‘Seinfeld’ actor Peter Crombie dead at 71: ex-wife

close

Video

Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines of the week

Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here.

Peter Crombie, best known for his role as "Crazy" Joe Davola on "Seinfeld" has died. He was 71.

"Peter was, first of all, a gentle soul and a true gentleman, very smart and personally like a rock to those who knew him, reliable, dependable and consistent. He was a gifted Yale-trained actor, a prolific writer and a true artist," his ex-wife Nadine Kijner confirmed to Fox News Digital.

"Obviously loved for playing Crazy Joe Davola, on Seinfeld, he often was cast as bad guys, interesting, complicated characters like Bernard Goetz, but in real life, he was very sweet in an old-school way.   When not working as an actor on stage or in front of a camera,  he was genuinely humble,  preferring others to talk and take main stage.  He was always helpful, giving and funny.  He was one [of] the kindest, soft-spoken, loving and caring people I have ever met. A gentle giant."

JERRY SEINFELD HINTS AT 'SEINFELD' REUNION 25 YEARS AFTER SHOW ENDED

Kijner noted that Crombie passed from a "fast intestinal illness on Wednesday."

"His passing was sudden to me, as we hadn't communicated since October 2023, when he seemed fine, and I am feeling the shock and heartbreak that he is gone.  He was the type of person to not complain, or bother anyone, preferring to go through things in a solitary way.  He is truly loved by so many friends and colleagues and missed deeply and painfully right now by many of his life-long friends. A loyal man, a wonderful actor and writer."

Peter Crombie as ‘Crazy’ Joe Davola in ‘Seinfeld.’ (Getty Images)

Kijner additionally shared a sweet tribute on social media.

"It is with shock and extreme sadness that I share my Ex-husband died this morning," she penned on Instagram.

"Thank you for so many wonderful memories and being such a good man. Fly free into the Un-boundless source of light, Peter. May you be greeted with love by your parents, and Oliver. So so many people loved you because you were a kind, giving, caring and creative Soul."

Crombie’s former spouse accompanied her tribute with sweet photos of the couple during their wedding day. The two were all smiles as the actor held his ex-wife and he fed her cake. The last photo of Crombie and Kijner was the two of them sharing a kiss at the altar. 

APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POST

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Other heartfelt tributes poured in for Crombie, including his friend and comedian Lewis Black.

(l-r) Peter Crombie as 'Crazy' Joe Davola starred alongside Jerry Seinfeld in hit series from 1992 until 1993. (Getty Images)

"Am heartbroken by the death of my good friend Peter Crombie. He was a gifted artist," Black shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

"Not only was he a wonderful actor but an immensely talented writer. More importantly he was as sweet as he was intelligent and I am a better person for knowing him."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Crombie was famously known for his role in "Seinfeld," as his character consistently terrorized Jerry Seinfeld. He played "Crazy" Joe Davola in five episodes of the popular sitcom from 1992 until 1993.

His other television and film credits include "House of Frankenstein," "My Dog Skip," the 1987 movie "Broken Vows," "L.A. Firefighters," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "As the World Turns" and "Law & Order," according to IMDB.

Before his death, Crombie’s most recent role in 2000 was Detective Moody in the series "Walker, Texas Ranger."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP