‘Seinfeld’ actor Daniel von Bargen dies at 64

Daniel von Bargen — the character actor best known for his roles as Mr. Kruger, George Costanza’s boss, on “Seinfeld,” and Commandant Edwin Spangler on “Malcolm in the Middle” — has died, his friend, actor Bob Colonna, wrote in a blog post on Monday. He was 64. WLWT in Cincinnati also reported the news.
Mr. von Bargen played a range of characters — from funny (“Super Troopers”) to serious (a role on “West Wing” as an Air Force general) during his career that spanned more than 40 years. He appeared in everything from the film “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” to TV movies to “Mastergate” on Broadway.
“He did a lovely job on the show and seemed like just a sweetheart of a man,” actor Jason Alexander told People magazine on Wednesday.
Mr. von Bargen, a native of Cincinnati, had suffered from health problems during the last five years, according to The Washington Post. In 2012, he was reportedly injured when he shot himself in the temple in an apparent suicide attempt, upset because he was suffering from diabetes and said he had to have a few toes amputated.