Best known as Morty Seinfeld, the lumpy, loveable, penny-pinching father of Jerry Seinfeld on the pop culture touchstone 'Seinfeld' (NBC, 1990-1998), character actor Barney Martin brought a unique mixture of clever comedy and Everyman earnestness to his roles on stage, screen and television for over four decades.īorn March 3, 1923, in the New York City borough of Queens, Martin served as a navigator in the Air Force during World War II, flying some 40-plus missions.