Seinfeld is one of the most popular shows of the '90s and pioneered many sitcom conventions that are still relevant to this day. From Friends to How I Met Your Mother, every comedy show that came up since has a little bit of Seinfeld. The show's structure is simple: although the main storyline follows a continuous course, every episode feels like a singular joke, always ending in a punch line that draws the episode's plot to a close. Just like the writers and even the characters state multiple times, Seinfeld is a show about nothing, yet it went on for nine years, which is largely due to the captivating performances of the Seinfeld cast.
Following a traditional sitcom outline, Seinfeld's episodes usually follow the same characters in mostly the same places: Jerry Seinfeld's apartment, the streets of New York City, the gang's favorite restaurant, and so on. The chemistry between Jerry Seinfeld and his best friends is dynamic and hilarious, but they also count on a range of recurring characters that the show’s insolent humor: while they're all easy to like, they are far from good people, which makes their relationships all the more unique. Here's everything viewers need to know about the Seinfeld cast.
Jerry Seinfeld As Jerry Seinfeld
Playing a fictional version of himself, Jerry Seinfeld portrays the title character as an egocentric and indifferent person, which makes him a terrible friend but the person who binds the gang together. Unsurprisingly, Jerry Seinfeld is the soul of the show and is constantly reminding viewers of its metalinguistic nature. For example, most episodes start with one of Jerry Seinfeld's stand-up routines, but is it the real Jerry or Seinfeld's Jerry? The answer is a little of both, since both the real and fictional Jerry complete each other, as evident in the season 4 TV show storyline, which is about the making of a show like Seinfeld.
Apart from being the most famous member of the Seinfeld cast, Jerry remains one of the greatest active stand-up comedians in the world. He voiced Barry in the Bee Movie, and also appeared in Mystery Science Theater 3000 as Freak Masterstroke. Like in Seinfeld, Jerry appears as different versions of himself in Louie, 30 Rock, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Jason Alexander As George Costanza
Played by Jason Alexander, George Costanza is one of the most outrageously hilarious characters in TV history. His divisive personality often makes viewers unsure whether they should feel sorry for or enraged by him, which normally results in a mix of the two. Despite being highly neurotic and deeply insecure about his looks, George is sure he's better than everyone else, drawing him into a vicious cycle of love delusions and meaningless squabbles. He's terribly manipulative and an avid liar, but at least he can be a good friend sometimes.
Seinfeld's George displays a number of red flags throughout the show, yet his quirky personality never fails to amuse audiences. Even today, Jason Alexander may be the most beloved Seinfeld cast member for his memorable portrayal of George. To younger viewers, Jason Alexander may be more familiar for his roles in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Young Sheldon, and for voicing Sy Borgman in Harley Quinn and Doctor Noum in Star Trek: Prodigy.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus As Elaine Benes
With Elaine, Seinfeld breaks several taboos about women in comedy, although the show owes that to Julia Louis-Dreyfus's natural talent for making people laugh. Since she is the only woman on the OG team, Elaine often finds herself in the middle of awkward masculine discussions, but she never appears to feel uncomfortable. Her friendship with Jerry and the others is genuine and her self-imposing personality often makes her the brain of the group. Seinfeld wouldn't continue to be so compelling if it wasn't for Elaine's feminine perspective, even though part of what makes Elaine so funny is her condescending attitude: she always thinks she knows more than she actually does.
After the show ended, Julia Louis-Dreyfus went on to become the most prominent television and movie actor from the Seinfeld cast. Louis-Dreyfus is best known for playing the Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine - or Val - in Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, a role that will continue in Thunderbolts. Jullia Louis-Dreyfus is also the star of Veep, and appears in You People and You Hurt My Feelings.
Michael Richards As Cosmo Kramer
Michael Richards's presence in Seinfeld's first episodes was so unique that Kramer went from being a side character to one of the show's protagonists. He avoids work at all costs and can be quite tactless, never thinking twice before speaking, which often hurts the other characters' feelings without him even realizing it. Performing physical comedy at its best, Richards can make the audience laugh out loud by simply entering a scene; in fact, one of Kramer's most popular running gags was his unpredictable entrances into next-door neighbor Jerry's apartment. Kramer's clumsiness feels somehow natural, though it's almost as if he can't control his own body.
After being the wild card of the Seinfeld cast, Michael Richards went on to star in his own TV series, The Michael Richards Show, and continued to do live stand-up comedy. Like Jerry Seinfeld, Richards also plays a fictionalized version of himself in Curb Your Enthusiasm. Richards also appears in Faith, Hope, and Love, Kirstie, and the short film Walk The Light.
Estelle Harris As Estelle Costanza
Mrs. Costanza probably never learned how to communicate with others without screaming, and her love-hate marriage to Frank Costanza only aggravates things. The Seinfeld cast member and her character notably share the same name, but their personalities are polar opposites of each other: while Mrs. Costanza is overbearing and highly dramatic, Estelle Harris always looks gentle and sweet in interviews. Estelle Costanza's most hilarious moments revolve around her constant flirtations with Kramer and her relationship with her son, George, who never seems to make his mother satisfied.
