Moneycontrol PRO
HomeEntertainmentTV'Seinfeld’ and ‘Saved by the Bell’ actor comedian Hiram Kasten dies in wife's arms hours after their 38th wedding anniversary

'Seinfeld’ and ‘Saved by the Bell’ actor comedian Hiram Kasten dies in wife's arms hours after their 38th wedding anniversary

At the age of 71, Hiram Kasten, a famous American actor and comedian known for his parts in many hit comedies, departed from this life. Jerry Seinfeld was good friends with Kasten, who had noteworthy parts in "Seinfeld," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "Saved By the Bell."

June 18, 2024 / 17:08 IST
Hiram Kasten (on the left) was a close friend of Jerry Seinfeld (on the right.) (Image via X)

Hiram Kasten, a beloved American actor and comedian renowned for his roles in numerous popular sitcoms, passed away at the age of 71.

Kasten, who had memorable roles in "Seinfeld," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "Saved By the Bell," was a close friend of Jerry Seinfeld.

His wife, Diana Kisiel Kastenbaum, shared the news of his passing on Facebook on Sunday, revealing that Kasten had been battling prostate cancer. According to her post, Kasten died in her arms just hours after they celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary, as reported by the New York Post.

In addition to prostate cancer, Kasten had been fighting Crohn’s disease for the past seven years. He passed away at his home in Batavia, a town in upstate New York near Buffalo.

Born Hiram Z. Kastenbaum on October 30, 1952, Kasten is best remembered for his role as Michael, a colleague of Elaine Benes in "Seinfeld." He met Jerry Seinfeld during his early stand-up days at Comic Strip Live in New York City, where Seinfeld was the emcee. This encounter sparked a lifelong friendship of 45 years, according to his obituary.

Kasten's extensive career in the New York comedy circuit included performances at iconic venues such as The Improv, The Comedy Cellar, Caroline’s, and Dangerfield’s.

Besides his work on "Seinfeld," Kasten appeared in various other TV shows, including "Mad About You," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Saved by the Bell," and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

Seinfeld “passed Hiram on his first audition and he became a regular,” Diana Kastenbaum wrote in her post, highlighting their enduring friendship.

Kasten retired from the entertainment industry in 2017 as his health declined, though he only disclosed the full extent of his illness to friends in the last six months. His obituary noted the strong support from his comedy and artistic community, with friends visiting him in Batavia and participating in late-night Zoom calls from both coasts, extending their companionship into the early hours.

Kasten's legacy lives on through his significant contributions to the world of comedy and the enduring relationships he fostered throughout his life.

Akshay Hebbalad
first published: Jun 18, 2024 05:08 pm

Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

Subscribe to Tech Newsletters

  • On Saturdays

    Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.

  • Daily-Weekdays

    Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347
CloseOutskill Genai