"Seinfeld" actor shoots self in apparent suicide attempt

Topics: Celebrity

Daniel von Bargen portrayed "Kruger" on "Seinfeld."

(Credit: YouTube, "Seinfeld")

(CBS/AP) Actor Daniel von Bargen, who played George Costanza's boss "Mr. Kruger" on "Seinfeld," shot himself in the head in what appears to be a failed suicide attempt, police say.

Montgomery police Chief Don Simpson says the 61-year-old actor called 911 on Monday morning after shooting himself in the temple at his suburban Cincinnati apartment.

He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was reportedly in critical condition. TMZ posted audio from the 911 call.

Officials said Thursday that von Bargen told the 911 dispatcher he was supposed to go to a hospital that day to have some toes amputated because of diabetes complications and had already had one leg amputated. He said he was feeling depressed before he shot himself.

Von Bargen appeared in four episodes of "Seinfeld" and played Commandant Edwin Spangler on "Malcolm in the Middle." He also had one-off roles on "Party of Five," "The Practice" and "The West Wing."

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by Kat_Eyed April 21, 2012 6:17 PM EDT: My father had two surgeries to amputate toes and bones from his feet due to his diabetes. Both surgeries were very painful to recover from even though he had advanced neuropathy and was told he wouldn't feel much. He at first was told they were going to amputate the whole foot and possibly the whole leg. ONE doctor at Del Webb hospital advocated for not doing the full amputation. Thank God for that man, because it gave my Dad the last year of his life with two feet and relative mobility. Dad died unexpectedly of high blood pressure that ruptured veins in his brain causing a bleed out. I remember that a few months before he died, he was told that another bad ulceration on his foot that would probably lead to a serious amputation this time. My Dad was severely affected by this. It meant he wouldn't be able to work the job he'd had for 15 yrs. He wouldn't be able to do the walks he loved with his grandchildren. A piece of his independence would be taken. Most important to him though was losing the feeling of being "the male provider" as patriarch of the family. Sometimes I have wondered if Dad's death could have been preventable. He stopped taking his blood pressure pills, and started to "take advantage" of his ability to walk to an extent that constantly left his feet in pain, made the ulcers worse, and exhausted him. I very much empathize with Daniel von Bargen. I wish I could tell him how GREATLY my Dad is missed by all of our family. It's been 10 months and not a day goes by that I don't cry. So many times we have tried to comfort the children, but it is hard because they want answers we cannot give to them. A foot or a leg does not make you the person your family loves. You are too important to let this overcome your spirit and your heart. I can only imagine the pain you have to deal with both physically and emotionally in dealing with this disease and the surgeries. I wish I could have made my Dad understand that his physical body is not what made him "whole" ... it was his heart, faith, love, patience, spiritual leadership, musical talents, and willingness to always be there for his family. I wish you all the best in your treatment of diabetes and other health issues. My heart breaks for you, and I will keep you in my thoughts.; Reply to this comment


by masanf April 17, 2012 10:33 PM EDT: Seems his suicide attempt went about as well as his industrial smoothing business.; Reply to this comment


by peggerly April 4, 2012 7:23 PM EDT: Let's pray for this man those of us who believe in the power of prayer. And don't worry about the naysayers.; Reply to this comment


by corgisncupcakes April 2, 2012 8:27 PM EDT: Kruger was awesome; Reply to this comment

by dresia April 2, 2012 12:33 PM EDT

Depression is a disease, depression is overwhelming, depression is much stronger then we are in our human flesh, depression can kill you. So many people are trying to cope with situations in their life that is too overwhelming for them. They are not strong and need much needed support. Friends, family, co-workers who know someone is going through a rough time should be there for the person in trouble because depressed people are very fragile and it doesn't take much for them to go over the edge. I truly hope, Von Bargen will get the much needed and extensive support he needs to deal with his condition. My father was diabetic and we watched him lose a leg below the knee, then, 5 years later, a toe on the other foot, and then his arch fell in his only remaining foot and the Doctor discussed major surgery to correct the arch with Dad, and it was then, I think my father mentally gave up because he was tired of the expensive Doctor visits, and what he would face and be going through had he had the surgery done but unfortunately, (though he passed away from meningitis)he never had that surgery. So, I know what it's like to live with a diabetic and watching them go to waste. Mr. Von Bargen, needs to be around others who have gone through or is going through what he's going through that will encourage him to change his diet and walk him through this long a dark tunnel. It can be done. Von Bargen just needs people there for him and he needs to be in rehab immediately.

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by netjunkie1 April 3, 2012 1:44 PM EDT: I'll simply tell you what I was told....Get over it and move on.

by Bush-cheney-R-Terrorists March 26, 2012 9:27 PM EDT

Again? He did this before, about a month ago! I don't understanf. what is bothering him?

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by rwpepeit April 3, 2012 10:20 AM EDT: He had already lost one leg to diabetes and was scheduled to have toes amputated the day of the suicide attempt. Don't you think that just maybe the thought of losing part of his remaining leg might have upset him??
Diabetes can be a debilitating disease. It is in my family and I've had several friends with the disease. It is easy for me to understand how this man got so depressed that he would want to end it all. I wish him well.


by masanf April 17, 2012 10:35 PM EDT: Bush-cheney-R-Terrorists? I would create a tag that read "You-R-an-Imbecile", but why waste my time on a moron?


by LoloMeow February 29, 2012 6:09 PM EST: Please don't judge this man. It is like kicking someone when they are down.
Who knows, really, how we would react in his situation.
If he survives, I hope he gets the help he needs to make living look
desirable again.; Reply to this comment


by username751 February 27, 2012 6:06 AM EST: Hope you find your reason for carrying-on. I am not religious, thank dog. If reason is the greatest hope of life, then let reason decide when is enough. On the flipside, who the hell knows what will happen tomorrow? I guess I'm saying life is dice, and no prayers or mumbo-jumbo have proven it otherwise.; Reply to this comment

by midvale3 February 25, 2012 1:16 PM EST

by anonymouslady777

I'm glad believing in the invisible man in the sky of the currently accepted religious myth works for you but some people have minds a little more complex than a child and telling them God is bowling to explain thunder doesn't work. Why did God put this man in this position? you have no clue but will rationalize it in your child like outlook on life and that's okay for you as long as you don't push other to believe your delusion.

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by username751 February 27, 2012 6:14 AM EST: Not that there's anything wrong with that...


by MrsPeacefulUSA March 29, 2012 5:47 PM EDT: WOW I find it quite disturbing when someone disses others for believing in something positive.


by gronamox February 25, 2012 11:55 AM EST: I am sorry to hear of his death. Jason Alexander can have that affect on frail people.; Reply to this comment