Apart from Seinfeld, Estelle Harris is best known for being the voice of Mrs. Potatohead in the entire Toy Story saga and franchise, and Peg-Leg Peg in Captain Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Harris' onscreen appearances include the series Greetings From Home, and the movies Promoted and CBGB. Like many of her fellow Seinfeld cast , Estelle Harris also plays herself in Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Jerry Stiller As Frank Constanza
George's father, Frank Costanza, was recast in Seinfeld after the original Mr. Costanza only appeared in one episode. Jerry Stiller's performance is unanimously praised by critics and fans, earning him an Emmy nomination for Guest Actor. Frank Costanza lives in his own little world and always seems to be on the brink of a nervous breakdown. He invented his own Christmas holiday, Festivus, in response to the season's unbearable consumerism. Although Frank has a good heart and many hilarious ideas, it's evident that his hysterical personality ed on to George, for better or for worse.
The father of Hollywood star Ben Stiller, Jerry Stiller was a comedy icon even before ing the Seinfeld cast. Alongside his wife Anne Meara, "Stiller & Meara" appeared in 36 episodes of the Ed Sullivan Show, and appeared in classic television shows like The Love Boat and Joe and Sons. Today, Stiller may be most recognizable from his appearances in Zoolander, Zoolander 2, The Heartbreak Kid, and Hairspray.
Liz Sheridan As Helen Seinfeld
Whenever his parents are onscreen, Seinfeld's Jerry is swept up in the world of menopause and retirement, reinventing the show's familiar humor. Mrs. Seinfeld is introduced in season 1, and she's generally accompanied by her husband, Morty. Helen thinks her son is perfect, constantly questioning Jerry about "how can anyone not like you?" Yet, she never recognizes Jerry's comedian occupation as something profitable and useful, constantly asking him if he needs financial help and never letting him pay for anything. Mrs. Seinfeld's praise for Jerry is constantly disputed by his horrible actions, which include stealing rye from one of Helen's neighbors. Helen might be the most patient Seinfeld cast member.
Before Liz Sheridan ed in 2022, she appeared in the movies Play The Game and Trim. Sheridan was also in the shows Numb3rs and Complete Savages. However, older audience may Sheridan as Raquel Ochmonek from the classic series Alf.
Barney Martini As Morty Seinfeld
Morty Seinfeld makes it clear where Jerry got his stubbornness, which causes him plenty of conflicts in his neighborhood, ruled by a bunch of other retirees. Morty's pride is his biggest weakness: his impeachment from The Pines of Mar Gables' presidency hits him almost as if part of his soul died, and one of the funniest Seinfeld episodes features Morty losing his head over Jerry accepting a pen from his father's biggest enemy, Jack Klompus. Although Jerry's dad was played by Phil Bruns in season 1, Barney Martini proved himself to be just as talented after the recasting in season 2. Since then, Martini became a regular part of the Seinfeld cast.
Barney Martini died in 2005. Prior to his death, Martini voiced Ambassador Major in Buzz Lightyear of Star Command. Martini also briefly appeared in the series Noah Knows Best. Before Seinfeld, Martini had major roles in Daddy Dearest, Sydney, and the original 21 Jump Street show from the '80s.
John O'Hurley as J. Peterman
John O'Hurley plays J. Peterman, one of the late side characters in the Seinfeld cast. He makes his first appearance in season 6, episode 23, "The Understudy," where he stumbles upon a desolated Elaine and gives her a job at his company, the J. Peterman Catalog. Peterman steals the shows to himself whenever he's on screen, with a distinctive radio-broadcast way of speaking and an eccentric personality. He's talented and has traveled all over the world, but as much as he tries to be serious, his peculiar traits naturally turn him into a joke and drive Elaine mad.
After Seinfeld, John O'Hurley had prominent appearances in Malibu Dan The Family Man and All My Children. However, among the entire Seinfeld cast, it is O'Hurley who became the most successful voice actor. Indeed, O'Hurley has provided the voices to various characters from animated series such as The Patrick Star Show, The Lion Guard, SpongeBob Squarepants, Legend of the Three Caballeros, Archer, Gothball, and dozens of others.
Wayne Knight as Newman
Seinfeld is a show about nothing, but if one had to point out a villain, Newman would definitely be the guy. He and Jerry are declared arch-nemeses but since Newman is one of Kramer's closest friends, they are always crossing paths with each other. Jerry and Newman's encounters usually feature one of the show's best running gags: Jerry's "Hello, Newman," a line he always delivers in the most disdainful way possible.
Newman is played by Wayne Knight and lives in the same building as Seinfeld and Kramer. Being that Newman is a mailman, he's constantly taking advantage of the postal service for his own benefit or to get in the way of Jerry's plans. He's a low-key kind of villain, the type that doesn't really do any harm to the characters but makes everyone's lives twice as hard.
It never becomes clear why Jerry and Newman hate each other so much - inarguably the most bitter rivalry in the Seinfeld cast. Following Seinfeld, Wayne Knight appeared in Darby and the Dead, 12 Mighty Orphans, The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee, and The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair. Another successful voice actor from the original cast of Seinfeld, Knight has also voiced characters in Amphibia, Legend of the Three Caballeros, Harley Quinn, and Robot Chicken.
