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WeirdTop 50 ‘Seinfeld’ Side Characters (GALLERY)
By Paige Gawley
@paigegawley
Published
June 24, 2015, 10:31 a.m. ET
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Everett Collection
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50. Izzy Mandelbaum (Lloyd Bridges)
Legendary actor Bridges showed up twice to play Jerry's take-no-guff personal trainer, with his barrage of insults at Jerry's softness. It doesn't help Jerry's case when Izzy finds Jerry's kitchen adorn with homemade sausages (via Newman and Kramer).
Signature Episode: "The Blood" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Legendary actor Bridges showed up twice to play Jerry's take-no-guff personal trainer, with his barrage of insults at Jerry's softness. It doesn't help Jerry's case when Izzy finds Jerry's kitchen adorn with homemade sausages (via Newman and Kramer).
Signature Episode: "The Blood" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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49. Katie (Debra Jo Rupp)
Jerry's go-getter of an agent shows up in a couple episodes and is generally more well-intentioned than she is effective. Strange that she wasn't around to help Jerry pitch his sitcom to NBC, though.
Signature Episode: "The Diplomat's Club" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Jerry's go-getter of an agent shows up in a couple episodes and is generally more well-intentioned than she is effective. Strange that she wasn't around to help Jerry pitch his sitcom to NBC, though.
Signature Episode: "The Diplomat's Club" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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48. Marla (Jane Leeves)
Before she was on Frasier, Leeves played the part of Jerry's girlfriend for two episodes. Marla, a virgin, ended up scandalized when she learned about Jerry's friendly bet to remain master of his domain. But she ended up going home with JFK Jr., so that's not all bad.
Signature Episode: "The Contest" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Before she was on Frasier, Leeves played the part of Jerry's girlfriend for two episodes. Marla, a virgin, ended up scandalized when she learned about Jerry's friendly bet to remain master of his domain. But she ended up going home with JFK Jr., so that's not all bad.
Signature Episode: "The Contest" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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47. The Maestro (Mark Metcalf)
Metcalf is a great comedic actor (just watch Animal House), so it's no surprise he kills as Jerry and Kramer's conductor friend, who goes by "The Maestro." His best moments are his attempts to dissuade Jerry from vacationing in his beloved Tuscany.
Signature Episode: "The Maestro" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Metcalf is a great comedic actor (just watch Animal House), so it's no surprise he kills as Jerry and Kramer's conductor friend, who goes by "The Maestro." His best moments are his attempts to dissuade Jerry from vacationing in his beloved Tuscany.
Signature Episode: "The Maestro" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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46. Poppie (Reni Santoni)
For such a minor character, Poppie had a lot of memorable moments, though few that anyone would be proud of. There was the time he forgot to wash his hands after using the restroom, thus subjecting Jerry to the terrible vision of him kneading dough with pee-hands. There was the time he harangued Elaine about abortion rights. And then there was the time he peed on Jerry's couch. Twice.
Signature Episode: "The Couch" [ Watch it on Hulu]
For such a minor character, Poppie had a lot of memorable moments, though few that anyone would be proud of. There was the time he forgot to wash his hands after using the restroom, thus subjecting Jerry to the terrible vision of him kneading dough with pee-hands. There was the time he harangued Elaine about abortion rights. And then there was the time he peed on Jerry's couch. Twice.
Signature Episode: "The Couch" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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45. Rebecca DeMornay (Sonya Eddy)
The bizarre thing about Ms. DeMornay is that her familiar name is never really commented on. That's probably because Elaine (and later George) are too busy getting hollered at by her, first for donating useless muffin stumps to the homeless, then for George trying to donate a book he took into the bathroom.
Signature Episode: "The Muffin Tops" [ Watch it on Hulu]
The bizarre thing about Ms. DeMornay is that her familiar name is never really commented on. That's probably because Elaine (and later George) are too busy getting hollered at by her, first for donating useless muffin stumps to the homeless, then for George trying to donate a book he took into the bathroom.
