Jerry Seinfeld

Jerry Seinfeld’s standup act and incomparably popular sitcom Seinfeld represented a new style of comedy lampooned by the satirists at The Simpsons and elsewhere, but which also inspired scores of followers and imitators. His standup persona and Seinfeld character relied on an incredulous, often sarcastic streak of observations about everyday life that fit right into the pace and tone of American—and particularly New York—life in the 1990’s. The absurdist streak underlying his comedy writing was capable of lending the show existential poignancy as it pointed out home truths about love, friendship and life in everyday society.

Jerry Seinfeld (born April 29, 1954) has acknowledged that his salesman father was his greatest comic inspiration, and has publicly expressed regret that his father did not live to see him reach success. But armed with a quick wit and strong powers of observation, he had no trouble sustaining his weekly sitcom over several seasons. He was greatly aided by writing partner Larry David, whose knack for tying plot points together represented the vanguard in TV comedy writing. Characters and jokes from an early point in an episode would resurface later on to spectacular effect. While episodes following David’s departure remained popular—and hilarious—most fans consider the collaborative episodes to be the strongest.

Jerry Seinfeld has a reputation for fastidiousness, which, when turned toward creative endeavors pays huge dividends. As such, he has worked hard to achieve and maintain creative control over his projects—a fact he cites as a reason for having never made a Seinfeld film. His commitment to comedy and strong work habits helped him discover and partner with some of television’s greatest comic actors. Today his career activity has quieted somewhat, allowing him to spend more time with his wife Jessica, and their three children—although he continues to make occasional high-profile standup performances.