Cosmo Kramer
The lovable rogue with an upright hairstyle, vintage wardrobe, and impractical business ideas.
Cosmo Kramer, usually referred to simply as Kramer, is a fictional character in the American television sitcom Seinfeld (1989–1998) played by Michael Richards. The character is loosely based on the comedian Kenny Kramer, a former neighbor of Seinfeld co-creator Larry David. The character Kramer is the neighbor of the series' main character, Jerry Seinfeld, and is friends with George Costanza and Elaine Benes. His character is that of a lovable rogue, with his trademarks being his upright hairstyle, vintage wardrobe, impractical business ideas and eccentric personality, whose combination led The Atlantic Monthly reviewer Francis Davis to characterize him as a "hipster doofus." The show's writers later adopted this description into the program.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Seinfeld
- First
- "The Seinfeld Chronicles" (1989)
- Last
- "Seinfeld" (2009)
- Also known as
- Kessler
- H. E. Pennypacker
- Professor van Nostrand
- Dr. Martin van Nostrand
- Gender
- Male
- Family
- Babs Kramer (mother)
- Based on
- Kenny Kramer
- Portrayed by
- Michael Richards
Lore & Background
Kramer appears in all but three episodes: "The Chinese Restaurant," "The Pen," and "The Subway," in the second and third seasons, respectively. For the pilot episode, Kramer was named "Kessler" to avoid potential legal issues; Kenny Kramer later authorized the use of his name. Kramer never completed high school; in "The Heart Attack," it is revealed that he dropped out, and in "The Bottle Deposit," it is mentioned that he has a GED. Kramer was estranged for a long period from his mother, Babs Kramer, who works as a restroom matron at a department store. He is one of two main characters whose father never appears on screen (Elaine's father Dr. Benes also only appears via voice). In "The Wait Out," Kramer mentions that he has or had a deaf cousin, from whom he learned fluent American Sign Language. Kramer's apartment is the subject of numerous radical experiments in interior design, including a plan to eliminate all furniture and build "levels... like ancient Egypt" mentioned by Jerry in "The Pony Remark." He found the original set of The Merv Griffin Show being discarded and installed it in his apartment in "The Merv Griffin Show."
Reader's Guide
Kramer is obsessed with high-quality fresh fruit and occasionally smokes pipes and Cuban cigars. He is also known for his habit of bursting through Jerry's apartment door without knocking, and eating Jerry's food. His antics include frequent pratfalls and a penchant for noisy, percussive outbursts to indicate skepticism, agreement, irritation and a variety of other feelings. He has been described as "an extraordinary cross between Eraserhead and Herman Munster." In early episodes, Michael Richards played Kramer slow, but then learned to play him faster by coming up with such things as Kramer's sliding entrances through Jerry's door. "After 13 shows, I started playing him faster so that he's ahead of everybody," Richards said. In the second season of the series the trademark physical comedy of the character was introduced. Richards suggested that a scene Larry David had written where Kramer talks about how he took revenge on a washing machine by putting cement in it instead be more visual and acted out physically. Richards has stated that this scene in the episode "The Revenge" is the scene he is most proud of. George finds out his first name of "Cosmo" through an encounter with Kramer's long-estranged mother, Babs, in "The Switch."
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cosmo Kramer?
Cosmo Kramer is the eccentric neighbor who resides in apartment 5B directly opposite Jerry Seinfeld. He is best known for his wild hair and habit of bursting into conversations with bizarre business proposals.
How does Kramer enter Jerry's apartment?
He is famous for bursting through the door with a signature physical slide across the floor before coming to a stop inside. This entrance immediately signals that something chaotic or unusual is about to happen in the scene.
More in Characters & Guest Stars
Elsewhere in Seinfeld
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