Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • New York Post

    ‘Seinfeld’ actor and New York comedian Hiram Kasten dead at 71

    By Nika Shakhnazarova,

    16 days ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4Y78eT_0ttd9wPw00

    Actor Hiram Kasten, best known for his work on “Seinfeld,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Saved by the Bell,” has died at age 71.

    The New York native’s wife, Diana Kisiel Kastenbaum, announced his death in a Facebook post Sunday, revealing that the actor had been battling prostate cancer.

    The actor died in his wife’s arms “only hours after their 38th wedding anniversary,” the post read.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2KCYiU_0ttd9wPw00
    Hiram Kasten, best known for his work on “Seinfeld,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Saved by the Bell,” has died at age 71. Getty Images

    In addition to cancer, Kasten had been battling Crohn’s disease for the past seven years. He died at his Batavia, New York, home.

    While Kasten’s “health had taken a downturn and he no longer performed or actively pursued his career” beginning in 2017, “he only began to share the terminality of it all with his friends in the last six months,” the post read.

    Barry Bonds ‘devastated’ by death of his godfather Willie Mays

    His “great comedy and artistic community rallied to his side,” as “some made trips to Batavia to visit him, late night Zoom meetings with friends on both coasts ensued and went into the wee hours of the morning.”

    “It prolonged his life for at least another two months to be able to laugh with his peers,” his wife added.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=02K2Bq_0ttd9wPw00
    Kasten (left) and Jerry Seinfeld had been friends for 45 years, his wife said. WireImage

    A funeral service will be held at Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapel in Forest Hills, New York, on a later date.

    Willie Mays’ greatness lives on forever through ‘The Catch’

    An official memorial service will take place in Los Angeles, California, later in the summer.

    Kasten is best known for his role as Michael on “Seinfeld” from 1993 to 1994. His character was Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character Elaine Benes’ co-worker.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2w6mbd_0ttd9wPw00
    Kasten is best known for his role as Michael on “Seinfeld” from 1993 to 1994. Netflix

    The actor earned his stripes in the comedy world by making a name for himself in the NYC circuit after becoming a regular performer at the Comic Strip — an iconic venue that once hosted Jerry Seinfeld.

    Seinfeld “passed Hiram on his first audition and he became a regular,” with the pair striking “up a friendship that has lasted for 45 years,” Diana wrote in the post.

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR MORNING REPORT NEWSLETTER

    Kasten also boasted friendships with Michael Richards, Paul Reiser, Larry Miller and Mark Schiff.

    He also performed stand-up at the Improv, the Comedy Cellar, Carolines on Broadway and Dangerfield’s.

    Aside from his work on “Seinfeld,” Kasten made appearances on “Saved by the Bell,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Cybill,” “Mad About You” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4fSqyU_0ttd9wPw00
    Kasten (right) played Mr. Phelps in “Saved by the Bell” in the 1990s. NBCUniversal via Getty Images

    In the early 2000s, Kasten went on to make appearances on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “My Wife and Kids” and “7th Heaven.”

    The Bronx-born actor is survived by wife Diana, daughter Millicent Jade and brother-in-law Kevin John Kisiel.

    For the latest in entertainment, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/entertainment/

    Expand All
    Comments / 0
    Add a Comment
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local New York City, NY newsLocal New York City, NY
    Most Popular newsMost Popular
    The US Sun25 days ago

    Comments / 0