Lee Weaver, the veteran character actor whose five-decade career brought authenticity and warmth to roles in television and film, died Monday, September 22, 2025, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 95.
Weaver’s family announced his passing, stating he “wove joy, depth and representation into every role he played and everything he did.” The cause of death was natural causes, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Best known for his role as Brian Kincaid, brother to Bill Cosby’s gym teacher Chet Kincaid, on “The Bill Cosby Show” from 1969 to 1971, Weaver built a reputation as a reliable presence who elevated every project he joined. His work spanned from early television westerns to modern streaming series, showcasing remarkable versatility and longevity in a competitive industry.
Among his most memorable performances was a brief but impactful scene in the Coen brothers’ 2000 film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Weaver portrayed a blind man who gave three escaped convicts, played by George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson, a ride on a railroad handcar while offering mysterious advice about their future. The scene demonstrated his ability to make lasting impressions with limited screen time.
Weaver also became recognizable for his recurring role as the exhibitionist Buck Naked on Steven Bochco’s police dramas “Hill Street Blues” from 1982 to 1984 and “NYPD Blue” in 1994. The unusual character allowed him to showcase his comedic timing while maintaining the dignity and personality that defined his work.
On the 1986-87 NBC comedy “Easy Street,” created by Hugh Wilson of “WKRP in Cincinnati” fame, Weaver and Jack Elam played down-on-their-luck roommates who moved into a mansion inherited by a former Las Vegas showgirl portrayed by Loni Anderson. Though the series was canceled after one season, Weaver’s performance reflected his gift for warm, naturalistic comedy.
Born Lee Wellington Weaver on April 10, 1930, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he was raised by his Aunt Mattie and Uncle Lee until age 14. He then moved to Tallahassee for high school before attending Florida A&M. At 22, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served four years before relocating to New York City.
In New York, Weaver worked as a linotype engineer for The New York Times while moonlighting as a promoter at the legendary Birdland jazz club. There he booked performances by some of the era’s greatest musicians, including Cannonball and Nat Adderley, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Sarah Vaughan, John Coltrane, Herb Ellis, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, and the Heath Brothers.
His close friendship with saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, a childhood friend who served as best man at his wedding, inspired a Yusef Lateef-written song titled “The Weaver” that appeared on Adderley’s 1964 album “Nippon Soul.”
Weaver’s acting career began with roles as various natives on the 1955-56 syndicated series “Sheena: Queen of the Jungle” and as a reporter in “Al Capone” in 1959. He appeared on episodes of the Cosby-starring NBC series “I Spy” in 1967 and 1968, establishing a professional relationship that would continue throughout his career.
During his appearances on “The Tonight Show” when Cosby guest-hosted, Weaver participated in a recurring comedy bit where he would be announced as a guest but never make it on air because Cosby would run out of time. Cameras would then show Weaver visibly frustrated in his dressing room, showcasing the comedic chemistry between the two performers.
Throughout the 1970s, Weaver maintained steady work on television series including “Adam-12,” “Kojak,” “Sanford and Son,” “Good Times,” “The Jeffersons,” “Soap,” and “Starsky & Hutch.” His film work during this period included “Cleopatra Jones” in 1973 and “House Calls” in 1978.
His film credits also featured notable appearances in “Vanishing Point” in 1971, “Heaven Can Wait” in 1978, “The Onion Field” in 1979, “Bulworth” in 1998, “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” in 1998, “Donnie Darko” in 2001 and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” in 2005. He provided the voice of Alpine on the 1985-86 animated series “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” and in two related films.
Later television appearances included guest roles on “227,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” He also appeared on “The Cosby Show” and “A Different World,” both created by Cosby, continuing their decades-long professional association.
His most recent work came in two episodes of the Netflix series “Grace and Frankie,” where he played Mel Cordray, demonstrating his ability to remain active in the industry well into his 90s.
Weaver is survived by his wife of 54 years, actress Ta-Tanisha, known for her work on “Room 222,” his daughter Leis La-Te, and granddaughter Asha, according to family announcements.
