LIFE & CULTURE

Where Are They Now? The Cast of Seinfeld

The show about nothing that made us feel a whole lot of something

Jerry Seinfeld (Jerry Seinfeld) – Then

As the loveable Jerry Seinfeld he stole our hearts. 

Jerry Seinfeld (Jerry Seinfeld) – Now

With Seinfeld catapulting Jerry into mega-stardom, the comedian has continued to regularly do stand-up shows. As of 2017, Jerry Seinfeld is touring Australia for the first time in 20 years. 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Elaine Benes) – Then

As the hilarious Elaine Benes who graced us with the classic “Get Out!” catchphrase, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has done great things since Seinfeld. 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Elaine Benes) – Now

Since her Seinfeld days, Louis-Dreyfus has received nine Emmy Awards, with a total of 22 nominations as well as a Golden Globe Award, seven Screen Actors Guild Awards, five American Comedy Awards and two Critics’ Choice Television Awards. Julia was also named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2016. 

Jason Alexander (George Costanza) – Then

After playing a character as iconic as George Costanza for so long, it’s not surprising that Jason Alexander had trouble convincing audiences to believe him as any other character.  

Jason Alexander (George Costanza) – Now

Alexander has created a niche for himself as a voice actor, as well as having a recurring role on Fox’s The Grinder. 

Michael Richards (Cosmo Kramer) – Then

Oh, Cosmo Kramer. Who could forget the lanky, wiry-haired, fumbling, wacky, hare-brained next-door neighbour?

 

Michael Richards (Cosmo Kramer) – Now

Directly after Seinfeld, Richards starred in a few sitcom series including The Michael Richards Show and Kirstie. Most recently, Richards has been appearing as the hilariously grey-wigged Crackle president Dick Corcoran in a short on the web series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. 

Wayne Knight (Newman) – Then

As one of the most frequent guest stars on Seinfeld, Knight made a wave as Jerry’s arch-nemesis, Newman. 

Wayne Knight (Newman) – Now

Once the hit series ended, Knight went on to great success. As an in-demand voice actor, lending his talent to movies such as Toy Story and Xiaolin Showdown, Knight has also been featured in many movies and theatre productions.

Jerry Stiller (Frank Costanza) – Then

As the man who introduced us to Festivus, Frank Costanza is a character who will forever be one of the all time greats, thanks to Jerry Stiller. 

Jerry Stiller (Frank Costanza) – Now

The loveable comic continued his later career immediately after Seinfeld, playing another iconic sitcom dad, Arthur Spooner on The King of Queens. Stiller has also made a number of guest appearances in TV and film, including Zoolander alongside real-life son, Ben Stiller. 

Estelle Harris (Estelle Costanza) – Then

As George Costanza’s flaming-haired mother, Estelle has left a mark on comedy everywhere with her loud, croaking trademark voice. 

Estelle Harris (Estelle Costanza) – Now

Harris has worked a lot as a guest star in TV and film, including a recurring role in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Greetings From Home. But, it’s Harris’ voice work that has gained her the most praise, with character voices like Mrs. Potato Head. 

Liz Sheridan (Helen Seinfeld) – Then

Liz Sheridan will forever be remembered as Jerry’s hilarious mother, who had us in stitches when her son was caught ‘making-out’ during Schindler’s List. 

Liz Sheridan (Helen Seinfeld) – Now

Since the conclusion of Seinfeld, Sheridan has been relatively quiet. In 2000 the actress released a memoir titled Dizzy & Jimmy: My Life With James Dean: A Love Story. In it, she claims she and the immortal heartthrob were each other’s first loves. 

Barney Martin (Morty Seinfeld) – Then

Jerry’s on-screen dad, Morty, was everybody’s favourite retired raincoat salesman and inventor of the belt-less trench coat. 

Barney Martin (Morty Seinfeld) – Now

Martin’s career went all the way back to the 50s, as a stand-in for Jackie Gleason on The Honeymooners. After Seinfeld, however, Martin battled lung cancer and passed away in 2005 at the age of 82. 

Len Lesser (Uncle Leo) – Then

Uncle Leo, played perfectly by Len Lesser, was the epitome of the grumpy, irritable uncle. 

Len Lesser (Uncle Leo) – Now

Following his role in Seinfeld, Lesser continued to get a lot of praise on shows like Everybody Loves Raymond, ER and Castle. Sadly, Lesser battled with pneumonia and cancer in 2011 and passed away at the age of 88. 

Larry David (Co-Creator, George Steinbrenner) – Then

As an integral member of the Seinfeld creation, Larry David had an incredible impact. As a co-creator alongside Jerry Seinfeld, David also appeared in the occasional cameo, as well as providing the voice of George’s boss and New York Yankees Owner, George Steinbrenner. 

Larry David (Co-Creator, George Steinbrenner) – Now

After the show ended, David went on to star in the HBO special Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm, which turned in to the long-running, critically acclaimed, most-improvised series Curb Your Enthusiasm in 2000. Lately, David has made waves as an over-the-top version of Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders on Saturday Night Live. 

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