Michael Anthony Richards Bio/Wiki, Net Worth, Married 2018
Michael Anthony Richards (born July 24, 1949) is an American actor, comedian, writer and television producer, best known for his portrayal of Cosmo Kramer on the television sitcom Seinfeld, for which he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series three times.Richards 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. He went on to become a series regular on ABC's Fridays. Prior to Seinfeld, he made numerous guest appearances on a variety of television shows including Cheers, Night Court, Miami Vice and St. Elsewhere. 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. During the run of Seinfeld, he made a guest appearance in Mad About You. After Seinfeld, Richards starred in his own sitcom, The Michael Richards Show, which lasted less than one full season.After Seinfeld ended, Richards performed stand-up comedy. After inciting media furor for losing his temper and repeatedly shouting "nigger" at an African American heckler in late 2006, Richards announced his retirement from stand-up in 2007. Richards appeared as himself in the seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm in 2009, acting alongside his fellow cast members for the first time since Seinfeld's finale.In 2013, Richards played the role of Frank in the sitcom Kirstie, costarring Kirstie Alley and Rhea Perlman.
[observation, 2013, on the trouble he brought on himself seven years earlier] That'll never happen again. I know how to behave - to consciously behave. When something like that comes up,I don't let the heat of anger burn me up as I did. When you're under the helm of anger, watch out,'cause it'll take you down. It's like being possessed by a demon.
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[on why he returned to television] Well, I'm an artist. You do it because you love to do it. It's what you are. It's the color of your fur. It's the same after all these years.
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[on signing on to appear in 'Kirstie'] When I was doing 'Seinfeld' I was very intense. Physical comedy takes more time to set up - rehearsing how to come through the door, that slide I did. So I was always in development, and that made me feel like I wasn't able to sit back and enjoy the ride. So this time, I want to be more like a child out on the street, just playing and having fun, and not taking it all so seriously.
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My job is to stay out of his way. - in an interview with Oprah explaining how he prepared for the character of Kramer
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. Later, he was considered for the lead role in another comical detective show, Monk (2002), which ultimately went to Tony Shalhoub.
Is a Vietnam-era Army Veteran. He was drafted and served for two years in West Germany.
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Is a 33-degree Scottish Rite Freemason.
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Cosmo Kramer, his character in Seinfeld (1989), always wore clothes one size too big to make him appear to be laid back and loose.
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His character in Seinfeld (1989) was named Kessler in the original pilot. The original name wasn't revealed until late in the series in the episode "The Betrayal" where Jerry mistakes Kramer's name.
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Most renowned for his role as Cosmo Kramer on Seinfeld (1989).
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Attended the California Institute of the Arts.
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Attended Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington, USA.