Signature Episode: "The Muffin Tops" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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44. Sam (Molly Shannon)
Molly Shannon was already a Saturday Night Live cast member when she was cast as Elaine's non-arm-swinging co-worker for the eighth season finale. She definitely made her mark, taking out her revenge on Elaine for mocking her with the biggest arm swings you ever saw.
Signature Episode: "The Summer of George" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Molly Shannon was already a Saturday Night Live cast member when she was cast as Elaine's non-arm-swinging co-worker for the eighth season finale. She definitely made her mark, taking out her revenge on Elaine for mocking her with the biggest arm swings you ever saw.
Signature Episode: "The Summer of George" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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43. Keith Hernandez (Himself)
Hernandez was more ballast for the jokes swirling around him in one of the series' best episodes (the episode included a JFK parody and George's "Vandelay Industries" gambit), but he gets credit for being the first of the series' creative real-life cameos.
Signature Episode: "The Boyfriend"[ Watch it on Hulu]
Hernandez was more ballast for the jokes swirling around him in one of the series' best episodes (the episode included a JFK parody and George's "Vandelay Industries" gambit), but he gets credit for being the first of the series' creative real-life cameos.
Signature Episode: "The Boyfriend"[ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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42. Dolores/Mulva (Susan Walters)
Generally, these rankings tended towards recognizing active achievements by the guest stars versus characters who were simply the objects of great bits. But we're making an exception for Mulva, both because it's an exquisite joke and because Walters is so perfectly oblivious.
Signature Episode: "The Junior Mint" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Generally, these rankings tended towards recognizing active achievements by the guest stars versus characters who were simply the objects of great bits. But we're making an exception for Mulva, both because it's an exquisite joke and because Walters is so perfectly oblivious.
Signature Episode: "The Junior Mint" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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41. Mrs. Choate (Frances Bay)
One of the more unforgettable Seinfeld moments was when Jerry wrested the titular marble rye away from poor Mrs. Choate, who only wanted to enjoy her baked good in peace but was instead confronted with the harsh realities of New York City.
Signature Episode: "The Marble Rye" [ Watch it on Hulu]
One of the more unforgettable Seinfeld moments was when Jerry wrested the titular marble rye away from poor Mrs. Choate, who only wanted to enjoy her baked good in peace but was instead confronted with the harsh realities of New York City.
Signature Episode: "The Marble Rye" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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40. Sid Fields (Bill Erwin)
Obviously asking Jerry, George, and Elaine to befriend the elderly for a week was bound to end in disaster, but no one's experience ended up worse than Jerry's, since he had to deal with Sid, a fantastically angry, yet also delightfully mischievous, old coot.
Signature Episode: "The Old Man" [Watch it on Hulu]
Obviously asking Jerry, George, and Elaine to befriend the elderly for a week was bound to end in disaster, but no one's experience ended up worse than Jerry's, since he had to deal with Sid, a fantastically angry, yet also delightfully mischievous, old coot.
Signature Episode: "The Old Man" [Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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39. Bruce (James Hong)
James Hong has been a venerable character actor for many years, but he'll probably go down in history for playing the maître d' at the Chinese restaurant in one of the early reputation-making episodes of Seinfeld.
Signature Episode: "The Chinese Restaurant" [ Watch it on Hulu]
James Hong has been a venerable character actor for many years, but he'll probably go down in history for playing the maître d' at the Chinese restaurant in one of the early reputation-making episodes of Seinfeld.
Signature Episode: "The Chinese Restaurant" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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38. Tim Whatley (Bryan Cranston)
A pre-Malcolm in the Middle Cranston made five appearances as dentist Tim Whatley. He was even instrumental in the popularization of the term "re-gifting. But his best moment was when he converted to Judaism, seemingly for the jokes.
Signature Episode: "The Yada Yada" [ Watch it on Hulu]
A pre-Malcolm in the Middle Cranston made five appearances as dentist Tim Whatley. He was even instrumental in the popularization of the term "re-gifting. But his best moment was when he converted to Judaism, seemingly for the jokes.
