( CNN ) -- Steve Landesberg , best known for his role as a cerebral detective on the TV sitcom `` Barney Miller , '' has died of cancer , his agent said . He was 65 . `` Steve was a true 'Gentleman , ' `` Landesberg 's agent Jeffrey Leavitt said late Monday , shortly after the actor 's death . `` Working with Steve was an honor both personally and professionally . ... He will be missed . '' Landesberg played with deadpan delivery Detective Arthur Dietrich on `` Barney Miller , '' an often infuriatingly intellectual member of a New York City police station in Greenwich Village , who toyed with those who crossed his path in the precinct . The series ran from 1975 to 1982 . In addition to his stint on the sitcom , Landesberg made guest appearances on a number of shows , including `` Saturday Night Live , '' `` The Golden Girls '' and `` Law & Order . '' He also appeared in the 2008 movie `` Forgetting Sarah Marshall . '' He is credited with the quote `` Honesty is the best policy , but insanity is a better defense , '' according to WorldofQuotes.com . CNN 's Matthew Carey contributed to this report .
Steve Landesberg played Detective Arthur Dietrich on `` Barney Miller '' series . Actor was a veteran of TV and movies . [ 1 ]