Kenny Kramer

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Kenny Kramer

Kenny Kramer was the model for character of Cosmo Kramer in the sitcom Seinfeld. Just as the character of Jerry Seinfeld lived across the hall from Cosmo Kramer in the television show, Seinfeld co-creator Larry David lived across the hall from Kenny for six years. The two occupied the Manhattan Plaza, a federally assisted apartment complex for performing artists in Hell's Kitchen, New York City.

Contrary to popular speculation, as Kenny Kramer has confirmed in a behind-the-scenes interview for the "Seinfeld" DVD in the documentary: "Kramer vs Kramer: Kenny to Cosmo", Michael Richards did not meet with Kenny to study the character and actually wanted nothing to do with him at all. The character of Kramer was originally going to be named Kessler, due to Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David's justified fear that using the name might spur the real Kramer to exploit his association with the character. However, they eventually came to the conclusion that the name was too good not to use. Kenny Kramer then proceeded to contact Castle Rock Entertainment with a list of several demands, many of which were financial, for the use of his name. All of these were met even though Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David remained worried that Kenny Kramer would exploit the Kramer name as much as possible, which he did in fact go on to do. Prior to serving as the model for Kramer, he enjoyed a long career as a stand-up comedian, and worked as the manager for a British reggae band. During the popularity of disco, Kenny created a piece of electronic jewelry that sold so well that he lived comfortably off of it for years. Kenny has been the host of Kramer's Reality Tour and Kramer's Reality Road Show for the past ten years. He tells the behind-the-scene Seinfeld story to his audience, and in New York, he also gives a bus tour of sites made famous by Seinfeld.

In addition, Kramer has worked as a correspondent for Hard Copy, created and hosted "Kramer's New York" segments for the New York City Fox channel's Good-Day New York, and has appeared in the original New York company of Tony n' Tina's Wedding, playing himself. He has made numerous appearances on the bonus features of the Seinfeld DVD series, and he has starred in the DVD version of his reality tour.

In 2001, Kramer ran to become the mayor of New York City, as a Libertarian candidate, and lost. While his first failed attempt at running for mayor was a joke, Kramer insisted that this time he was for real. His campaign slogan was: "Kramer for mayor...This time I'm not kidding!"

In 2006, after Michael Richards was facing negative publicity for racist comments made on stage during a comedic performance, Kenny Kramer released a statement distancing himself from Richards, saying that he personally is not a racist.