‘Seinfeld’ actor Peter Crombie, who played ‘Crazy Joe Davola,’ dead at 71

Actor Peter Crombie, who portrayed the fan-favorite character “Crazy” Joe Davola on “Seinfeld,” has died Wednesday after a battle with an illness.

He was 71.

Crombie’s ex-wife Nadine Kijner released a touching tribute to Crombie on social media, breaking the news of his death.

“It is with shock and extreme sadness that I share my Ex-husband died this morning,” Kijner wrote on Instagram, sharing a montage of photos from their wedding day.

“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.”

Kijer told TMZ that Crombie had been battling a brief illness before his death, but did not elaborate on what he was suffering from.

“He was the kindest most caring, giving, considerate man. He was loved by everybody, generous, and never had anything bad to say about anyone,” Kijer told the outlet of her late ex-husband.

Crombie took on his recurring role as Crazy Joe Davola in the fourth season of the hit TV series in 1992.

Crombie, who played the bizarre and unhinged character terrorizing and threatening Jerry Seinfeld, stared in five episodes during the season.

His most notable appearance on the show was in the ninth episode of season four, called “The Opera,” where his character is dating and romantically obsessed with Elaine — played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus — only to become psychotic with jealousy after learning Jerry had briefly dated.

Donning his most notable attire from the show, a clown costume, Crombie’s character stalks Jerry and Elaine while they wait to see a production of “Pagliacci” — an opera about a clown who murdered his wife and her lover.

The character was named for TV producer Joe Davola, who worked with Tollin/Robbins Productions.

His first credited acting role was in the TV movie “Broken Vows,” starring Tommy Lee Jones and Annette O’Toole in 1987.

Crombie made appearances on a handful of shows including “Law & Order,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “L.A. Law,” “L.A. Firefighters,” “Picket Fences,” “NYPD Blue” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.”

Aside from his television credits, Crombie had roles in a handful of movies during the late ’80s and yearly ’90s, including “Born on the Fourth of July,” “Natural Born Killers,” “Se7en” and “The Doors.”

After news broke of the actor’s death, friends and those in the entertainment industry shared kind and loving words to commemorate the actor.

“Am heartbroken by the death of my good friend Peter Crombie,” Comedian Lewis Black posted on X. “He was a gifted artist. 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.”

“It is with a sad heart that today, I convey that my good friend Peter Crombie has passed away,” His friend, Bill Stetz, wrote on Facebook. “For those who knew him, he was a gentle and loyal friend of soft words and expressive work as an actor and a writer. Rest in peace, Peter.”

“Exit Peter Crombie. Wonderful actor & writer & human,” his friend Pat Skipper wrote on Facebook. “Loved by his many friends. Happy trails, my brother.”