Signature Episode: "The Yada Yada" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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37. Mickey (Danny Woodburn)
Kramer's little-person pal Mickey was an actor and a hot-head, and both of those came into play pretty often in their friendship. There was nothing quite as fun as watching Jerry and Elaine try to break up a Kramer/Mickey brawl.
Signature Episode: "The Stand-In" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Kramer's little-person pal Mickey was an actor and a hot-head, and both of those came into play pretty often in their friendship. There was nothing quite as fun as watching Jerry and Elaine try to break up a Kramer/Mickey brawl.
Signature Episode: "The Stand-In" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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36. Sally Weaver (Kathy Griffin)
Sally was pretty good in the episode where she kept failing to bring Jerry an interesting tchotchke to show on The Tonight Show. But she really came into her own with her one-woman show "Jerry Seinfeld Is the Devil." A nice nod to Kathy Griffin's burgeoning career telling show-business tales out of school.
Signature Episode: "The Cartoon" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Sally was pretty good in the episode where she kept failing to bring Jerry an interesting tchotchke to show on The Tonight Show. But she really came into her own with her one-woman show "Jerry Seinfeld Is the Devil." A nice nod to Kathy Griffin's burgeoning career telling show-business tales out of school.
Signature Episode: "The Cartoon" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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35. Lloyd Braun (Matt McCoy)
George's nemesis Lloyd Braun was actually played by a different actor in his first go-round, when Elaine convinced him to give some terrible campaign advice to then-mayor Dinkins. And he's probably best known for selling computers for Frank "Serenity Now!" Costanza and ogling Elaine.
Signature Episode: "The Gum" [ Watch it on Hulu]
George's nemesis Lloyd Braun was actually played by a different actor in his first go-round, when Elaine convinced him to give some terrible campaign advice to then-mayor Dinkins. And he's probably best known for selling computers for Frank "Serenity Now!" Costanza and ogling Elaine.
Signature Episode: "The Gum" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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34. Jackie Chiles (Phil Morris)
Jackie Chiles is easily the most dated character on Seinfeld, being a very thinly-veiled version of Johnnie Cochran from the then-contemporary OJ Simpson trial. The show leaned on him a lot for a time, to the point of overuse. But he was a fine counterpart to Kramer's odd schemes, and Morris' cadence always scored laughs.
Signature Episode: "The Caddy" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Jackie Chiles is easily the most dated character on Seinfeld, being a very thinly-veiled version of Johnnie Cochran from the then-contemporary OJ Simpson trial. The show leaned on him a lot for a time, to the point of overuse. But he was a fine counterpart to Kramer's odd schemes, and Morris' cadence always scored laughs.
Signature Episode: "The Caddy" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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33. Sidra (Teri Hatcher)
"They're real, and they're spectacular." One line justifies her presence on this list.
Signature Episode: "The Implant" [ Watch it on Hulu]
"They're real, and they're spectacular." One line justifies her presence on this list.
Signature Episode: "The Implant" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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32. Peggy (Megan Cole)
Peggy was a fairly buttoned-up employee at J. Peterman who frequently got caught up in one Elaine scheme or another. Like when David Puddy tried to help her deal with her gemophobia. Or, early on, when she mistook Elaine for "Susie."
Signature Episode: "The Susie" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Peggy was a fairly buttoned-up employee at J. Peterman who frequently got caught up in one Elaine scheme or another. Like when David Puddy tried to help her deal with her gemophobia. Or, early on, when she mistook Elaine for "Susie."
Signature Episode: "The Susie" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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31. Beth (Debra Messing)
Jerry had to wait a long time for Beth to break up with her boyfriend so he could have a shot with her, only George ruined it with a thoughtless comment. She resurfaced in time to commiserate with Jerry over their shared distaste for dentists … and hers for Jews. Whoops.
