Downcast Jerry Seinfeld steps out after death of co-star Hiram Kasten

Jerry Seinfeld looked downcast as he stepped out for dinner in Sydney on Monday following the death of his close friend and co-star Hiram Kasten.

The American comedian, 70, appeared somber as he left Italian restaurant Fratelli Paradiso in Potts Point, Sydney.

Jerry, who is in Australia for his stand-up comedy tour, cut a casual figure in blue jeans and a grey blazer for the evening outing.

He kept comfortable in a pair of white trainers and cut a low-profile in a navy baseball cap, completing his look with his signature glasses.

At one point, the beloved TV star put on a brave face as he smiled and waved at fans while leaving the restaurant.

His outing came one day after it was announced that his Seinfeld co-star and close friend Hiram died at the age of 71 following a battle with prostate cancer.

An obituary was posted Sunday on his Facebook, noting that he died in the arms of his wife Diana Kisiel Kastenbaum ‘only hours after their 38th wedding anniversary’.

Hiram battled multiple ailments such as prostate cancer and Crohn’s disease over the past seven years and died at his Batavia, New York home. 

He famously appeared on a trio of Seinfeld episodes from 1993 until 1994, portraying Michael, a work colleague of Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).

Hiram was a staple on the New York comedy circuit, and made regular appearances at The Comic Strip, where Jerry used to serve as a master of ceremonies (MC).

Jerry passed Hiram on his first audition and he became a regular, with the pair then striking up a close friendship that lasted for 45 years.

Hiram was also friends with notable names such as Michael Richards, Paul Reiser, Larry Miller and Mark Schiff.

His obituary told how he ‘loved show business and lived his dream of being in show business’ but ‘his most satisfying and greatest role though was as a family man’ to his wife Diana and daughter, Millicent Jade Kastenbaum.

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‘He loved being a dad to his beautiful and brilliant daughter,’ it read, adding that ‘her many achievements in her young life and in her career as an Assistant District Attorney have made him burst with pride and love’.

Hiram’s other TV appearances came on 90s sitcoms including Saved By the Bell, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Cybill, Mad About You and Everybody Loves Raymond.

In the early 2000s, he made appearances on shows including Curb Your Enthusiasm, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, My Wife and Kids, and 7th Heaven.

He was also a staple at comedy clubs in the 1970s and 1980s including The Improv, The Comedy Cellar, Caroline’s and Dangerfield’s.