'Seinfeld' Cast Then and Now: Jerry Seinfeld teases reunion 25 years after iconic sitcom's finale episode
'Seinfeld' cast’s journey after hit sitcom went off air after 9 seasons
'Seinfeld', the beloved American sitcom, was the brainchild of Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. The show, which aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, captivated audiences for nine seasons and a total of 180 episodes, creating a lasting impact among viewers. The sitcom was nominated for 68 Emmys, and won 10 of them. It featured an ensemble cast with Seinfeld playing a fictionalized version of himself. The story revolves around his personal life and interactions with three key characters: his best friend George Costanza, portrayed by Jason Alexander, his ex-girlfriend, Elaine Benes, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and his quirky neighbor, Cosmo Kramer, brought to life by Michael Richards. Interestingly, the show didn’t start off with this quartet. Originally, it was a trio, and the evolution to a group of four marked a significant shift in the show’s dynamic. Hints of a 'Seinfeld' reunion, 25 years after the show’s finale, have recently surfaced, sparking a wave of anticipation among its ardent fans. Let’s delve into the lives and careers of the cast members of this iconic show.
Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld made a triumphant return to his roots in stand-up comedy in New York after the conclusion of 'Seinfeld' in 1998. The comedian, 69, released an HBO special in 1999, followed by a Netflix special titled 'Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill' in 2020. Over the years, he made appearances in numerous series and created 'The Marriage Ref' in 2010. In 2012, he created the popular web series 'Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee'. Jerry married Jessica Seinfeld in 1999. The couple has three children: Sascha, Julian, and Shepherd. During his standup performance at Boston’s Wang Theatre on Saturday, October 7, 2023, the comedian hinted at the possibility of a reimagined finale in response to a question from an audience member. "Well, I have a little secret for you about the ending. But I can’t really tell it because it is a secret," he stated. "Here’s what I’ll tell you, OK, but you can’t tell anybody. Something is going to happen that has to do with that ending. Hasn’t happened yet," Seinfeld added. "And just what you are thinking about, Larry and I have also been thinking about it. So you'll see, we'll see," per Guardian.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine Benes
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus has had a prolific career since her time on 'Seinfeld'. She has been involved in numerous television series, including 'Watching Ellie', 'Arrested Development', 'The Simpsons', 'Web Therapy', and 'The New Adventures of Old Christine' in 2006. In 2021, she made her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, appearing in 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier', 'Black Widow' in 2021, and 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' in 2022. She is set to reprise her role in 'Thunderbolts' in 2024, which is expected to be the concluding film of Phase 5 of the MCU, per EW. In 2017, Julia bravely shared her breast cancer diagnosis with the world. Despite this challenging period, she continued to work while undergoing treatment. By October 2018, she announced that she was in remission and cancer-free. The 62-year-old has been happily married to Brad Hall since 1987. The couple shares two sons, Henry and Charlie.
Jason Alexander as George Costanza
Jason Alexander is renowned for his role as George in 'Seinfeld'. However, his acting prowess extends beyond this iconic character. He reportedly reunited with his former iconic sitcom co-stars on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' in 2001 and 2009. He also took on recurring roles in popular shows like 'Young Sheldon' and 'The Marvelous Mrs Maisel'. In addition to his on-screen performances, the 64-year-old has ventured into voice acting, contributing his talents to animated series such as 'TripTank', 'Kody Kapow', 'Harley Quinn', and more. He has been married to Daena E. Title since 1982, and they are proud parents of two sons, Gabe and Noah.
Michael Richards as Cosmo Kramer
After 'Seinfeld', Michael Richards returned to his roots in stand-up comedy and launched 'The Michael Richards Show', which unfortunately only aired for one season. In 2006, he faced controversy for allegedly using racist slurs during a stand-up routine in Hollywood. This incident led him to issue a public apology and subsequently retreat from the public eye. The 74-year-old made a brief return to television in 2013 with Kirstie Alley’s sitcom 'Kirstie', but the show was canceled after just one season. Richards was married to Cathleen Lyons from 1974 to 1992, and they have a daughter named Sophia. Following their divorce in 1993, he married Beth Skipp in 2010, per Us.
Wayne Knight as Newman
Wayne Knight, who is recognized for his roles in 'Jurassic Park', '3rd Rock from the Sun', and 'Space Jam', first graced 'Seinfeld' as Newman in the second season, initially appearing as a guest. However, his character was so well-received that he became a recurring figure from the third season until the series finale. Knight, 68, has lent his voice to numerous projects over the years, including 'Bee Movie', 'Kung Fu Panda', and 'Toy Story 2'. His recent credits include 'The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee', 'Back to the Outback', and 'Darby and the Dead'. He was married to Paula Sutor for seven years before they parted ways in 2003. He later married Clare Knight in 2006, and they are proud parents of a son named Liam.
Barney Martin as Morty Seinfeld
Martin, known for his role as Morty Seinfeld, Jerry's dad on the sitcom. He had a limited career following the show, taking on only three roles before his death. He took on a role in the TV movie 'I Married a Monster' in 1998, lent his voice to the character Ambassador Major on the series 'Buzz Lightyear of Star Command', and made his final appearance as Maury in the 2004 series 'Center of the Universe'. Tragically, Martin succumbed to cancer in 2005 at the age of 82.
Ruthie Cohen as cashier in Monk's Café
Ruthie Cohen, the affable cashier at Monk’s Cafe in 'Seinfeld', graced a remarkable 101 episodes of the show. With her distinctive curly hair, occasional blue uniform, and amiable demeanor, Ruthie stands out as one of the few characters in 'Seinfeld' who never causes harm to others. One of her most memorable episodes is perhaps the one where George mistakenly accuses her of stealing a $20 bill that he had in his own wallet. Cohen's primary success came from being the successful sitcom's most frequent background star. She built a career out of extra work on programs like 'The Golden Girls' and 'Murder, She Wrote'. She reportedly died of a heart attack in 2008 at the age of 78, per Looper.
John O’Hurley as J. Peterman
John George O’Hurley Jr., widely recognized as John O’Hurley, is most renowned for his role as J. Peterman on the NBC sitcom. The actor now 69, portrayed this character from 1995 until the conclusion of the show in 1998. John O’Hurley has had a diverse career following 'Seinfeld'. He gained recognition as a semi-finalist on the inaugural season of 'Dancing With the Stars'. He also served as the host of 'Family Feud' from 2006 to 2010. He has also ventured into the business world as a private venture capitalist. Interestingly, he is a part-owner of the real J. Peterman Company, per Forbes.