Top Ten Seinfeld Supporting Characters

Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer captivated audiences for nine years – and through syndication, many more years since – with their adventures in New York. We watched them go through situations that were not only hilarious but completely relatable. But in as much as the plotlines tended to centre on them, over the years the quartet made notable friends, enemies, casual acquaintances that gave their lives more definition. Although we never got to meet some of these characters (Bob Sacamano, Jerry’s sister), we got to meet most of these oddballs over the nine seasons. This list looks at some of the best recurring characters in the show’s history. The list will be chosen based on impact, enduring legacy and number of appearances.

Ten

Uncle Leo

Appeared in: Seasons 2 – 9

Jerry's obnoxious uncle. Uncle Leo is the typical older relative who can't keep their nose out of your business, always intruding your physical and emotional space. Leo's fondness for his nephew is always expressed over enthusiastically with a large grin and a booming "Hello!" that becomes his character's signature. Despite his fondness for Jerry, he's even more fond of his other nephew Jeffrey (who viewers never get to see).

Nine

Mickey Abbott

Appeared in: Seasons 5 – 9

Kramer’s hot tempered little friend. It speaks to the high caliber writing on Seinfeld that Mickey’s size (the actor is a little person) wasn’t a subject of ridicule or especially relevant to any of the characters. He is a working actor who befriended Kramer on the set of a soap opera. Although Kramer seems to be closer to Newman, he and Mickey are responsible for some of the funniest plots in the latter half of Seinfeld’s run.

Eight

Morty and Helen Seinfeld

Appeared in: Seasons 1 – 9

It seems to be standard for sitcoms to have their main characters have crazy, eccentric parents. But Helen and Morty buck the trend in many ways. After all, it wouldn’t make sense for such a normal, well-adjusted man like Jerry to have wacky parents. But this just means they are hilarious in very specific and quirky ways. They constantly worry about Jerry and his ability to take care of himself and in a running gag, always try and suggest he leave comedy and try something more stable.

Seven

George Steinbrenner

Appeared in: Seasons 5 – 9

A parody of real-life Yankees owner, Steinbrenner was George Costanza’s boss for three seasons. He was voiced by Seinfeld co-creator, Larry David, who plays Steinbrenner as an erratic motor mouth with poor social skills and no filter. Aside from his nonsensical ramblings, he was also known for his odd decisions and loose style of leadership. How else could anyone justify George keeping a job for that long?

Six

Kenny Bania

Appeared in: Seasons 6 – 9

With friends like these who needs enemies? Bania, a fellow stand-up comic, has so much reverence for Jerry that he can’t appreciate just how much the latter can’t stand him. But that’s part of Bania’s charm – his obliviousness. He’s relentlessly optimistic, excessively confident and irritatingly obnoxious. It’s okay though because Jerry’s pain is our hilarious gain.

Five Jackie Chiles Appeared In: Seasons 5 – 9

Who knew being verbose could be so funny? When Phil Morris took on the role of Jackie Chiles, he was told to parody Johnny Cochran, O.J Simpson’s lawyer, a lawyer who would become infamous for his specific speech patterns. Despite the dated reference point, Morris’ Chiles character became one of Seinfeld’s most beloved and memorable characters. He was easily the highlight of the show’s final episode and it was only right that he got to win at the end.

Four J. Peterman Appeared in: Seasons 6 – 9

Another iconic character based on a parody of a real person. John O’ Hurley, then a popular soap opera actor, brought charming hilarity to the eccentric owner of the J. Peterman Catalog sales company. His eccentricities mixed with his social awkwardness make Elaine’s job writing for the catalog more complicated than necessary. Whether he’s forcing her to watch films she doesn’t want to see or making her travel to exotic locations for inspiration, his consistently strange behavior made for guaranteed laughs.

Three

David Puddy

Appeared in: Seasons 6 – 9

Elaine’s aloof on-and-off boyfriend. Originally written as a one episode character, Patrick Warburton’s hilarious interpretation made Seinfeld laugh so much that the character kept getting written into more episodes. His laid back manner often contrasted with Elaine’s more brusque personality and caused more break ups to make ups than I can count. They are so obviously wrong for each other and yet their undeniable attraction to each other is so strong, they keep getting together to make each other miserable.

Two

Newman

Appeared In: Seasons 3 – 9

The Lex Luthor to Jerry’s Superman, the Joker to his Batman. The rotund mailman with no apparent first name, was one of Jerry’s neighbors and seemed to exist solely to irritate the usually unflappable Jerry. Where Kramer and Jerry’s many differences seemed to strengthen their bond, Newman’s differences with Jerry only made him an adversary. Despite this, Newman got along very well with Kramer, with whom he shared many adventures with. He’s also responsible for one of the funniest recurring bits on the show,

Newman: “Hello, Jerry.” (falsely jovial)

Jerry: “Hello, Newman.” (with dripping disdain)

One

Frank Costanza

Appeared in: Seasons 4 – 9

The other half of George’s twisted origin story. If having Estelle as a mother gave George’s chances at normalcy difficult, having Frank as a father effectively buried them. Frank is a simmering ball of rage with many, many eccentricities. He collects TV Guides as a hobby. His lawyer wears a cape. He invented a fringe alternative to Christmas. He sold Christian relics for a living. He wore his shoes everywhere (even in the pool) because of a foot odor problem. Truth is, this barely scratches the surface when it comes to the oddities of Frank Costanza. But let’s just say it takes a certain amount of crazy to steal focus from Kramer and Jerry Stiller’s Frank did it

consistently. He is without doubt Seinfeld’s best side character.

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