Kenny Kramer

Kenny Kramer is an occasional stand up comedian, politician, inventor, tour guide, and is the inspiration for Seinfeld’s infamous Character, Cosmo Kramer. Kenny was the long time neighbor of the show’s co-creator Larry David. Before David’s enormous success with “Seinfeld,” the two were both struggling artists living in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen. During this time Kenny provided Larry David with several quirky personality bits (such as the random pop-in, ridiculous schemes, and a miraculous ability to make money without pursuing traditional employment) that would be highlighted for 9 amazing Seinfeld seasons. Before Seinfeld, Kenny tried his hand at managing an up and coming British Reggae band, Bill Beason (A New York point karate fighter), and doing late night stand up comedy.

After Seinfeld got green lit for a pilot by NBC in 1988 Kenny Kramer went on the offensive. After learning that his life had inspired a main character for the show he approached the studio with a long list of demands (mostly financial), one of which was that he be cast to play the role of “Kramer.” The studio refused the majority of his demands, but this did not dissuade Kenny from trying to be a part of the show. He offered (and was refused) to help Michael Richards prepare for the role, and he later started and hosted two bus tours called “Kramer’s reality tour,” and “Kramer’s reality road show.” Seinfeld would later parody this fact in the episode titled, “Muffin Tops” where Cosmo Kramer starts a bus tour called, “The real J. Peterman.” After Elaine’s boss J. Peterman decided to purchase several of Kramer’s real life stories for his ghost written autobiography.

In 1997 Kenny Kramer ran for mayor of New York City expressing that he wanted to be taken seriously and that he sought to represent, “A lot of disfranchised Democrats.” In 2001, claiming his first attempt as a publicity stunt, Kenny ran again, this time as a Libertarian under the campaign slogan “Kramer for mayor… this time I’m not kidding!” Kenny currently sells real life Kramer t-shirts on Kennykramer.com for 20 dollars plus 3.29 shipping and handling.