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{{About|the comedian|the fictional main character of the television series ''Seinfeld''|Jerry Seinfeld (character)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}

{{Infobox comedian

| image = Jerry Seinfeld 2011 Shankbone.JPG

| caption = Seinfeld in 2011

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1954|4|29}}

| birth_place = [[Brooklyn]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.

| birth_name = Jerome Allen Seinfeld

| medium = [[Stand-up comedy|Stand-up]], [[television]], [[film]]

| active = 1976–present

| genre = [[Observational comedy]], [[black comedy]], [[political satire]]

| net_worth = {{gain}} $52 million (2014)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/profile/jerry-seinfeld/|title=jerry seinfeld pofile|publisher=Forbes.com|accessdate=2014-06-13}}</ref>

| subject = [[Culture of the United States|American culture]], [[Politics of the United States|American politics]], [[everyday life]], [[Sex differences in humans|gender differences]], [[human behavior]], [[Embarrassment|social awkwardness]], [[World news|current events]]

| spouse = {{marriage|[[Jessica Seinfeld]]|1999}}

| children = 3

| signature = Seinfeldsignature.svg

| website =

| footnotes =

}}

'''Jerome Allen''' "'''Jerry'''" '''Seinfeld''' (born April 29, 1954)<ref name=tvg>{{cite web | url= http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jerry-seinfeld/bio/156837| title=Jerry Seinfeld | publisher= [[TV Guide]]| accessdate= November 20, 2014| archivedate= June 21, 2013| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20130621051434/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jerry-seinfeld/bio/156837}}</ref><!--birth date appears in archived version only--> is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. He is known for playing [[Jerry Seinfeld (character)|a semifictional version of himself]] in the sitcom ''[[Seinfeld]]'', which he created and wrote with [[Larry David]]. Seinfeld was heavily involved in the ''[[Bee Movie]]'', in which he voiced its [[protagonist]]. In 2010, he premiered a reality series called ''[[The Marriage Ref (U.S. TV series)|The Marriage Ref]]''. He directed [[Colin Quinn]] in the Broadway show ''Long Story Short'' at the [[Helen Hayes Theater]], which ran until January 2011. He is the creator and host of the web series ''[[Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee]]''. In his stand-up comedy career, Seinfeld is known for specializing in [[observational comedy]], often ranting about relationships and embarrassing social situations.

In 2005, [[Comedy Central]] named Seinfeld their "12th Greatest Stand-up Comedian of All Time".<ref>{{cite web|author=Vera|url=http://www.listology.com/list/comedy-central-100-greatest-standups-all-time|title=In 2005, Comedy Central 100 Greatest Standups of all Time|date=May 19, 2005|publisher=listology.com|accessdate=October 16, 2012}}</ref>