Signature Episode: "The Yada Yada" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Jerry had to wait a long time for Beth to break up with her boyfriend so he could have a shot with her, only George ruined it with a thoughtless comment. She resurfaced in time to commiserate with Jerry over their shared distaste for dentists … and hers for Jews. Whoops.
Signature Episode: "The Yada Yada" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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30. Jane (Jami Gertz)
Jane was a girlfriend of Jerry's whose voice Kramer recognized from a phone-sex line. But her best moment was when Elaine realized she was the woman from the bathroom stall next to hers who couldn't spare a square.
Signature Episode: "The Stall" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Jane was a girlfriend of Jerry's whose voice Kramer recognized from a phone-sex line. But her best moment was when Elaine realized she was the woman from the bathroom stall next to hers who couldn't spare a square.
Signature Episode: "The Stall" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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29. Raquel Welch (Herself)
Kramer doofed his way into the Tony Award acceptance for "Scarsdale Surprise," but the downside was that he was asked to do the producers a favor and fire their star, Raquel Welch, who was "a complete trainwreck." Ever the good sport, Ms. Welch played herself and was rewarded by getting to beat up Kramer and Elaine.
Signature Episode: "The Summer of George" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Kramer doofed his way into the Tony Award acceptance for "Scarsdale Surprise," but the downside was that he was asked to do the producers a favor and fire their star, Raquel Welch, who was "a complete trainwreck." Ever the good sport, Ms. Welch played herself and was rewarded by getting to beat up Kramer and Elaine.
Signature Episode: "The Summer of George" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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28. Babu (Brian George)
Jerry tried very hard to promote Babu's restaurant, but his bad advice had dire consequences. Later, after Jerry also screwed up Babu's visa renewal, Babu realized once and for all that Jerry was a "very bad man" [finger wag].
Signature Episode: "The Café" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Jerry tried very hard to promote Babu's restaurant, but his bad advice had dire consequences. Later, after Jerry also screwed up Babu's visa renewal, Babu realized once and for all that Jerry was a "very bad man" [finger wag].
Signature Episode: "The Café" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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27. Russell Dalrymple (Bob Balaban)
In the same span of time, ace character actor Bob Balaban played real-life NBC programming exec Warren Littlefield in the HBO movie The Late Shift and also a thin gloss on Littlefield, Russell Dalrymple, on Seinfeld. His deadpan resistance to Jerry and George's pitch for a "show about nothing" was sublime.
Signature Episode: "The Shoes" [ Watch it on Hulu]
In the same span of time, ace character actor Bob Balaban played real-life NBC programming exec Warren Littlefield in the HBO movie The Late Shift and also a thin gloss on Littlefield, Russell Dalrymple, on Seinfeld. His deadpan resistance to Jerry and George's pitch for a "show about nothing" was sublime.
Signature Episode: "The Shoes" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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26. Mr. Wilhelm (Richard Herd)
George's boss at the New York Yankees, Mr. Wilhelm was a nice boss, kind of a pushover for George's various venal schemes, and at least once an easy mark for an apartment-cleaning cult. But his best episode came when he took to the men's room to assign a very important project to George, involving payroll and a trip downtown.
Signature Episode: "The Bottle Deposit" [ Watch it on Hulu]
George's boss at the New York Yankees, Mr. Wilhelm was a nice boss, kind of a pushover for George's various venal schemes, and at least once an easy mark for an apartment-cleaning cult. But his best episode came when he took to the men's room to assign a very important project to George, involving payroll and a trip downtown.
Signature Episode: "The Bottle Deposit" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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25. Carol (Lisa Mende)
"You gotta come see the BAY-BEE!" One iconic line, delivered ad nauseam, lands Jerry and Elaine's friend Carol at number 24.
Signature Episode: "The Hamptons" [ Watch it on Hulu]
"You gotta come see the BAY-BEE!" One iconic line, delivered ad nauseam, lands Jerry and Elaine's friend Carol at number 24.
