Ian Abercrombie
Ian Abercrombie, who played Elaine's boss Mr. Pitt on 'Seinfeld' from 1994 to 1998, died Thursday at the age of 77. He was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, but reports are that the actor died from complications of kidney failure. Reuters

British stage actor Ian Abercrombie died on Thursday, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles from complications of kidney failure.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Abercrombie, who is best known as Elaine's boss Mr. Pitt on Seinfeld, was 77 and had recently been diagnosed with lymphoma.

Ian Abercrombie was born in England and started as a stage dancer. He made his American stage debut in 1955 in a production of Stalag 17 with Jason Robards. He was seen in many plays, TV shows and films appearing in Seinfeld. According to the Los Angeles Times, Abercrombie was a founding member and former board member of BAFTA-LA. He is survived by his brothers Douglas, Donald and Alex.

Here are four other stars who died in 2012:

Robert Hegyes is best known for his portrayal of Jewish Puerto Rican student Juan Epstein on the 1970s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotte. He died on Jan. 26 at age 60 from an apparent heart attack at his home in New Jersey.

James Farentino died of heart failure on Jan. 24 at the age of 73, according to The Associated Press. He had roles on Dynasty and Melrose Place to name a few. The actor was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is survived by two sons, David and Saverio.

Etta James, who is best known for her song At Last, died at the age of 73 on Jan. 20 in Southern California, longtime friend and manager, Lupe De Leon told the media. Her sons Sametto and Donto, and husband Artis Mills, were reportedly with the singer at the time. James doctor told her last December that her chronic leukemia was incurable and she spent weeks in the hospital that month.

Dick Tufeld, who voiced The Robot in the 1960s sci-fi series Lost in Space, died on Jan. 22 at the age of 85. Tufeld is known for the famous phrase Danger, Will Robinson. He died at his home in California while watching the NFL playoffs, a family statement noted to the media. The actor also reportedly had a recent battle with heart disease. He is survived by his two sons, two daughters, six grandchildren and brother.

California New Jersey Lymphoma Leukemia