Larry Hankin (born August 31 1940) is an American actor, performer, director and producer.
Hankin studied acting at Syracuse University. He is known for his roles in TV shows Friends (as "Mr. Heckles") and Seinfeld; as well as for his major role in the movie Escape from Alcatraz with Clint Eastwood. Also, he played a significant role in the movie Billy Madison along with Adam Sandler. He had cameo appearances in three John Hughes films, Home Alone, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and She's Having A Baby.
In Seinfeld, Hankin portrayed Tom Pepper, the actor cast as Kramer on the pilot-within-a-TV-show Jerry. In real life, he had actually auditioned for the role of Kramer when Seinfeld began production. Larry David initially felt that Hankin best matched his idea of what the character would be like in comparison to his real-life inspiration, Kenny Kramer, but Michael Richards ultimately landed the role.
Studied acting at Syracuse University, Syracuse New York. In same class with Frank Langella and Carl Gottlieb (I).
Was a member of the comedy improvisation groups Second City (Chicago) and The Committee (San Francisco).
Has played a homeless man in episodes of three different series: "ER" (1994), "Malcolm in the Middle" (2000) and "Joan of Arcadia" (2003).
