Hiram Kasten, ‘Seinfeld’ and ‘Saved by the Bell’ actor and comedian, dead at 71

Hiram Kasten, the New York comedian who obtained reputation on sitcoms which includes “Seinfeld,” has died. He was 71.

Kasten died Sunday in the arms of his spouse, Diana Kisiel Kastenbaum, in their New York property “only hrs just after their 38th wedding anniversary,” pursuing a fight with prostate most cancers and Crohn’s ailment, according to an obituary released by the Batavian.

Kasten, born Hiram Z. Kastenbaum on Oct. 30, 1952, was finest acknowledged for his supporting purpose as Michael, Elaine Benes’ co-worker on “Seinfeld.” The comedian satisfied Jerry Seinfeld when doing stand-up at the Comic Strip Reside in New York City, where Seinfeld worked as the emcee. The comedians struck up “a friendship that has lasted for 45 years,” the obituary stated.

Kasten’s prolific operate in the New York comedy scene integrated appearances at these types of golf equipment as the Improv, the Comedy Cellar, Caroline’s and Dangerfield’s.

Kasten also appeared on several other Television set demonstrates, like “Mad About You,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Saved by the Bell” and “The Fresh new Prince of Bel-Air.”

Kasten retired from the leisure marketplace in 2017 as his well being began to decline, but only discovered the severity of his diagnosis to mates only in the past 6 months. His “great comedy and artistic community rallied to his side,” his obituary states, and as “some manufactured journeys to Batavia to go to him, late night time Zoom meetings with friends on each coasts ensued and went into the wee several hours of the early morning.”

“It extended his existence for at least an additional two months to be capable to chortle with his friends,” Kastenbaum reported.

He is survived by his spouse and daughter, Millicent Jade.