Biography for
Michael Richards (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

24 July 1949, Culver City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Birth Name

Michael Anthony Richards

Height

6' 3" (1.91 m)

Mini Biography

Immortalized as Cosmo Kramer on the classic American sitcom "Seinfeld" (1990), L.A. comedy star Michael Richards, born in Culver City, California, developed an early interest in acting in high school. He attended the California Institute of the Arts and graduated at Evergreen State College in Washington with his BFA in drama. Around this time, he founded an improv company with Ed Begley Jr. although it didn't last long. Michael interrupted his fledgling career with a two-year stint in the Army and lived a rather wanderlust lifestyle until finally grounding himself again in theater. First performing with the San Diego Repertory Company, he subsequently returned to L.A. where he developed a stand-up comedy act.

Inspired by the physical comedy of such legends as Charles Chaplin and Jacques Tati, he paid his dues on the comedy circuit until comedian Billy Crystal noticed him and gave him a break on one of his comedy specials. Michael earned a regular spot on the sketch comedy series "Fridays" (1980), where he created the character of Battle Boy who liked to blow up army soldiers. He also appeared in such minor slapstick films as Young Doctors in Love (1982) and Transylvania 6-5000 (1985).

Everything finally came together for the elastic-faced comedian in 1989, after being cast as Cosmo Kramer, Jerry Seinfeld's convulsive, frizzy-mopped neighbor and pal on "Seinfeld" (1990). The frenzied character earned him three Emmy awards and instant cult status. What can be a blessing, however, can also be a curse. So strongly identified with the Kramer character, Michael has major concerns once the series ended in 1998.

Despite great comedy work in the films Unstrung Heroes (1995) and Trial and Error (1997), he didn't nab a strong career in film. Meanwhile, a subsequent sitcom vehicle "The Michael Richards Show" (2000), in which he served as creator, co-writer, and co-executive producer, went down the tubes quickly after his character was criticized as too one-note and "Kramer-esque" in style. Like other similar actors before him, such as Carroll O'Connor, the versatile Michael is smartly riding out the Kramer storm until he finds the right time to resurface. That time to resurface was in late 2006. However, it was for all the wrong reasons. He was caught on tape at a Los Angeles comedy club, delivering a racist tirade directed at two African-American hecklers. Although he has repeatedly apologized through the media, it is unknown what damage this may do to his career.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net

Spouse

Cathleen Lyons

(1974 - 1992) (divorced) 1 child

Trivia

Attended Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington, USA.

Attended the California Institute of the Arts.

Most renowned for his role as Cosmo Kramer on "Seinfeld" (1990).

His character in "Seinfeld" (1990) was named Kessler in the original pilot. The original name wasn't revealed until the episode "The Betrayal" where Jerry mistakes Kramer's name.

Cosmo Kramer, his character in "Seinfeld" (1990), always wore clothes one size too big to make him appear to be laid back and loose.

Is a 33-degree Scottish Rite Freemason.

Is a Vietnam-era Army Veteran. He was drafted and served for two years in West Germany.

Auditioned for the role of Al Bundy on "Married with Children" (1987).

His big dream when he started acting was to play a detective. This led him to later create "The Michael Richards Show" (2000), a sitcom about a private detective agency. The show flopped and was short-lived. Later, he was considered for the lead role in another comical detective show, "Monk" (2002), which ultimately went to Tony Shalhoub.

Was the actor Andy Kaufman threw water on during a skit on "Fridays" (1980). In the Kaufman biopic Man on the Moon (1999), Richards' character was played by Norm MacDonald.

Is the only cast member on "Seinfeld" (1990) who has never hosted "Saturday Night Live" (1975).

Banned from ever performing at the Laugh Factory comedy club in Los Angeles.

Has a daughter named Sophia from his marriage to Cathleen Lyons.

He once acted in a driver's education video about insurance rates, playing the role of an irate and reckless driver confused about his insurance.

Michael Richards wore the same shoes for The Seinfeld Arc of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2000) as he did on "Seinfeld" (1990).

Personal Quotes

My job is to stay out of his way. - in an interview with Oprah explaining how he prepared for the character of Kramer