Seinfeld Cast (1989–1998)
NBC | Sitcom | 9 Seasons, 180 Episodes | Created by Jerry Seinfeld & Larry David
Seinfeld is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from 1989 to 1998, widely regarded as one of the greatest television comedies ever produced. Set in New York City, the show follows stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his circle of friends navigating the absurdities of everyday life. Often described as "a show about nothing," Seinfeld elevated observational humor and ensemble character work to an art form, finishing its run as one of the highest-rated programs in television history.
The Seinfeld cast is anchored by four lead performers whose chemistry defined a decade of American comedy. Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Michael Richards appeared together in nearly every episode, creating a dynamic that felt simultaneously absurd and utterly believable. The supporting ensemble — including Wayne Knight, Jerry Stiller, and Estelle Harris — added layers of comedic texture that made the show's New York City world feel richly populated. Julia Louis-Dreyfus won multiple Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Elaine, while the full cast collectively redefined what a sitcom ensemble could achieve. Understanding who plays each character and the actors behind them remains one of the most common questions about classic American television.
Main Cast
Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld
A stand-up comedian living in a Manhattan apartment who serves as the moral and narrative anchor of the group, frequently bewildered by the behavior of those around him.
Jason Alexander
George Costanza
Jerry's neurotic, insecure best friend from high school whose schemes and self-delusions drive some of the show's most memorable plot lines.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Elaine Benes
Jerry's ex-girlfriend turned close friend, an intelligent and sharp-tongued book editor whose romantic misadventures and strong opinions generate constant conflict and comedy.
Michael Richards
Cosmo Kramer
Jerry's eccentric neighbor whose wild entrances, improbable business ventures, and fearless physical comedy made him a television icon.
Wayne Knight
Newman
Jerry's self-declared nemesis and a U.S. postal worker in the same building, whose schemes frequently intersect with the main characters' lives.
Jerry Stiller
Frank Costanza
George's loud, volatile, and frequently irrational father whose outbursts and strong opinions became a recurring source of explosive comedy from season four onward.
Estelle Harris
Estelle Costanza
George's hypercritical and smothering mother, whose relationship with Frank is as combative as her relationship with her son.
Barney Martin
Morty Seinfeld
Jerry's retired father, a former president of the Del Boca Vista retirement community in Florida, proud of his son and quick to offer unsolicited advice.
Liz Sheridan
Helen Seinfeld
Jerry's warm and perpetually boastful mother, who unconditionally supports her son while gently competing with other parents in Del Boca Vista.
Patrick Warburton
David Puddy
Elaine's on-again, off-again boyfriend — an auto mechanic of very few words but tremendous physical presence and dead-pan delivery.
Heidi Swedberg
Susan Ross
George's NBC executive girlfriend and, later, his fiancée, whose fate in the season seven finale generated one of the show's most controversial moments.
Supporting & Recurring Cast
| Actor | Character | Role | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| John O'Hurley | J. Peterman | Elaine's flamboyant catalogue-writing employer at J. Peterman Company | 6–9 |
| Richard Fancy | Mr. Lippman | Elaine's boss at Pendant Publishing before J. Peterman | 2–6 |
| Ian Abercrombie | Justin Pitt | Elaine's demanding, blue-blood employer in season six | 6 |
| Steve Hytner | Kenny Bania | Jerry's annoying fellow comedian who constantly seeks his approval | 5–9 |
| Bryan Cranston | Tim Whatley | Jerry and George's dentist, recurring antagonist to Jerry's comedic paranoia | 6–9 |
| Bob Balaban | Russell Dalrymple | NBC president who green-lights Jerry and George's pilot in seasons four and five | 4–5 |
| Sandy Baron | Jack Klompus | Morty Seinfeld's contentious neighbor and rival in Del Boca Vista | 4–8 |
| Phil Morris | Jackie Chiles | Flamboyant attorney who represents Kramer in various legal matters | 7–9 |
| Len Lesser | Uncle Leo | Jerry's boisterous uncle who greets everyone with exaggerated enthusiasm | 1–9 |
| Dedee Pfeiffer | Pam | A recurring acquaintance in George's social circle | 4 |
| Jerry Stiller | Frank Costanza | George's explosive father; also portrayed briefly by John Randolph in season four | 4–9 |
| Lori Loughlin | Teri | A woman George briefly pursues in early seasons | 1 |
Creators & Production
Jerry Seinfeld
Co-Creator & Star — Developed the series alongside Larry David and starred in all 180 episodes as a version of himself.
