Richard Herd dead: Seinfield and Get Out actor dies, aged 87

Richard Herd, a character actor who appeared in several films and television series, died on Tuesday.

Herd died of cancer-related causes on Tuesday morning at his home in Los Angeles, in the company of his family, his representative confirmed.

The star is best-known for playing Mr Wilhelm, George Costanza’s (George Alexander) boss in Seinfeld.

Herd was first featured in Seinfeld in the 1995 episode, The Jimmy.

He reprised the role 11 times, before the series finale in 1998.

A native to Boston, Massachusetts, Herd was born in 1932 and began his acting career in the 1970s.

As well as Seinfeld, Herd also appeared in well-known films such as All the President’s Men, in which he played the ex-CIA agent who led the team that broke into the Watergate Hotel, and The China Syndrome.

In Jordan Peele's acclaimed film Get Out, Herd played Roman Armitage, appearing in a memorable scene which sees Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya) first getting hypnotised.

The actor also appeared in Star Trek projects, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Renegades.

Popping up in numerous TV shows, throughout his career Herd also starred in M*A*S*H, Dallas, ER, Golden Girls, and Quantum Leap.

Famous celebrities paid tribute to Herd on social media, with fellow Star Trek: Voyager actor Robert Beltran (who played Commander Chakotay) writing: "I want to say how much fun I had with Richard Herd.

"He was full of life and laughs and his sense of humor was infectious. We will all miss him."

Get Out creator Jordan Peele recalled a funny moment on set with Herd in his tribute, adding that Herd was a "wonderful man and a true professional."

Herd is survived by wife Patricia Crowder Herd, his daughter Erica, his son Rick, and his stepdaughter Alicia.