THR is reporting tonight that actor Ian Abercrombie has died at age 77 in Hollywood.
Fans of Seinfeld remember him best as Elaine’s boss, Mr. Pitt. For me, my favorite role of his was his portrayal of Batman’s butler, Alfred Pennyworth, in The WB’s short-lived Birds of Prey.
In addition to Dina Meyer’s pitch-perfect Barbara Gordon, Abercrombie embodied Alfred perfectly; although it’s sad to say that the Alfred character was probably not used as much as he should have been. When he was on the show, however, it was fantastic. He could deliver a dry Alfred line like the best of them.
Abercrombie recently performed in another DC Comics-related role as the voice of Ganthet in the Green Lantern animated series, and younger viewers might remember him best as Professor Crumbs in The Wizards Of Waverly Place.
His work was enjoyed, and he will be missed.
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It’s a pity that the writers of B.O.P. didn’t get their story arc together soon enough to have saved this show. This guy was an excellent Alfred.