Birthdate: July 24, 1949

Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA

Occupations: Actor, Comedian

Claim to Fame: Cosmo Kramer on Seinfeld

Significant Other(s):
Wife: Cathleen Richards; married for 18 years; divorced

Family:
Mother: Phyllis, medical-records librarian
Father: William, electrical engineer (died when Richards was very young)
Daughter: Sophia; born 1975

Awards:
1992/93: Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Seinfeld
1993/94: Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Seinfeld

Education:
Thousand Oaks High School
California Institute of the Arts (BA in theater)

Movies:
David Copperfield (2000)
Trial and Error (1997)
London Suite (1996)
Unstrung Heroes (1995)
Airheads (1994)
Coneheads (1993)
Problem Child (1990)
UHF (1989)
Whoops Apocalypse (1986)
Star Trek - Ep. 75 (1969)

More:
In performing his role as "Kramer," Richards brings a physical agility that is rarely seen. Influenced by legendary comedians such as Charlie Chaplin and Jaques Tati, his specialty is using physical comedy. He also believes that "it is important for me to create a sense of depth by maintaining a certain tension in the character, while simultaneously producing laughter."
Richards grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles and obtained a degree in theater from the California Institute of the Arts. Upon graduating, he performed in several productions at the San Diego Repertory Company. He also starred in the production of "American Clock" and "Wild Oats" at the Mark Taper Forum.

With a lifelong interest in comedy, Richards decided in 1979 to pursue standup comedy. He performed nightly for nine straight months at such places as The Comedy Store and The Improvisation until Billy Crystal gave him his first "real paying job" on the "Billy Crystal Special." From there he spent the next two-and-a-half years starring in the ABC comedy, "Fridays," where he became best known for creating "Battle Boy" -- an impassioned male who took pleasure in blowing up miniature battle figures.

Richards has been seen in a cameo role in TriStar's "So I Married an Axe Murderer," starring Mike Myers. He also made an appearance in "Coneheads" with Dan Aykroyd and fellow castmember Jason Alexander, as well as the 20th Century Fox film "Airheads" starring Brendan Fraser. His other film credits include "Problem Child," UHF," "Whoops," "Apocalypse," "Transylvania 6-5000" and "Young Doctors in Love."

Other television credits include performing as a series regular in "Marblehead Manor," recurring roles in "St. Elsewhere," "Miami Vice," "Hill Street Blues," "Cheers," "Night Court," "It's A Living," "Sidekicks," "What A Country," "The Scarecrow and Mrs. King," as well as appearances in the miniseries "Fresno," "The Jonathan Winters Special," two movies-of-the-week and four pilots.

Thanks to Columbia Tristar and eOnline