Prolific comedian and actor Hiram Kasten, known for turns on “Seinfeld” and other sitcoms, has died. He was 71.
A fixture on the standup scene in the 1970s and 1980s, Kasten could tell six months ago that “his time was up and start wrapping up his set” after “seven years of fighting through a multitude of illnesses including prostate cancer and his lifelong battle with Crohn’s disease,” an obituary in his hometown newspaper, The Batavian, said.
His friends rallied to his side, remembering him as “a truly charming guy” who could capture audiences with a single gesture.
In “Seinfeld” Kasten played the recurring role of Michael, a colleague of Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Elaine Benes. He also guest-starred in such classics as “Mad About You,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” the tribute noted. Among his favorites: portraying Joey Bishop in “The Rat Pack” in Vegas, according to his obituary.
The Bronx-born Kasten was longtime friends with Jerry Seinfeld, according to ET Online, having met him on the New York City comedy circuit.
Kasten’s survivors include wife Diana Kisiel Kastenbaum and daughter Millicent Jade Kastenbaum, as well as extended family.
“They were married on June 15, 1986, and he died in her arms on June 16, 2024, only hours after their 38th wedding anniversary,” the obit said of the couple.
Tributes started flowing as soon as the news became known.
“RIP Hiram Kasten,” the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” official account tweeted on X. “Larry David has used him consistently over the years,” noting his “Curb Your Enthusiasm” episode “The Baptism” in 2001.