Actor Hiram Kasten, known for his roles in “Seinfeld,” “Craig Your Enthusiasm” and “Saved by the Bell,” has died at the age of 71.
His wife, Diana Kisiel Kastenbaum, was born in New York. Facebook Post On Sunday, the actor revealed that he had been battling prostate cancer.
According to the post, the actor died in his wife’s arms “just hours after their 38th wedding anniversary.”
In addition to cancer, Kasten had been battling Crohn’s disease for the past seven years. He died at his home in Batavia, New York.
The post said that since 2017, Kasten’s “health had deteriorated to the point where it was no longer possible for him to perform or actively pursue his career” but that “it was only over the last six months that he began to open up to friends about his terminal condition.”
“The great comedy and arts community rallied around him,” some of whom traveled to Batavia to visit him, and late-night Zoom calls with friends on both coasts continued into the early hours of the morning.”
“Having friends to laugh with has probably saved him at least another two months of life,” his wife added.
A funeral service will be held at a later date at Schwartz Brothers Jeffers Memorial Chapel in Forest Hills, New York.
An official memorial service will be held in Los Angeles, California later in the summer.
Kasten is best known for playing the role of Michael on Seinfeld from 1993 to 1994. His character was a co-worker of Elaine Benes, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
The actor rose to fame in the New York comedy world when he became a regular performer at The Comic Strip, the iconic venue where Jerry Seinfeld once performed, and went on to make a name for himself in the comedy world.
“Seinfeld got Hiram on his first audition and he became a regular,” Diana wrote in the post, adding that the two forged a “friendship that has lasted 45 years.”
Kasten also boasted friendships with Michael Richards, Paul Reiser, Larry Miller and Mark Schiff.
Kasten has also performed stand-up at The Improv, The Comedy Cellar, Caroline’s and Dangerfield’s.
In addition to his appearance on “Seinfeld,” Kasten also appeared in “Saved by the Bell,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Sybil,” “Sidekick,” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
In the early 2000s, Kasten appeared in Curve Your Enthusiasm, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, My Wife and Kids, and 7th Heaven.
The Bronx-born actor is survived by his wife, Diana, daughter Millicent Jade and brother-in-law Kevin John Kisiel.
