Guide Note: Stand-up comedian
Jerry Seinfeld starred in the
NBC series
Seinfeld, one of the most popular sitcoms of all time. His most recent project is the computer animated comedy
Bee Movie, for which he wrote the script and recorded a voice.
Fast Facts:
- Born April 29, 1954 in Brooklyn, New York
- Spouse: Jessica Seinfeld
- Degree from Queens College
- Only cast member to appear in every episode of Seinfeld
- 1998 Earnings: $267 million
- Avid Porsche collector
- Frequently references his love for Superman and cereal
Stand-Up Comedy
Seinfeld was a pioneer in what has come to be known as "observational comedy," based around trivial, but universal, observations about everyday life. He worked his way up the New York comedy circuit, starting out at open mic nights and eventually earning a slot on a Rodney Dangerfield HBO special. The 1993 book, Seinlanguage, collects much of this material.
While working New York comedy clubs, Seinfeld met fellow comedian Larry David, and the two co-created a show based on Seinfeld's real life, initially titled The Seinfeld Chronicles.
Seinfeld
Seinfeld starred in his eponymous show, playing an alternate version of himself - a New York stand-up comedian surrounded by neurotic eccentrics. (Seinfeld's only prior acting experience was a small recurring role on the sitcom Benson.)
The show ran for 9 seasons, from July 5, 1989 to May 14, 1998, and syndicated episodes continue to play in heavy rotation around the world. In 2002, TV Guide named Seinfeld as the Greatest Television Series of All Time. It won 10 Emmys and 3 Golden Globes.
Career After Seinfeld
Seinfeld returned to stand-up after the series ended its run, recording the 1997 comedy special I'm Telling You for the Last Time, "retiring" all his old material. He later produced and starred in the 2002 documentary, Comedian, chronicling his creative process during this time.
Though he would occasionally appear on television or do cameos on other series (such as Larry David's HBO show Curb Your Enthusiasm), Seinfeld didn't create any projects of his own until the 2007 film Bee Movie.
Personal Life
While working on Seinfeld, while the comic was in his late thirties, he embarked on a much-discussed romantic relationship with high school student Shoshanna Lonstein. The two broke up in 1997 and Seinfeld soon thereafter met Jessica Sklar, who had recently married theatrical producer Eric Nederlander and had returned from her honeymoon just weeks before. Sklar and Nederlander divorced and she and Seinfeld were married on December 25, 1999.
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