Ian Ambercrombie, the classically trained British stage actor best known to American TV audiences as Elaine Benes' nutty boss Mr. Pitt on Seinfeld, died of a heart attack Thursday in Los Angeles. He was 77.

Abercrombie appeared on several other U.S. TV shows. He played the 800-year-old Professor Crumbs on Wizards of Waverly Place and a butler on Desperate Housewives, and made guest appearances on Twin Peaks, Dynasty and Days of Our Lives.

He appeared in a number of movies, including Stalag 17, The Lost World: Jurassic Park and The Prisoner of Zenda, with Peter Sellers.

He did voiceover work in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties and Rango, and had completed Green Lantern for the Cartoon Network just before he died.

As Mr. Pitt in Seinfeld, he was known for his obsession with socks and quirky habits like eating candy bars with a knife and fork.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys.

Los Angeles Los Angeles