Michael Richards
Michael Richards | |
---|---|
Born | Michael Anthony Richards July 24, 1949 |
Occupation | Actor/Comedian |
Years active | 1979–present |
Spouse | Beth Skip |
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.
When Seinfeld ended, Richards returned to stand-up comedy. He incited media furor for losing his temper and repeatedly shouting "nigger" at an African American heckler in late 2006,[1] 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.
In 2013, Richards played the role of Frank in the sitcom Kirstie, costarring Kirstie Alley and Rhea Perlman.[2]
Early life
Richards was born in Culver City, California, the son of Phyllis (née Nardozzi), a medical records librarian, and William Richards, an electrical engineer.[3] His father died in a car crash when Michael was two and his mother never remarried.[4]
He attended the California Institute of the Arts, and received a BA degree in drama from The Evergreen State College in 1975.[5] He also had a short-lived improv act with Ed Begley, Jr. during this period. Enrolled at Los Angeles Valley College, he continued to appear in student productions.
Career
Richards got his big TV break in 1979, appearing in Billy Crystal's first cable TV special. In 1980, he began as one of the cast members on ABC's Fridays television show, where Larry David was a writer. This included a famous instance in which guest Andy Kaufman refused to deliver his scripted lines, leading Richards to bring the cue cards on screen to Kaufman, causing him to throw his drink into Richards's face before a small riot ensued (Richards later claimed he was in on the joke).[6] The film Man on the Moon featured a re-enactment of the Andy Kaufman incident in which Richards was portrayed by actor Norm Macdonald (although he is never referred to by name so he could be seen as a composite character taking the place of Richards).[7][8]
In 1989, Richards had a supporting role in "Weird Al" Yankovic's comedy film UHF as janitor Stanley Spadowski. On television, Richards also appeared in Miami Vice (as an unscrupulous bookie), Cheers (as a character trying to collect on an old bet with Sam Malone), and made several guest appearances with Jay Leno as an accident-prone fitness expert.
According to an interview with executive producer David Hoberman, ABC first conceived the series Monk as a procedural police comedy with an Inspector Clouseau-like character suffering from obsessive–compulsive disorder. Hoberman said that ABC wanted Richards to play Adrian Monk, but he turned it down.[9]
Seinfeld
In 1989, he was cast as Cosmo Kramer in the NBC television series Seinfeld, which was created by fellow Fridays cast member Larry David and comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Although it got off to a slow start, by the mid-1990s, the show had become one of the most popular sitcoms in television history. The series ended its nine-year run in 1998 at #1 in the Nielsen ratings. In the setting of Seinfeld, Kramer is usually referred to by his last name only and is the neighbor of the show's eponymous character. Kramer's first name, Cosmo, was revealed in the sixth-season episode "The Switch".
Richards won more Emmys than any other cast member on Seinfeld. He took home the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1993, 1994 and 1997.
Starting in 2004, he and his fellow Seinfeld cast members provided interviews and audio commentaries for the Seinfeld DVDs, but Richards stopped providing audio commentary after Season 5 though he continued to provide interviews.
The Michael Richards Show
In 2000, after the end of Seinfeld, Richards began work on a new series for NBC, his first major project since Seinfeld's finale. The Michael Richards Show, for which the actor received co-writer and co-executive producer credits, was originally conceived as a comedy/mystery starring Richards as a bumbling private investigator. However, after the first pilot failed with test audiences, NBC ordered that the show be retooled into a more conventional, office-based sitcom before its premiere. After a few weeks of poor ratings and negative reviews, it was cancelled.
Laugh Factory incident
During a November 17, 2006 performance at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood, California, Richards shouted a racially charged response to black hecklers in the audience, shouting "He's a nigger!" several times and referring to lynching.[1][10][11][12][13] Kyle Doss, a member of the group Richards addressed, said that the group had arrived in the middle of the performance, going on to explain:
[H]ere's what happened. As we walked in, we sat down and started ordering drinks. And, as we ordered drinks, I guess we're being a little loud, because there was 20 of us ordering drinks. And he said, "Look at the stupid Mexicans and blacks being loud up there." That's the first thing he said. And then he kept on with his bit. And, then, after a while, I told him, "My friend doesn't think you're funny." And then when I told him that, that's when he flipped me off and said, "F-you N-word." And that's how it all started.