Signature Episode: "The Hamptons" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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24. The Bubble Boy (Jon Hayman, voice)
Never seen, but for his bubble-clad hands choking George, the Bubble Boy was an early example of Seinfeld turning sentiment on its ear, with the ostensibly sympathetic terminal kid turning out to be a foul-mouthed little jerk who didn't even know that the Moops invaded Spain in the 8th century.
Signature Episode: "The Bubble Boy" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Never seen, but for his bubble-clad hands choking George, the Bubble Boy was an early example of Seinfeld turning sentiment on its ear, with the ostensibly sympathetic terminal kid turning out to be a foul-mouthed little jerk who didn't even know that the Moops invaded Spain in the 8th century.
Signature Episode: "The Bubble Boy" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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23. Mr. Pitt (Ian Abercrombie)
Mr. Pitt was Elaine's quirkiest boss until J. Peterman came and took that crown, but Abercrombie gave Pitt a perfect blend of cloistered money, officious demands, and oblivious privilege that perfectly allowed him to latch on to whatever odd foible of modern living the show wanted to satirize. Like "Magic Eye" puzzles, for example.
Signature Episode: "The Gymnast" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Mr. Pitt was Elaine's quirkiest boss until J. Peterman came and took that crown, but Abercrombie gave Pitt a perfect blend of cloistered money, officious demands, and oblivious privilege that perfectly allowed him to latch on to whatever odd foible of modern living the show wanted to satirize. Like "Magic Eye" puzzles, for example.
Signature Episode: "The Gymnast" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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22. Jimmy (Anthony Starke)
Jimmy talked about himself in the third person. Jimmy wore special sneakers that helped him jump high while playing basketball. Jimmy was real sweet on Elaine. Jimmy inspired the all-time most versatile Seinfeld line: "George is getting' upset!"
Signature Episode: "The Jimmy" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Jimmy talked about himself in the third person. Jimmy wore special sneakers that helped him jump high while playing basketball. Jimmy was real sweet on Elaine. Jimmy inspired the all-time most versatile Seinfeld line: "George is getting' upset!"
Signature Episode: "The Jimmy" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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21. Mr. Lippman (Harris Shore)
Mr. Lippman was a pretty chill boss for Elaine in the early going, but he kept popping up in her life now and again, the best of which was when he nicked Elaine's idea for an all-muffin-top bake shop. "Top of the Muffin TO YOU!"
Signature Episode: "The Muffin Tops" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Mr. Lippman was a pretty chill boss for Elaine in the early going, but he kept popping up in her life now and again, the best of which was when he nicked Elaine's idea for an all-muffin-top bake shop. "Top of the Muffin TO YOU!"
Signature Episode: "The Muffin Tops" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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20. Susan Ross (Heidi Swedberg)
Poor Susan, she of the ill-fated engagement to George and the licker of killer envelopes. Recently, Jason Alexander spoke of Swedberg's odd fit with the rest of the Seinfeld cast, but honestly that was her appeal. Her relative normalcy always spotlighted how awful our central four characters were.
Signature Episode: "The Pool Guy" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Poor Susan, she of the ill-fated engagement to George and the licker of killer envelopes. Recently, Jason Alexander spoke of Swedberg's odd fit with the rest of the Seinfeld cast, but honestly that was her appeal. Her relative normalcy always spotlighted how awful our central four characters were.
Signature Episode: "The Pool Guy" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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19. Kenny Bania (Steve Hytner)
The purposefully annoying quality of Bania's character probably prevents him from rising any higher on this list, but maybe he should, if only for his and Jerry's tête-à-tête over whether soup constituted a meal was one of Seinfeld's most inspired bits of social-contract agita.
Signature Episode: "The Soup" [ Watch it on Hulu]
The purposefully annoying quality of Bania's character probably prevents him from rising any higher on this list, but maybe he should, if only for his and Jerry's tête-à-tête over whether soup constituted a meal was one of Seinfeld's most inspired bits of social-contract agita.
