Michael Richards

Actor, co-star of Seinfeld, he played the belovedly wacky, off-beat Kramer in the long-running series, beginning in 1989, a part which made him a star. He is so identified with the role that he finds it difficult to land other parts.

Richards is a master of physical slap-stick comedy who turns his face into expressive if weird positions and who emits sounds that capture the comedic moment.

A Viet Nam veteran, he drifted for a while taking minor parts until Seinfeld came along.

He was married from 1974-1992, now divorced, with one daughter.

The former “Seinfeld” star went over the top while working a comedy routine in a West Hollywood night club on November 17, 2006. Enraged by hecklers, he directed a heated and hateful retort at the impolite audience members, spewing out racial epithets and obscenities. On November 20th he apologized to African-Americans on the Late Show with David Letterman, saying “I am not a racist. That’s what’s so insane about this.” Richards claims that his barrage had been fueled by anger, not bigotry. He hired a publicist with ties to the African-American community and a few days later appeared with the Reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton to make another public apology.