Seinfeld character guide
Who is Cosmo Kramer in Seinfeld?
Jerry's wild-haired neighbor across the hall, who bursts through the door without knocking, eats Jerry's food, and lives on a string of bizarre schemes despite never holding a steady job.
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- Show
- Seinfeld
- Played by
- Michael Richards
- First episode
- “The Seinfeld Chronicles”Season 1, Episode 1, aired July 5, 1989
- Role
- Main cast
- Network
- NBC
- Occupation
- No steady job, endless business schemes
- Show run
- 1989 to 1998
- Also known as
- Kramer, Cosmo, Kessler
Kramer lives across the hall from Jerry and treats his apartment, and his refrigerator, as an extension of his own. Michael Richards turned him into one of TV's great physical comedy creations, all sliding entrances and full-body reactions.
On Seinfeld, Cosmo Kramer's story runs through Jerry Seinfeld (Neighbor), George Costanza (Friend), Elaine Benes (Friend), Newman (Partner in Schemes), and Frank Costanza.
Who is Cosmo Kramer?
Kramer is Jerry's neighbor and the most unpredictable member of the group. For most of the series he is known only by his last name, and the gang is stunned when George finally learns his first name, Cosmo, from Kramer's mother in season six.
He has no regular job, yet he never seems short of money, confidence, or ideas. He runs a one-man company called Kramerica Industries, pitches inventions to anyone who will listen, files lawsuits with his lawyer Jackie Chiles, and wanders into jobs he was never hired for. Somehow, things often work out for him.
Personality and comedy
Kramer's trademark is his entrance: a sudden burst through Jerry's door, often followed by a skid, a jolt, or a pratfall. Richards played him as a man whose body reacts to everything a beat too late and twice as big, and his entrances regularly drew applause from the studio audience.
He is also oddly wise. Kramer is endlessly curious, comfortable in his own skin, and willing to try anything, from a coffee table book about coffee tables to a pizza place where customers make their own pies. He goes by other names when it suits him, including H.E. Pennypacker and Dr. Martin van Nostrand.
Key storylines
In season three, Kramer lands a single line in a Woody Allen film, and "These pretzels are making me thirsty" became the show's first catchphrase. His coffee table book idea, born in season five, leads to a promotional tour that collapses when he spits coffee on Kathie Lee Gifford, and in season nine Kramer learns the book is being made into a movie.
He sues a coffee company after a scalding spill, wanders into the Brandt-Leland office and starts working there without ever being hired, and teams up with Newman on a scheme to cash in bottles in Michigan. In the finale, he is tried and jailed with Jerry, George, and Elaine.
Behind the scenes and legacy
Kramer was loosely inspired by Kenny Kramer, a former neighbor of Larry David. Because the real Kramer had not yet agreed to the use of his name, the character was called Kessler in the pilot. Richards did not base his performance on the real man and declined to meet him.
Michael Richards won three Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the role, in 1993, 1994, and 1997. Kramer's entrances, hair, and vintage wardrobe remain some of the most imitated bits in TV comedy.
Key Cosmo Kramer episodes
- “The Alternate Side”Season 3, Episode 11Kramer gets one line in a Woody Allen movie and cannot stop rehearsing it.
- “The Opposite”Season 5, Episode 22Kramer's coffee table book tour falls apart after he spits coffee on Kathie Lee Gifford.
- “The Switch”Season 6, Episode 11Kramer's mother lets slip that his first name is Cosmo.
- “The Maestro”Season 7, Episode 3Kramer sues a coffee company after a hot spill, with Jackie Chiles at his side.
- “The Bizarro Jerry”Season 8, Episode 3Kramer wanders into the Brandt-Leland office and starts working there without ever being hired.
Season and episode numbers follow the original broadcast order.
Cosmo Kramer: frequently asked questions
Who plays Kramer on Seinfeld?
Michael Richards plays Kramer in every season of Seinfeld, starting with the 1989 pilot.
What is Kramer's first name?
Cosmo. George learns it from Kramer's mother, Babs, in the season six episode "The Switch."