Signature Episode: "The Soup" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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18. Aaron (Judge Reinhold)
Aaron began his one-episode stint as Elaine's boyfriend-of-the-week, but that's not what was great about it. Soon enough, he latched onto Jerry's parents, determined to show them the best of the city. Of course, what was most memorable about Aaron was his tight proximity to people when addressing them. Yes, Aaron was a close-talker, and it could be quite unnerving.
Signature Episode: "The Raincoats" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Aaron began his one-episode stint as Elaine's boyfriend-of-the-week, but that's not what was great about it. Soon enough, he latched onto Jerry's parents, determined to show them the best of the city. Of course, what was most memorable about Aaron was his tight proximity to people when addressing them. Yes, Aaron was a close-talker, and it could be quite unnerving.
Signature Episode: "The Raincoats" [ Watch it on Hulu]
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17. George Steinbrenner (Larry David, voice)
One of Larry David's few on-screen contributions to the show was a beauty, as the voice of the Yankees owner while George worked for the team. David knew enough to make Steinbrenner an exaggerated version of the holy terror that New Yorkers and baseball fans thought him to be.
Signature Episode: "The Nap" [ Watch it on Hulu]
One of Larry David's few on-screen contributions to the show was a beauty, as the voice of the Yankees owner while George worked for the team. David knew enough to make Steinbrenner an exaggerated version of the holy terror that New Yorkers and baseball fans thought him to be.
Signature Episode: "The Nap" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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16. Bette Midler (Herself)
The best of Seinfeld's celebrity cameos, Midler showed up to take part in a celebrity softball game and ended up getting plowed into and injured by George. Midler made for a tempestuous patient (cared for by Kramer), but she rewarded the audience with a quick performance of the title song from "Rochelle, Rochelle: The Musical."
Signature Episode: "The Understudy" [ Watch it on Hulu]
The best of Seinfeld's celebrity cameos, Midler showed up to take part in a celebrity softball game and ended up getting plowed into and injured by George. Midler made for a tempestuous patient (cared for by Kramer), but she rewarded the audience with a quick performance of the title song from "Rochelle, Rochelle: The Musical."
Signature Episode: "The Understudy" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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15. Jack Klompus (Sandy Baron)
Whether he was passive-aggressively urging Jerry to take his astronaut pen, needling the Seinfelds about community politics at Del Boca Vista, or driving Jerry's Cadillac, Jack was a fantastic pain in the butt.
Signature Episode: "The Cadillac" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Whether he was passive-aggressively urging Jerry to take his astronaut pen, needling the Seinfelds about community politics at Del Boca Vista, or driving Jerry's Cadillac, Jack was a fantastic pain in the butt.
Signature Episode: "The Cadillac" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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14. Sue Ellen Mischke (Brenda Strong)
An Oh Henry! candy bar heiress, nemesis of Elaine's, and bra-less wonder, Sue Ellen Michke completed the trip of nemeses to the main characters (Jerry had Newman; George had Lloyd Braun). Sue Ellen's brazen confidence in her own status and sex appeal made her a perfect foil for the neuroses-prone main characters.
Signature Episode: "The Caddy" [ Watch it on Hulu]
An Oh Henry! candy bar heiress, nemesis of Elaine's, and bra-less wonder, Sue Ellen Michke completed the trip of nemeses to the main characters (Jerry had Newman; George had Lloyd Braun). Sue Ellen's brazen confidence in her own status and sex appeal made her a perfect foil for the neuroses-prone main characters.
Signature Episode: "The Caddy" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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13. Kruger (Daniel von Bargen)
George's boss during the show's final season, he was almost too perfectly suited to George's laziness and deceit. Kruger was a total pushover because he just absolutely did not care about anything. Except, strangely enough, nicknames, which is how George ended up with the nickname "Koko."
