Michael Richards
Michael Anthony Richards (born July 24, 1949) is an American actor and former stand-up comedian. He achieved global recognition for starring as Cosmo Kramer on the NBC television sitcom Seinfeld from 1989 to 1998. He began his career as a stand-up comedian, first entering the national spotlight when he was featured on Billy Crystal's first cable TV special, and went on to become a series regular on ABC's Fridays.
Michael Richards | |
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Richards at the 45th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 19, 1993 | |
| Born | Michael Anthony Richards July 24, 1949 Culver City, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | California Institute of the Arts Evergreen State College (BA) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian |
| Years active | 1979–2007 (Stand up) 1980–present (Acting) |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 2 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | U.S. Army |
| Years of service | 1970–1972 |
From 1989 to 1998, he played Cosmo Kramer on Seinfeld, three times receiving the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. During the run of Seinfeld, he made a guest appearance in Mad About You, reprising his role as Kramer. Richards also made numerous guest appearances on a variety of television shows, such as Cheers. His film credits include So I Married an Axe Murderer, Airheads, Young Doctors in Love, Problem Child, Coneheads, UHF, and Trial and Error, one of his few starring roles. In 2000, he starred in his own sitcom, The Michael Richards Show, which was canceled after only two months.
After that stint, Richards returned to stand-up. In 2006, a video was obtained by TMZ of him going on a racist tirade against hecklers while performing at the Laugh Factory. Following significant backlash, Richards retired from stand-up in early 2007. In 2009, he appeared as himself in the seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm alongside his fellow Seinfeld cast members for the first time since that show's finale. In 2013, he portrayed Frank in the sitcom Kirstie, which was canceled after one season. He most recently played Daddy Hogwood in the 2019 romantic comedy Faith, Hope & Love.