LOS ANGELES -- Bruno Kirby, the veteran actor who played Billy Crystal's best friend in the hit comedies "When Harry Met Sally" and "City Slickers," has died.

Kirby had recently been diagnosed with leukemia. He was 57.

In a statement, his wife, Lynn Sellers, said he died from complications related to the disease Monday in Los Angeles.

"We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from Bruno's fans and colleagues who have admired and respected his work over the past 30 years," she said.

"Bruno's spirit will continue to live on not only in his rich body of film and television work but also through the lives of individuals he has touched throughout his life," she added.

Born Bruno Giovanni Quidaciolu in 1949 in New York City, the performer was the son of actor Bruce Kirby.

Kriby called working on "When Harry Met Sally" a "natural high."

But if that was a high, "City Slickers" was a low, even though he got to rant about Crystal trying to teach Daniel Stern how to program his VCR.

Kirby told AP Radio in 1993 he was "never comfortable" making "City Slickers" since he felt he didn't belong.

As a result, Kirby and Crystal ended up feuding and they didn't speak for years.

The fresh-faced actor appeared in many films, including "Good Morning, Vietnam," "The Freshman" and "Donnie Brasco."

Kirby's other film roles included "The Godfather: Part II," where he played the young Clemenza opposite the young Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro); and the rock mockumentary "This is Spinal Tap," where the actor appeared in a small, but memorable role as the band's limo driver.

The actor also turned up frequently in television, and appeared in such shows as "M*A*S*H," "Hill Street Blues," "Mad About You," "The Larry Sanders Show" and "Frasier."

More recently, Kirby played the role of Phil Rubenstein on the HBO series "Entourage."