Signature Episode: "The Slicer" [ Watch it on Hulu]
George's boss during the show's final season, he was almost too perfectly suited to George's laziness and deceit. Kruger was a total pushover because he just absolutely did not care about anything. Except, strangely enough, nicknames, which is how George ended up with the nickname "Koko."
Signature Episode: "The Slicer" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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12. The Soup Nazi (Larry Thomas)
There is no better example of the ability of Seinfeld in its prime to elevate a one-off guest star to sensational proportions. Everything about The Soup Nazi was memorable, from his burning hatred of protocol breaches to his catchphrase ("NO SOUP FOR YOU!"). Even better, he met his obstinate match in Elaine.
Signature Episode: "The Soup Nazi" [ Watch it on Hulu]
There is no better example of the ability of Seinfeld in its prime to elevate a one-off guest star to sensational proportions. Everything about The Soup Nazi was memorable, from his burning hatred of protocol breaches to his catchphrase ("NO SOUP FOR YOU!"). Even better, he met his obstinate match in Elaine.
Signature Episode: "The Soup Nazi" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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11. Mrs. Ross (Grace Zabriskie)
Susan's parents were great while George and Susan were engaged, as they got to stare at George (and his parents) with expressions of befuddled disgust. After Susan's death, their distaste for George reached new heights, like when he lied to them about having a place in the Hamptons.
Signature Episode: "The Wizard" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Susan's parents were great while George and Susan were engaged, as they got to stare at George (and his parents) with expressions of befuddled disgust. After Susan's death, their distaste for George reached new heights, like when he lied to them about having a place in the Hamptons.
Signature Episode: "The Wizard" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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10. Mr. Ross (Warren Frost)
Susan's father ranks one slot higher than his wife only because of the episode where it is revealed that he once had a passionate affair with the late John Cheever.
Signature Episode: "The Cheever Letters" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Susan's father ranks one slot higher than his wife only because of the episode where it is revealed that he once had a passionate affair with the late John Cheever.
Signature Episode: "The Cheever Letters" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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9. Uncle Leo (Len Lesser)
HELLO! Uncle Leo was the best. Just a great go-to for familial humor and general old-man crankiness. The episode where Jerry first convinces Leo to dump his girlfriend and start swinging, and then to return to his girlfriend as his only option, is some brilliant comedy.
Signature Episode: "The Shower Head" [ Watch it on Hulu]
HELLO! Uncle Leo was the best. Just a great go-to for familial humor and general old-man crankiness. The episode where Jerry first convinces Leo to dump his girlfriend and start swinging, and then to return to his girlfriend as his only option, is some brilliant comedy.
Signature Episode: "The Shower Head" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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8. Morty Seinfeld (Barney Martin)
Jerry's dad was a great blend of oblivious, irritable, and full of advice, but always in a generally agreeable way. His past as an expert raincoat salesman often gave him some real moments to shine.
Signature Episode: "The Raincoats" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Jerry's dad was a great blend of oblivious, irritable, and full of advice, but always in a generally agreeable way. His past as an expert raincoat salesman often gave him some real moments to shine.
Signature Episode: "The Raincoats" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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7. Helen Seinfeld (Liz Sheridan)
Jerry's mom ranks one spot higher than her husband simply for the moment when she greeted Newman at the door with a "Hello, Newman" of her own. Plus the uncomfortably close-quarters conversations she had with close-talker Judge Reinhold.
Signature Episode: "The Raincoats" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Jerry's mom ranks one spot higher than her husband simply for the moment when she greeted Newman at the door with a "Hello, Newman" of her own. Plus the uncomfortably close-quarters conversations she had with close-talker Judge Reinhold.
Signature Episode: "The Raincoats" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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6. Bookman (Phillip Baker Hall)
The pitiless, taciturn library book cop was an early standout for Seinfeld guest stars, and they found a great performer in Phillip Baker Hall. Tough to go wrong with a veteran of multiple Paul Thomas Anderson films.
