‘Seinfeld’ Actor Hiram Kasten Dies After Prostate Cancer Battle

Seinfeld actor Hiram Kasten, who played the role of the character Elaine Benes’ coworker Michael, has reportedly died at the age of 71. Kasten’s official cause of death is being listed as coming from various illnesses, including a fight with prostate cancer that had recently worsened.

The actor, who was also a stand-up comedian, rose to prominence in the 1980s in New York City, where he caught the attention of growing stand-up comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld.

The actor also had roles in the shows, “My Wife and Kids,” “Saved By the Bell,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “7th Heaven,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Men of a Certain Age,” and many more. Kasten could be described as a prolific television actor.

If there’s one television show that sticks out on top of all the rest, maybe in the history of television, it’s Seinfeld. The hit sitcom from the 1990s is widely regarded as one of the funniest and well-written comedy shows of all time.

Formed by the vision of creator Larry David as well as comedian Jerry Seinfeld, the show has remained extremely popular even 30 years after it originally aired.

The show is routinely lauded for its writing, as well as its cast, who, led by Seinfeld himself captivated audience for every episode of the series. The actors included Michael Richards, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Jason Alexander.

Besides Richards, who committed career-suicide in the early 2000s by screaming racial slurs in a comedy club, every actor involved in the show went on to tremendous success after its run.

An obituary posted to the actor’s Facebook page reads,

Hiram Kasten loved show business and lived his dream of being in show business. His most satisfying and greatest role though was as a family man. He loved being a dad to his beautiful and brilliant daughter who survives him, Millicent Jade Kastenbaum of Manhattan. Her many achievements in her young life and in her career as an Assistant District Attorney have made him burst with pride and love. He is survived by his beloved wife, Diana Kisiel Kastenbaum of Batavia, New York, who loved and tenderly cared for him until the end. They were married on June 15, 1986 and he died in her arms on June 16, 2024, only hours after their 38th wedding anniversary. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Kevin John Kisiel of Rochester, New York and several loving nieces and nephews and their children, as well as wonderful cousins on both sides of the family.

Funeral services will be at Schwartz Brothers-Jeffers Memorial Chapel, 114 03 Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills, New York (date and time to be announced). Burial will take place immediately after services at Mount Hebron Cemetery, 130-04 Horace Harding Expressway, Flushing, New York.

Kasten will always be remembered for his dedication to acting, and for his contribution to one of the most classic television shows that has ever aired.

Rest in peace, Hiram Kasten!