Why is Kramer called Kessler in the pilot?
The character was inspired by Larry David's real neighbor Kenny Kramer, and the name Kessler was used in the pilot to avoid legal problems until Kenny Kramer agreed to let the show use his name.
What is Kramer's job?
Kramer never has a steady job. He runs schemes through Kramerica Industries, takes odd gigs like standing in for a soap actor, and once works at Brandt-Leland without being hired.
How many Emmys did Michael Richards win for Kramer?
Three. He won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1993, 1994, and 1997.
Test yourself: Cosmo Kramer quiz
5 questions about Cosmo Kramer. Think of your answer, then open the reveal to check it.
- Question 1
What is Kramer's first name?
- Kenny
- Cosmo
- Stanley
- Martin
Show the answer
Answer: B. Cosmo
Kramer's mother, Babs, lets the name slip in front of George in "The Switch," and Kramer soon decides to embrace being called Cosmo.
- Question 2
Who is the flamboyant lawyer Kramer hires to sue over a hot coffee spill?
- Lloyd Braun
- Jackie Chiles
- Bob Sacamano
- Mickey Abbott
Show the answer
Answer: B. Jackie Chiles
Phil Morris debuts as Jackie Chiles, a send-up of Johnnie Cochran, in "The Maestro," and Kramer settles for free coffee before Jackie can stop him.
- Question 3
In "The Marine Biologist," what does George pull out of the beached whale's blowhole?
- A golf ball
- A message in a bottle
- A fishing hook
- A Pez dispenser
Show the answer
Answer: A. A golf ball
The golf ball is one Kramer hit into the ocean earlier, and George's big speech at Monk's reveals the whole story.
- Question 4
Kramer was inspired by a real neighbor of Larry David's. What was that neighbor's name?
- Cosmo Kessler
- Kenny Kramer
- Kenny Bania
- Mickey Kramer
Show the answer
Answer: B. Kenny Kramer
Because Kenny Kramer had not yet agreed to the use of his name, the character was called Kessler in the pilot.
- Question 5
In "The Puffy Shirt," who designs the frilly pirate shirt Jerry agrees to wear without hearing what he said yes to?
- Elaine's boss, J. Peterman
- George's mother, Estelle
- Kramer's girlfriend, a low talker
- Jerry's girlfriend with man hands
Show the answer
Answer: C. Kramer's girlfriend, a low talker
Leslie speaks so softly that Jerry nods along without hearing her, and he ends up promoting her puffy shirt on national TV.
Sources and corrections
Reference pages used for this guide, including character, cast, and episode details.
Could Cosmo Kramer be today's mystery character? Name them in eight guesses.
Play today's SitcomdlePeople in Cosmo Kramer's life
- Jerry SeinfeldNeighborPlayed by Jerry SeinfeldThe fictional version of comedian Jerry Seinfeld, a neat, observational stand-up living on the Upper West Side who serves as the calm…
- George CostanzaFriendPlayed by Jason AlexanderJerry's lifelong best friend, a neurotic, cheap, endlessly scheming New Yorker whose lies, job disasters, and doomed romances make him one of the…
- Elaine BenesFriendPlayed by Julia Louis-DreyfusJerry's ex-girlfriend turned best friend, a sharp, confident, and famously blunt New Yorker who works her way through publishing jobs, bad bosses…
- NewmanPartner in SchemesPlayed by Wayne KnightJerry's smug, scheming nemesis down the hall, a mail carrier and Kramer's partner in crime whose every arrival is greeted with a frosty "Hello…
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- David PuddySide characterPlayed by Patrick WarburtonElaine's deadpan, on-and-off boyfriend, a square-jawed mechanic turned car salesman who paints his face for the New Jersey Devils and answers almost…
- Estelle CostanzaSide characterPlayed by Estelle HarrisGeorge's shrill, melodramatic mother, who squabbles nonstop with her husband Frank, nags George about everything…
- J. PetermanSide characterPlayed by John O'HurleyElaine's grandly eccentric boss at the J. Peterman clothing catalog, a world-traveling adventurer who narrates his own life like an old radio drama.
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