Michael Richards
Michael Anthony Richards (born July 24, 1949) is an American actor, 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'. 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. When Seinfeld ended, Richards returned to stand-up comedy. After inciting media furor for losing his temper at an African-American heckler in late 2006 and repeatedly shouting "nigger", he announced his retirement from stand-up in 2007. He 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, as well as parodying his incident at the Laugh Factory. In 2013, Richards played the role of Frank in the sitcom Kirstie, costarring Kirstie Alley and Rhea Perlman.