==Early life==

Seinfeld was born in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York (state)|New York]].<ref name=NYTmagazine>{{cite news| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/23/magazine/jerry-seinfeld-intends-to-die-standing-up.html | title=Jerry Seinfeld Intends to Die Standing Up|first=Jonah| last= Weiner| date= December 20, 2012|work=[[The New York Times]] Magazine}}</ref> His father Kalmen Seinfeld collected jokes he heard while serving in [[World War II]].<ref name=NYTmagazine /> His mother, Betty (née Hosni;<ref>She also used the last name Hesney, per Cowan, ''The New York Times''.</ref> born 1914),<ref>{{cite book| title=Seinfeld: The Making of an American Icon |first=Jerry |last=Oppenheimer| publisher=Harper|year= 2002| isbn=978-0060188726}} '''page number=??'''</ref> is of Syrian-Jewish descent; her parents Selim and Salha Hosni<ref name=backstory>{{cite web|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/seinfelds-back-story-about-something/|title=Seinfeld's Back Story, About Something|work=The New York Times| first=Alison Leigh|last=Cowan|date= April 23, 2009| quote= Kalmen Seinfeld died in 1985 in Florida.... The death certificate noted that he worked in the sign business and was survived by his wife, the former Betty Hesney.}}</ref> were from [[Aleppo]].<ref name="nytimes.com">{{Cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/nyregion/24records.html | work=The New York Times | title=The Paper Trail of Jerry Seinfeld Leads Back to Ellis Island and Beyond | date=April 24, 2009}} Her family identified their nationality as [[Turkish people|Turkish]] when they emigrated to the United States in 1917.</ref> Seinfeld grew up in [[Massapequa, New York|Massapequa]], New York, and attended [[Massapequa High School]] on [[Long Island]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Kornfeld | first = Michael | url =https://www.nytimes.com/specials/seinfeld/sein89.html | title =A Single Comedian Is Returning to His Roots| work = [[The New York Times]] | date = July 23, 1989 | accessdate= March 6, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Kellerman | first = Vivien <!--as spelled, with e, not a--> | url =https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/28/realestate/if-you-re-thinking-of-living-in-massapequa-park-li-fine-schools-famous-alumni.html| title =If You're Thinking of Living In/Massapequa Park, L.I.;Fine Schools, Famous Alumni | work = The New York Times | date = July 28, 1996 | accessdate= November 20, 2014}}</ref> At the age of 16, he spent time [[Kibbutz volunteer|volunteering]] in [[Kibbutz]] [[Sa'ar]] in Israel.<ref name="haaretz">{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/927462.html|title=American Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld in Israel to promote new movie|agency=[[Associated Press]]| via=''[[Haaretz]]''|accessdate=May 10, 2009| archivedate=February 15, 2009 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215185638/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/927462.html }}</ref>

He later attended [[State University of New York at Oswego]], transferring after his second year to [[Queens College, City University of New York]], graduating with a degree in communications and theater.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/07/jerry_seinfeld_syracuse_landmark_suny_oswego.html| title=Jerry Seinfeld talks SUNY Oswego, Pop-Tarts, marriage, more during Syracuse performance| publisher=Syracuse.com| location= Syracuse, New York| first= Geoff | last= Herbert|date=July 19, 2013 |accessdate= February 7, 2017| archivedate= February 7, 2016| archiveurl =http://archive.is/2hGC1| deadurl=no}}</ref><!--Syracuse.com unable to be archived at Wayback Machine or Webcitation--><ref name=biography.com>{{cite web| url=http://www.biography.com/people/jerry-seinfeld-9542107| title=Jerry Seinfeld Biography" Film Actor, Screenwriter, Television Actor, Comedian, Television Producer (1954–)| publisher=[[Biography.com]] ([[FYI (TV network)|FYI]] / [[A&E Networks]]) | accessdate= February 7, 2017| archivedate=January 5, 2017| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170105123011/http://www.biography.com/people/jerry-seinfeld-9542107#synopsis|deadurl=no}}</ref>

==Career==

===Early career===

Seinfeld developed an interest in standup comedy after brief stints in college productions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://israeliculture.about.com/culture/israeliculture/library/weekly/aa042098.htm|title=Seinfeld's Kibbutz Days|publisher=Israeli Culture|accessdate=May 10, 2009|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010223215641/http://israeliculture.about.com/culture/israeliculture/library/weekly/aa042098.htm|archivedate=February 23, 2001}}</ref> In 1976, after graduation from Queens College, he tried out at an open-microphone night at New York City's [[Catch a Rising Star (comedy clubs)|Catch a Rising Star]], which led to an appearance in a [[Rodney Dangerfield]] [[HBO]] special.<ref name="bio">{{Cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/person/64376/Jerry-Seinfeld/biography|title=Jerry Seinfeld |work= = [[The New York Times]] |accessdate=July 18, 2010}}</ref>

Seinfeld appeared on open mic nights at Budd Friedman's Improv Club while attending Queens College.