— Kyle Doss, Interview on The Situation Room[14]
Richards made a public apology on the Late Show with David Letterman, when Jerry Seinfeld was the guest, saying, "For me to be at a comedy club and to flip out and say this crap, I'm deeply, deeply sorry. I'm not a racist, that's what's so insane about this."[15] The audience initially laughed during uncomfortable pauses in Richards' explanation and apology, unable to decide if the interview was a bit; at one point Seinfeld chided the audience, "Stop laughing, it's not funny." Richards said that he had been trying to defuse heckling by being even more outrageous, but that it had backfired. Richards later called civil rights leaders Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson to apologize.[14][16] He also appeared as a guest on Jackson's syndicated radio show.[17]
The incident was later parodied on several TV shows, including MadTV, Family Guy, South Park, and Extras. In an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Richards appeared as himself and poked fun at the incident. In a 2012 episode of Seinfeld's web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, Richards admitted that the outburst still haunted him, and was a major reason for his withdrawal from performing stand-up.[18]
Cameo roles, guest appearances, and film roles
Richards played himself in Episode 2 of Season 1 "The Flirt Episode" (1992) of the HBO series, The Larry Sanders Show. Richards also played a cameo role in So I Married an Axe Murderer where he was an "insensitive man". Richards played radio station employee Doug Beech in Airheads. He also made guest appearances on Miami Vice, Night Court and Cheers. In 2007, Richards voiced character Bud Ditchwater in the animated film Bee Movie, which starred, and was produced by, Jerry Seinfeld. In 2009, Richards and the other main Seinfeld cast members appeared in the seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm.[19] In 2012, Richards appeared in comedy web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, hosted by Jerry Seinfeld.[20]
Richards played the role of Frank in the sitcom Kirstie, costarring Kirstie Alley and Rhea Perlman, premiering on TV Land on December 4, 2013.[2] The show was canceled after airing one season.[21]
Personal life
Richards was married for 18 years to Cathleen Lyons, a family therapist. They have one daughter, Sophia, and divorced in 1992.[4]
In July 2007, Richards announced his retirement from stand-up comedy.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1982 | Young Doctors in Love | Malamud Callahan | |
1984 | The House of God | Dr. Pinkus | |
1985 | Transylvania 6-5000 | Fejos | |
1986 | Whoops Apocalypse | Lacrobat | |
1989 | UHF | Stanley Spadowski | |
1990 | Problem Child | Martin Beck | |
1993 | Coneheads | Motel clerk | |
1993 | So I Married an Axe Murderer | Insensitive Man | |
1994 | Airheads | Doug Beech | |
1995 | Unstrung Heroes | Danny Lidz | Nominated—American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture |
1997 | Redux Riding Hood | The Wolf | |
1997 | Trial and Error | Richard 'Ricky' Rietti | |
2007 | Bee Movie | Bud Ditchwater | Voice |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1980-82 | Fridays | Various | 54 episodes |
1982 | Faerie Tale Theatre | King Geoffeey | Episode: "The Tale of the Frog Prince" |
1983 | Herndon | Dr. Herndon P. Stool | Television movie |
1984 | Faerie Tale Theatre | Vince | Episode: "Pinocchio" |
1984 | At Your Service | Rick the gardener | Television movie |
1984 | Night Court | Eugene Sleighbough | Episode: "Take My Wife, Please" |
1984 | The Ratings Game | Sal | Television movie |
1985 | Tall Tales & Legends | Sneaky Pete | Episode: "My Darlin' Clementine" |
1984-1985 | St. Elsewhere | Bill Wolf | 5 episodes |
1985 | Cheers | Eddie Gordon | Episode: "Bar Bet" |
1985 | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Petronus | Episode: "Car Wars" |
1985 | Slickers | Mike Blade | Television movie |
1985 | It's a Living | Hager | Episode: "Desperate Hours" |
1985 | Hill Street Blues | Special Agent Durpe | Episode: "An Oy for an Oy" |
1986 | Miami Vice | Pagone | Episode: "The Fix" |
1986 | Fresno | 2nd henchman | Television movie |
1987 | Jonathan Winters: On the Ledge | Various | Television movie |
1987-88 | Marblehead Manor | Rick | 10 episodes |
1989 | Camp MTV | Stanley Spadowski | Television movie |
