Seinfeld and Star Trek actor Richard Herd dies at age 87 after a battle with cancer

Seinfeld and Star Trek actor Richard Herd who also starred in the classic movie The China Syndrome dies at age 87 after a battle with cancer

Richard Herd has died at the age of 87 after a long battle with cancer.

The character actor passed away this week at his home in Los Angeles as family was around him, a rep told The Wrap on Tuesday.

The Massachusetts native had a long and fruitful career that included a role in the 1979 classic The China Syndrome with Jane Fonda but he may have been best known for his role on Seinfeld as George Costanza’s boss.

Sad loss for Hollywood: Richard Herd has died at the age of 87 after a long battle with cancer. Seen in 2015

The star worked on 11 episodes of the series that starred Jerry Seinfeld. His character as George’s boss, Mr. Wilhelm, when he worked at the Yankees is memorable.

Constanza was played by Jason Alexander, one of the leads of the series which aired from 1989 until 1998.  

Herd had said in the past it was ‘easy’ getting the part. 

A memorable appearance: The star may have been best known for his role on Seinfeld as George Costanza's boss at the Yankees; seen with Jason Alexander, right

A memorable appearance: The star may have been best known for his role on Seinfeld as George Costanza’s boss at the Yankees; seen with Jason Alexander, right

He had staying power: The star worked on 11 episodes of the series that starred Jerry Seinfeld. His character as George's boss, Mr. Wilhelm

He had staying power: The star worked on 11 episodes of the series that starred Jerry Seinfeld. His character as George’s boss, Mr. Wilhelm

‘It was fun. It was very inviting,’ he shared with The Hollywood Reporter.

‘And as I left, I turned around and said, “Look, I have to tell you this. I hope it doesn’t make a difference, but I’m a Red Sox fan.”

‘And they all threw their scripts at me. The next day they said, “Come on out and play with us.”‘

Other TV shows he appeared on were TJ Hooker and Star Trek, both which shared William Shatner at some point.

Another hit series: Herd with Adrian Zmed, William Shatner and Heather Locklear on TJ Hooker

Another hit series: Herd with Adrian Zmed, William Shatner and Heather Locklear on TJ Hooker

Herd’s Star Trek shows were Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Renegades. 

And he was seen on Quantum Leap, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, NYPD Blue, M*A*S*H, The Rockford Files, The Feather and Father Gang, Golden Girls, Starsky & Hutch, The A-Team, Midnight Caller, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The O.C.

And he hit the popular nighttime soaps like Dallas, Dynasty and Falcon’s Crest.

And in 1983 and 1984 he was in the TV series V playing as John, the Visitors’ Supreme Commander.

His spouse: The performer is survived by Patricia Crowder Herd (pictured in 2004), his wife of 40 years, as well as his son, daughter, and stepdaughter

His spouse: The performer is survived by Patricia Crowder Herd (pictured in 2004), his wife of 40 years, as well as his son, daughter, and stepdaughter

In 2007 he played J. Howard Marshall in The Anna Nicole Smith Story.

His film career was also vast and varied. His first big movie was The China Syndrome but he also worked on All The President’s Men and, much more recently, Get Out, as well as Clint Eastwood’s 2018 film The Mule.

His very first role was in 1970 in the movie Hercules in New York.

The performer is survived by Patricia Crowder Herd, his wife of 40 years, as well as his son, daughter, and stepdaughter.