Actor and comedian Hiram Kasten has died. He was 71 years old.
Born Hiram Z. Kastenbaum, Kasten was best known for his stand-up work and his roles in hit TV shows like Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Mad About You.
The actor had been battling multiple illnesses – including prostate cancer – over several years according to his wife Diane Kisiel Kastenbaum per Deadline.
He passed away just hours after their 38th wedding anniversary.
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Kasten got his start in the late ’70s when he decided to try stand-up comedy. He’d grown up in the Bronx, New York, with dreams of becoming an actor, but had little success in the theatre scene where he first began.
He soon found himself in Los Angeles where he became a regular at several comedy clubs, including The Comic Strip where none other than comedian Jerry Seinfeld was MC.
The pair soon became close friends, a relationship that would last more than four decades.
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Kasten worked the comedy scene well into the ’80s, and went on to have his own Sunday night show at comedy club, Dangerfield’s.
Eventually, he made the move to Los Angeles and transitioned from stand-up into acting.
His first role was in a pilot for CBS’ Dr. Paradise, and he later appeared as Elaine’s co-worker in Seinfeld.
Kasten’s resume soon began to fill up with guest starring roles in some of comedy’s biggest hits such as Mad About You, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Everybody Loves Raymond, 7th Heaven, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, My Wife and Kids and many more.
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Eventually, Kasten returned to his roots, leaving the set for the stage.
For almost two years he starred in The Rat Pack Is Back, a show performed at The Desert Inn in Las Vegas.
He later went back to stand-up, performing for years aboard luxury cruise ships as he travelled the world.
Kasten leaves behind his wife and one daughter.
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