Throughout Seinfeld's run on television, and up to and including today, fans have become attached to its main characters, their comical shenanigans, and seemingly impossible and unrealistic storylines. But although it was the main characters in the limelight, its supporting characters were equally as important.
Some became series regulars, like postman Newman (Wayne Knight) and Susan (Heidi Swedberg). Before becoming characters in the famous sitcom, some were already well known on the small and big screen. Others continued their acting careers and even hit it big after their supporting role on the show, becoming notable Hollywood actors.
Liz Sheridan (Helen): Play The Game
Before being Jerry's mother on the show, Liz Sheridan was already well recognized on stage and in small television and movie roles. In 1977, she co-starred alongside Meryl Streep in the musical, Happy End. She would later have roles in various primetime network movies and series, from St.Elsewhere and The A-Team to Murder She Wrote.
Her most recent work that caused a stir was the 2009 movie, Play the Game. The movie centered around a widowed grandfather who has been out of the dating game for some time. He finally gets back out there with the help of his grandson. Sheridan played Edna Gordon and the movie received some controversy due to a sex scene between her character and another.
Barney Martin (Morty): Arthur
Barney Martin became one of television's most beloved fathers who many viewers could relate to when it comes to their own parent. He played the role of Morty Seinfeld from 1991 until 1998. Not many may know that Martin was also a comedy writer and former NYPD detective.
In 1975, Martin played the role of Amos Hart in the hit musical, Chicago. When it comes to movies, he played Ralph Marolla in the comedy, Arthur and then reprised the role seven years later. Sadly, in 2005, Martin passed away from bladder cancer.
John O'Hurley (J.Peterman): Family Feud
J. Peterman (John O'Hurley) really had a way with words and the smooth voice to match. He became a recurring character on Seinfeld as Elaine's new boss at the J. Peterman catalog. O'Hurley would play a fictional version of the real-life character.
Beyond the sitcom, O'Hurley made himself known on the game show, Family Feud. He was the show's fifth host from 2006 until 2010. Viewers may also recall him as King Neptune in Spongebob and as Roger Doofenshmirtz in Phineas & Ferb.
Danny Woodburn (Mickey): Conan The Adventurer
Conan the Adventurer is only one of the many roles that actor Danny Woodburn is noted for. He played Kramer's acting friend, Mickey Abbott, in the sitcom. The actor has appeared in many movies and TV shows from playing Grimm in Mirror Mirror to guest roles in Charmed and Monk.
From 1997 until 1998, Woodburn would have the lead role as Otli in the live-action adventure series about Conan the Barbarian. In 2017, he also had a recurring role in The Bold and the Beautiful as Kenny. The comedian and activist has appeared in a total of 150 television roles and 30 movie roles in his career so far.
Steve Hytner (Kenny Bania): The Prophecy
Steve Hytner is a type of actor that many remember seeing in a variety of roles on screen. He played one of Jerry's most hated foes on the sitcom, Kenny Bania. It became Hytner's most recognized role in his career. He has since gone on to play various other roles, however, in The Haunted Mansion, EuroTrip, and more.
In 1995, he appeared in the fantasy thriller movie, The Prophecy. The movie starred Christopher Walken and Elias Koteas in a telling of the story of the Archangel Gabriel. Hytner would play a supporting role as Joseph and would reprise the role in the sequels.
Heidi Swedberg (Susan): Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Heidi Swedberg's role as Susan Ross on Seinfeld became her most recognized work in her career. Susan was George's fiancé who he met at NBC and sadly met her end due to toxic glue from their cheap wedding invites. During and after her departure from the role, she had many guest appearances on television. She played Rekelen on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Robin Turner in two episodes of ER.
Besides her acting career, Swedberg is also a musician and plays the ukulele in her band Heidi Swedberg and The Sukey Jump Band. They have even released studio albums and play at festivals and nightclubs.
Estell Harris (Estelle): Toy Story 2
Actor Estelle Harris's role in Seinfeld is also named Estelle and her exaggerated shrill voice and demeanor was a perfect fit to play George's mother. Harris became widely known for her supporting role, but it's her voice that's the star.
Harris would voice the famous toy, Mrs. Potato Head, in Toy Story 2 in 1999. Her voice became synonymous with the character and it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role. She would reprise voicing the character for the rest of the movie's installments.
Patrick Warburton (Puddy): Family Guy
Elaine has had many love interests that range from being date-worthy to being the absolute worst. Some reasons behind her breakups were justifiable. One love interest that stood the test of time was the seemingly dim-witted mechanic-then-salesman, Puddy (Patrick Warburton).
Much like Estelle Harris, Warburton's voice was to become his best asset. He's highly acclaimed for voicing one of the main supporting characters in Family Guy and has voiced Joe Swanson since 1999. But Warburton is also recognized for his small roles in Men in Black II and Get Smart.
Jerry Stiller (Frank): The King Of Queens
Jerry Stiller's acting career is one to admire, seeing as so many of his roles are memorable. Besides playing George's father, Frank Costanza, he also played another sitcom dad on The King of Queens - widowed father, Arthur Spooner, who lived with his daughter and her husband.
The role would become his second most recognized television character. During his career, Stiller would appear in many movies alongside his son, Ben Stiller. Many loved his role as the model agent Maury Ballstein in Zoolander. The sequel and television film became Stiller's last roles before his death in 2020.
Wayne Knight (Newman): Jurassic Park
Wayne Knight's character as Newman is just as an integral part of the sitcom as the main characters. Newman was Jerry's neighbor and local postman. He often liked to make Jerry's life difficult or vice versa and was Kramer's close friend. The actor who made the role so popular also had other famous roles on screen.
Knight played a supporting role in the hit movie Jurassic Park, as Dennis Nedry. Fans of 90s thrillers will also recall him from the movie, Basic Instinct, starring Michael Douglas. Since the end of the sitcom, Knight has gone to play various roles and even voice acted in Toy Story 2 and Legend of the Three Caballeros, to name just a few films.