1989-1998 | Seinfeld | Cosmo Kramer | 178 episodes Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (1993-94, 1997) Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (1995, 1997–98) Nominated—American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Male in a Television Series Nominated—American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Male in a Television Series (shared with Jason Alexander) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (1995–96) Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series (1996–98) |
1992 | Dinosaurs | Director | Episode: "Wesayso Knows Best" |
1992 | Mad About You | Kramer | Episode: "The Apartment" |
1996 | Ellen's Energy Adventure | Caveman | Television movie |
1996 | London Suite | Mark Ferris | Television movie |
2000 | David Copperfield | Mr. Wilkins Micawber | Television movie |
2000 | The Michael Richards Show | Vic Nardozza | 7 episodes |
2009 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Michael Richards | 3 episodes |
2012 | Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee | Michael Richards | 1 episode |
2013-2014 | Kirstie | Frank | 12 episodes |
References
- ^ a b TMZ Staff (2006). ""Kramer's" Racist Tirade -- Caught on Tape". In The Zone. TMZ.com. Retrieved 2006-11-20.
- ^ a b Goldberg, Lesely (February 15, 2013). "TV Land Orders Kirstie Alley-Michael Richards Comedy to Series". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ "Michael Richards Biography (1949?-)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
- ^ a b "Michael Richards Tv's Top Jive-talking Hipster-doofus Fell for His Audience, and Vice Versa. Farewell, Cosmo, and Giddyup!". People. 1998-05-14. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
- ^ "NewsLibrary.com - newspaper archive, clipping service - newspapers and other news sources". 1995-04-30.
- ^ Michael Richards 'Speaking Freely' transcript[dead link] via First Amendment Center, Recorded February 28, 2002, in Aspen, Colorado
- ^ Andy Kaufman on Fridays from FridaysFan. Funnyordie.com. February 11, 2008. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ "Michael Richards 'Speaking Freely' transcript", Recorded Feb. 28, 2002, in Aspen, Colorado
- ^ from "Mr Monk and His Origins," a special feature packaged with the Season One DVDs.
- ^ Mariel Concepción (2006). "Comedian Michael "Kramer" Richards Goes Into Racial Tirade, Banned From Laugh Factory". News wire. Vibe.com. Archived from the original on 2006-12-31. Retrieved 2006-11-21.
- ^ Post Store (2006-11-21). ""Seinfeld" Comic Richards Apologizes for Racial Rant". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
- ^ "Richards 'deeply, deeply sorry' for racial slurs". CBC arts. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2006-11-20. Retrieved 2006-11-20.
- ^ ""Seinfeld" Star Richards Under Fire For Racial Outburst". News wire. Reuters. 2006-11-20. Retrieved 2013-06-28.
- ^ a b "The Situation Room transcript". The Situation Room. CNN. 2006. Retrieved 2006-12-04.
- ^ "CNN Newsroom". CNN.com. 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-16.
- ^ "Sharpton: Comedian's apology not enough". CNN. November 23, 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-22.
- ^ "Jesse Jackson Talks To Michael Richards: Jackson Says Apology For Actor's Racist Rant Is Only A Beginning Before Healing". News wire. CBS. 2006-11-25. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
- ^ "Michael Richards It's Bubbly Time, Jerry - Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee by Jerry Seinfeld". Comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
- ^ "'Curb Your Enthusiasm' hosts a 'Seinfeld' reunion". Zap2It.com. 2009-03-06. Retrieved 2009-07-23.[dead link]
- ^ "Richards appears on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee". Retrieved 2012-10-07.
- ^ "TV Land cancels 'Kirstie'". Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
External links
- 1949 births
- 20th-century American male actors
- 21st-century American male actors
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- American male voice actors
- American people of British descent
- American people of Italian descent
- American stand-up comedians
- California Institute of the Arts alumni
- The Evergreen State College alumni
- Living people
- Male actors from Los Angeles County, California
- Obscenity controversies
- Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award winners
- United States Army soldiers