In 1979 he had a small recurring role on the sitcom ''[[Benson (TV series)|Benson]]'', playing Frankie, a mail delivery boy who had comedy routines that no one wanted to hear. However, Seinfeld was abruptly fired from the show due to creative differences.<ref name="bio" /> Seinfeld has said that he was not actually told he had been fired until he turned up for the read-through session for an episode, and found that there was no script for him.<ref>Interview in "How It Began," a special feature in the Seinfeld Season 1 & 2 DVD</ref>

In May 1981, Seinfeld made a successful appearance on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson]]'', impressing [[Johnny Carson|Carson]] and the audience and leading to frequent appearances on that show and others, including ''[[Late Night with David Letterman]]''.<ref name="bio" />

===''Seinfeld''===

{{Main article|Seinfeld}}

[[File:Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus 1997.jpg|thumb|Seinfeld with [[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]] at the 1997 Emmy Awards]]

Seinfeld created ''The Seinfeld Chronicles'' with [[Larry David]] in 1988 for [[NBC]]. The show was later renamed ''[[Seinfeld]]'' to avoid confusion with the short-lived teen sitcom ''[[The Marshall Chronicles]]''. By its fourth season, it had become the most popular and successful sitcom on American television. The final episode aired in 1998, and the show has been a popular [[Television syndication|syndicated]] re-run.

Along with Seinfeld, the show starred ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' veteran [[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]] and experienced actors [[Michael Richards]] and [[Jason Alexander]]. Alexander played George, a [[Larry David|caricature of Larry David]]. Seinfeld holds the distinction of being the only actor to appear in every episode of the show.<ref>Jason Alexander did not appear in "[[The Pen]]"; Julia Louis-Dreyfus did not appear in [[The Seinfeld Chronicles|the pilot]], "[[The Trip, Part 1]]", or "[[The Trip, Part 2]]"; and Michael Richards did not appear in "[[The Chinese Restaurant]]" or "The Pen".</ref>

Seinfeld has said that his show was influenced by the 1950s sitcom ''[[The Abbott and Costello Show]]''. In the "Seinfeld Season 6" DVD set, commenting on the episode "[[The Gymnast]]", Seinfeld cited [[Jean Shepherd]] as an influence, saying, "He really formed my entire comedic sensibility—I learned how to do comedy from Jean Shepherd."

From 2004 to 2007, the former ''Seinfeld'' cast and crew recorded audio commentaries for episodes of the DVD releases of the show. Seinfeld himself provided commentary for multiple episodes.

===Post-''Seinfeld''===

{{BLP sources section| date= January 2013}}

After he ended his sitcom, Seinfeld returned to [[New York City]] to make a comeback with his [[stand-up comedy]] rather than stay in [[Los Angeles]] and continue his acting career. In 1998 he went on tour and recorded a comedy special, entitled ''[[I'm Telling You for the Last Time]]''. The process of developing and performing new material at clubs around the world was chronicled in a 2002 documentary, ''[[Comedian (film)|Comedian]]'', which also featured fellow comic [[Orny Adams]] and was directed by Christian Charles. Seinfeld has written several books, mostly archives of past routines.

In the late 1990s, [[Apple Computer]] came up with the advertising slogan "[[Think different]]" and produced a 60-second commercial to promote the slogan. This commercial showed people who were able to "think differently", such as [[Albert Einstein]], [[Mahatma Gandhi]], [[Martin Luther King, Jr.]], and many others. It was later cut short to 30 seconds and altered such that Seinfeld was included at the end, whereas he had not been in the original cut. This shorter version of the commercial aired only once, during the [[The Finale (Seinfeld)|series finale]] of ''Seinfeld''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theapplecollection.com/Collection/AppleMovies/mov/jerrysteinfield.mov |title=Seinfeld's commercial |accessdate=August 22, 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Jerry Seinfeld (1997).jpg|thumb|upright|right|Seinfeld at the 1997 Emmy Awards]]

In 2004 Seinfeld also appeared in two commercial [[webisode]]s promoting [[American Express]], titled ''[[The Adventures of Seinfeld & Superman]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/30/business/media-business-advertising-seinfeld-superman-join-forces-again-spots-for.html? |title=Seinfeld and Superman join forces again in spots for American Express, this time on the Web. |last=Elliott |first=Stuart |publisher=New York Times |date=30 March 2004 |accessdate=19 March 2016}}</ref> In these, Seinfeld appeared with a cartoon rendering of [[Superman]], who was referenced in numerous episodes of ''Seinfeld'' as Seinfeld's hero, voiced by [[Patrick Warburton]] (character [[David Puddy]] on ''Seinfeld''). The webisodes were directed by [[Barry Levinson]] and aired briefly on television. Seinfeld and "Superman" were also interviewed by [[Matt Lauer]] in a specially recorded interview for the ''[[Today (NBC program)|Today]]'' show.