Larry David
Co-Creator & Head Writer — The primary creative force behind the show's voice and structure for its first seven seasons; departed before the final two.
Andrew Scheinman
Executive Producer — Oversaw production alongside Castle Rock Entertainment throughout the series' run.
George Shapiro
Executive Producer — Jerry Seinfeld's longtime manager who helped shepherd the series from pilot to network order.
Howard West
Executive Producer — Partnered with George Shapiro in producing the series for Castle Rock Entertainment and NBC.
Castle Rock Entertainment
Production Company — Rob Reiner's production banner that produced Seinfeld in partnership with NBC Studios across all nine seasons.
About the Seinfeld Cast
The four principal actors of Seinfeld were chosen with unusual care. Jerry Seinfeld had no significant acting experience before the pilot, making his decision to cast a stand-up comedian in a semi-autobiographical role a calculated risk that paid off enormously. Jason Alexander drew on his theater background to construct George Costanza — partly based on Larry David — as a fully realized comic creation rather than a caricature. Julia Louis-Dreyfus had appeared on Saturday Night Live but found her defining role in Elaine Benes, a character originally conceived with a much smaller part that grew in prominence as the writers recognized how much Louis-Dreyfus could bring to the ensemble. Michael Richards, whose physical comedy skills were honed in years of stand-up and sketch work, built Kramer almost entirely through improvisation, with many of his most famous entrances and reactions unscripted.
The recurring and guest cast of Seinfeld also became a launching pad for major careers. Bryan Cranston appeared as dentist Tim Whatley long before his work in Breaking Bad. Patrick Warburton's stone-faced portrayal of David Puddy demonstrated a deadpan style he would carry into a long career in comedy. Jerry Stiller, already a veteran comedian, found a new generation of fans through Frank Costanza, a role that reignited his career in his sixties. The show's casting directors, Marc Hirschfeld and Francine Maisler, were instrumental in filling the New York world of the series with memorable faces that returned season after season, giving Seinfeld a sense of a living, breathing city populated by characters the audience had grown to know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in Seinfeld?
Seinfeld stars Jerry Seinfeld as a fictionalized version of himself, Jason Alexander as George Costanza, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine Benes, and Michael Richards as Cosmo Kramer. These four actors form the core ensemble across all nine seasons.
Who plays Kramer in Seinfeld?
Michael Richards plays Cosmo Kramer, Jerry's eccentric neighbor who lives across the hall. Richards's physical comedy and improvisational skill made Kramer one of the most iconic characters in American television history.
How many seasons of Seinfeld are there?
Seinfeld ran for nine seasons on NBC, from July 5, 1989 to May 14, 1998, producing 180 episodes in total.
Who created Seinfeld?
Seinfeld was created by comedian Jerry Seinfeld and writer Larry David. David served as the primary showrunner and head writer for the first seven seasons before departing, with Jerry Seinfeld taking a larger creative role in the final two seasons.
Who plays Newman in Seinfeld?
Wayne Knight plays Newman, Jerry's nemesis and mail carrier. Although Knight did not appear until the second season, Newman became one of the show's most beloved recurring characters.
Who plays George Costanza's parents in Seinfeld?
Jerry Stiller plays Frank Costanza and Estelle Harris plays Estelle Costanza, George's overbearing and frequently bickering parents. Both actors joined the show in season four and became fan favorites.
How we build these cast lists
For background on how Cast.biz compiles and orders cast credits, see understanding billing order, how TV show casts are built, and our glossary of cast credits.