'Community' actor Richard Erdman dead at 93

Richard Erdman, the veteran film and TV actor who played Leonard on NBC's Community, has died.

Erdman had nearly 200 film credits to his name (like Stalag 17, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Perry Mason, to name just a few) since beginning his career in the 1940s, but became a genre staple early with his performance in one of the more memorable episodes of The Twilight Zone.

On “Community,” Erdman was one of a group of elderly students, known as the “Hipsters” for their hip replacements, who was often told to “Shut up, Leonard!”

Erdman’s Community costars also paid tribute to the beloved actor:

Such a good & funny man. We’ll miss you “Leonard”—-Richard Erdman Dead: 'Community,' 'Stalag 17' Actor Was 93 | Hollywood Reporter https://t.co/qLsgAhz5sh

— Joel McHale (@joelmchale) March 17, 2019

Rest In Peace, Richard. Thank you for blessing us with your brilliance. @CommunityTV #Leonard https://t.co/KP5ZRaC5Wy

— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) March 17, 2019

I knew the day we’d have to say goodbye to this lovely man would come sooner than any of us were ready. But knowing that doesn’t make it any easier. 😢 #RichardErdman was JOY walking. Anyone who saw him on @CommunityTV gleeflully stealing every scene he was in knows that’s true💔 https://t.co/oMUKfunOSk

— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) March 17, 2019