On November 18, 2004, Seinfeld appeared at the [[National Museum of American History]] to donate the "Puffy Shirt" he wore in the famous ''Seinfeld'' episode [[The Puffy Shirt (Seinfeld episode)|of the same name]]. He also gave a speech when presenting the "Puffy Shirt", saying humorously that "This is the most embarrassing moment of my life."

On May 13, 2006, Seinfeld had a cameo appearance on ''Saturday Night Live'' as host Julia Louis-Dreyfus' assassin. Louis-Dreyfus in her opening monologue mentioned the "Seinfeld curse". While talking about how ridiculous the "curse" was, a [[Stage lighting instrument|stage light]] suddenly fell next to her. The camera moved to a [[Catwalk (theater)|catwalk]] above the stage where Seinfeld was standing, holding a large pair of bolt cutters. He angrily muttered, "Damn it!" upset that it did not hit her. Louis-Dreyfus then continued to say that she is indeed not cursed.

On February 25, 2007, Seinfeld appeared at the [[79th Academy Awards]] as the presenter for "Best Documentary". Before announcing the nominations, he did a short stand-up comedy routine about the unspoken agreement between movie theater owners and movie patrons. ("In movie theaters now, they’re trying to get you to pick up the garbage around your seat. I’m picking nothing up. I’m the one who threw it down. How many different jobs do I have to do?”)<ref>{{cite web |url= http://deadline.com/2007/02/jerry-seinfeld-auditioning-for-80th-oscars-1493/ |last=Finke |first=Nikki |title=Seinfeld Auditioning To Host 80th Oscars? |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=26 February 2007 |accessdate=19 March 2016}}</ref>

On October 4, 2007, Seinfeld made a brief return to NBC, guest-starring as himself in the ''[[30 Rock]]'' episode "[[SeinfeldVision]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=22046 |title=Seinfeld to Guest Star on 30 Rock |publisher=ComingSoon.net |date=July 16, 2007 |accessdate=August 22, 2011}}</ref>

On February 24, 2008, at the [[80th Academy Awards]], Seinfeld appeared as the [[Voice acting|voice]] of his ''Bee Movie'' animated character Barry, presenting "Best Animated Short". Before announcing the nominees, he showed a montage of film clips featuring bees, saying that they were some of his early work (as Barry).

On June 2, 2008, amidst his spring 2008 tour, Seinfeld performed in his hometown of [[New York City]] for a one-night-only show at the [[Hammerstein Ballroom]] to benefit ''Stand Up for a Cure'', a charity aiding [[lung cancer]] research at [[Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center]].

In August 2008, the [[Associated Press]] reported that Jerry Seinfeld would be the pitchman for [[Windows Vista]], as part of a $300-million advertising campaign by Microsoft. The ads, which were intended to create buzz for Windows in support of the subsequent "I'm a PC" advertisements, began airing in mid-September 2008. They were cut from television after just three installments; Microsoft opted to continue with the "I'm a PC" advertisements<ref>{{cite news|last=Coyle|first=Jake|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Aug21/0,4670,MicrosoftSeinfeld,00.html|title=Seinfeld to be pitchman for Microsoft|date=August 21, 2008|publisher=foxnews.com|accessdate=October 16, 2012}}</ref> and run the Seinfeld ads on the Microsoft website as a series of longer advertisements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/watchtheads/video/newfamily/ |title=Microsoft Showcase: Watch videos from Microsoft's online video collection |publisher=Microsoft |accessdate=August 22, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823054859/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/watchtheads/video/newfamily/ |archivedate=August 23, 2009 }}</ref>

In March 2009, it was announced that Seinfeld and the entire cast of ''Seinfeld'' would be appearing for a reunion in Larry David's HBO series ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]''. The fictional reunion took place in the [[Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 7|seventh season's]] [[Seinfeld (Curb Your Enthusiasm)|finale]].

