for his recurring role in Seinfeld.

His portrayal of Mr Wilhelm, the boss of main character George Costanza, was regarded by many as a comic highlight of the series.

During his career, Herd appeared on scores of other shows and films.

His credits include stints on Quantum Leap, ER, Dr Quinn Medicine Woman, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and CSI: Miami.

Audiences also saw him in the cinema, with roles in the likes of 2017 horror film Get Out and Clint Eastwood’s The Mule.

Herd died at home in LA from cancer complications.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Patricia, and his daughter Erica, son Rick and step-daughter Alicia.

Richard Herd was a prolific actor in later years