Hiram Kasten: “Seinfeld” actor and comedian is dead

Hiram Kasten is dead. The comedian and actor (including “Seinfeld”) died on Sunday (June 16, 2024) at the age of 71 in his home in Batavia, New York. This was reported in an obituary for the actor. His confirmed Hiram Kasten’s death by sharing the obituary of the “Batavian”.

The deceased was born on October 30, 1952 as Hiram Z. Kastenbaum in New York City, in a Jewish neighborhood in the Bronx. After graduating from college, Kasten initially made his way into the theater. But he was soon drawn to the comedy stage. He performed at The Comic Strip Live, the oldest stand-up comedy club in New York.

From “Seinfeld” to “Sabrina”

The host of his first gig on Comic Strip Live was a certain Jerry Seinfeld (70). It was the beginning of a long friendship with the future comedy superstar. When Jerry Seinfeld later launched his hit sitcom named after him, he gave Hiram Kasten a small role. In 1993 and 1994, Kasten played the part of Michael in “Seinfeld”. In three episodes he played Elaine’s (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 63) work colleague.

His appearance in “Seinfeld” was not Hiram Kasten’s first series role and would not be his last. He appeared as a guest in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” alongside Will Smith (55) and in “Everybody Loves Raymond” by and with Ray Romano (66). Kasten also appeared in “Let It Go, Larry” by “Seinfeld” co-creator Larry David (76). He even had two different episode roles in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”.

He died shortly after his 68th death anniversary

The obituary in “The Batavian” did not mention a cause of death. However, Hiram Kasten had suffered from various illnesses since 2017, including prostate cancer. He struggled with the chronic intestinal inflammation Crohn’s disease his entire life. Hiram Kasten died one day after his 38th wedding anniversary with his wife Diana Kisiel Kastenbaum. According to the obituary, he died in her arms. The comedian leaves behind his daughter Millicent Jade Kastenbaum, who works as a prosecutor.