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 |