Landesberg dead at 65

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Steve Landesberg, a former stand-up comedian who starred for years on the hit television sitcom Barney Miller, has died at age 65, his agent said on Monday. It is with great sadness to report the loss of my friend and client Steve Landesberg, Jeffrey Leavitt of Leavitt Talent Group said in a statement. No further details were given. Celebrity website TMZ.com said the actor died Monday morning after battling cancer. Born November 23, 1945 in New York City, Landesberg began his career as a stand-up comedian and was a contemporary of top 1970s draws such as Freddie Prinze and Jimmy Walker. He landed the role of Det. Arthur Dietrich on Barney Miller in 1975, and stayed with the show about New York cops until it ended in 1982. Landesberg went on to work in a variety of TV and movie roles, including the series Cosby and The Ghost Whisperer, and the hit 2008 movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Working with Steve was an honor both personally and professionally. My heart goes out to his family. He will be missed, Leavitt said.

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