Signature Episode: "The Library" [ Watch it on Hulu]
The pitiless, taciturn library book cop was an early standout for Seinfeld guest stars, and they found a great performer in Phillip Baker Hall. Tough to go wrong with a veteran of multiple Paul Thomas Anderson films.
Signature Episode: "The Library" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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5. Newman (Wayne Knight)
It's a bit of a surprise not to see him at number one, considering he was the most-recurring of all the non-regular cast members. But as brilliant a foil as Newman was, he occasionally suffered from overuse. Still, there were few things better than a genuine Newman tirade.
Signature Episode: "The Bottle Deposit" [ Watch it on Hulu]
It's a bit of a surprise not to see him at number one, considering he was the most-recurring of all the non-regular cast members. But as brilliant a foil as Newman was, he occasionally suffered from overuse. Still, there were few things better than a genuine Newman tirade.
Signature Episode: "The Bottle Deposit" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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4. Estelle Costanza (Estelle Harris)
George's mother was a braying foghorn of demands on her son and husband, though it was always delightful to see her react much more sweetly to Kramer. We'll always treasure poor Estelle, laid up in the hospital after walking in on her son pleasuring himself, going off on George for treating his body like it was an "amusement park."
Signature Episode: "The Contest" [ Watch it on Hulu]
George's mother was a braying foghorn of demands on her son and husband, though it was always delightful to see her react much more sweetly to Kramer. We'll always treasure poor Estelle, laid up in the hospital after walking in on her son pleasuring himself, going off on George for treating his body like it was an "amusement park."
Signature Episode: "The Contest" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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3. David Puddy (Patrick Warburton)
The best thing about David Puddy was how versatile he was. Initially the only honest mechanic in New York (who then stole Jerry's move and used it on Elaine), later a New Jersey Devil's superfan ("gotta support the team"), and most memorably as Elaine's most on-again/off-again boyfriend. The episode where they returned from vacation only to break up and make up several times on the plane won't soon be forgotten, by us or by Vegetable Lasagna.
Signature Episode: "The Butter Shave" [ Watch it on Hulu]
The best thing about David Puddy was how versatile he was. Initially the only honest mechanic in New York (who then stole Jerry's move and used it on Elaine), later a New Jersey Devil's superfan ("gotta support the team"), and most memorably as Elaine's most on-again/off-again boyfriend. The episode where they returned from vacation only to break up and make up several times on the plane won't soon be forgotten, by us or by Vegetable Lasagna.
Signature Episode: "The Butter Shave" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: NBC
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2. J. Peterman (John O'Hurley)
O'Hurley and the Seinfeld writers managed to convert the superciliousness of catalog speak into a walking, pontificating human being. Having that human being as Elaine's boss, making unrealistic demands on her and telling stories of his globe-hopping adventures in Rangoon or Burkina Faso, was an equally inspired decision.
Signature Episode: "The Van Buren Boys" [ Watch it on Hulu]
O'Hurley and the Seinfeld writers managed to convert the superciliousness of catalog speak into a walking, pontificating human being. Having that human being as Elaine's boss, making unrealistic demands on her and telling stories of his globe-hopping adventures in Rangoon or Burkina Faso, was an equally inspired decision.
Signature Episode: "The Van Buren Boys" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
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1. Frank Costanza (Jerry Stiller)
Anger incarnate, Frank Costanza was a human dynamo, at once an explanation for the mess of a person we know as George and yet also a quirkily unique creation all his own. He invented the "Bro" with Kramer, squared off with Elaine in a police station, and most memorably, created Festivus, the only holiday celebration to include an airing of grievances and feats of strength.
Signature Episode: "The Strike" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Anger incarnate, Frank Costanza was a human dynamo, at once an explanation for the mess of a person we know as George and yet also a quirkily unique creation all his own. He invented the "Bro" with Kramer, squared off with Elaine in a police station, and most memorably, created Festivus, the only holiday celebration to include an airing of grievances and feats of strength.
Signature Episode: "The Strike" [ Watch it on Hulu]
Photo: Everett Collection