Seinfeld appeared on an episode of the [[Starz (TV channel)|Starz]] original series ''[[Head Case (TV series)|Head Case]]''. As was the case in many of his previous guest appearances on sitcoms, he played himself.

In [[Australia]], Seinfeld appeared on a series of advertisements for the [[Greater Building Society]], a [[building society]] based in [[New South Wales]] and southeastern [[Queensland]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Jerry Seinfeld joins the Greater |work=Greater Building Society |date=July 9, 2008 |url=http://www.greater.com.au |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810061600/https://www.greater.com.au/ |archivedate=August 10, 2015 }}</ref> His appearance in these ads was highly publicized and considered a coup for the society, being only the third time Seinfeld had appeared in a television commercial.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jerry Seinfeld films advertisement for Newcastle's Greater Building Society |work=Daily Telegraph |date=July 10, 2009 |url=http://www.news.com.au/business/money/story/0,28323,25759196-5013952,00.html }}{{dead link|date=February 2017}}</ref> The advertisements were filmed in Cedarhurst, [[Long Island]], with the street designed to emulate Beaumont Street in [[Hamilton, New South Wales|Hamilton]], where the Greater's head offices are located.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Greater website has exclusive behind the scenes footage from the commercials starring Jerry Seinfeld |work=Greater Building Society |date=July 13, 2009 |url=http://www.greater.com.au |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810061600/https://www.greater.com.au/ |archivedate=August 10, 2015 }}</ref> Seinfeld also wrote the scripts for the 15 advertisements that were filmed. The ads largely aired in the Northern New South Wales television market, where the society has most of its branches.

Seinfeld was the first guest on Jay Leno's talk show, ''[[The Jay Leno Show]]'', which premiered on September 14, 2009.

Seinfeld was featured on ''Saturday Night Live's'' [[Weekend Update]] sketch to do the "Really!?!" segment with [[Seth Meyers]]. He executive produced and occasionally starred as a panelist in ''[[The Marriage Ref (U.S. TV series)|The Marriage Ref]]''. On August 30, 2010, Seinfeld made a notable surprise guest appearance on ''[[The Howard Stern Show]]'', mending the feud the two had in the early '90s.

Seinfeld toured the U.S. in 2011 and made his first stand-up appearance in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] in 13 years. In July 2011, he was a surprise guest on ''[[The Daily Show]]'', helping [[Jon Stewart]] to suppress his urge to tell "cheap" "Michele Bachmann's husband acts gay" jokes.<ref>{{cite episode |series=The Daily Show |airdate=July 13, 2010|url=http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-july-13-2011/comedy-repression-therapy|title=Matthew Richardson}}</ref> Seinfeld also launched a personal archives website at JerrySeinfeld.com and appeared in the HBO special ''Talking Funny'' with fellow comedians [[Chris Rock]], [[Louis C.K.]], and [[Ricky Gervais]] in the same year.

In 2012 Seinfeld started a Web series, ''[[Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee]]'', in which he would pick up a fellow comedian in a different car each episode and take him or her out for coffee and conversation. The initial series consisted of ten 7- to 25-minute episodes. Season 2 (2013) had six episodes, with guests including [[Don Rickles]] and [[David Letterman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com/ |title=Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee website |publisher=Comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com |accessdate=2014-07-19}}</ref>

In 2013 Seinfeld was nominated for a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for the series.<ref>{{cite web|title=65th Primetime Emmys: Complete List of Nominations|url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2013/special-class-short-form-nonfiction|publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]]|date=July 18, 2013|accessdate=Dec 31, 2013}}</ref> When criticized in early 2014 for the lack of women and non-white comedians in the series, he responded, "Who cares? ... You're funny, I'm interested. You're not funny, I'm not."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vulture.com/2014/02/seinfeld-on-diversity-in-comedy-who-cares.html|title=Jerry Seinfeld on Diversity in Comedy: 'Who Cares?'|date=February 9, 2014|first=Halle|last=Kiefer|work=New York|accessdate=April 6, 2014}}</ref>

In 2013 Seinfeld was reportedly working with rapper [[Wale (rapper)|Wale]] on his fourth studio album, ''The Album About Nothing''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22580/title.wale-reportedly-working-with-jerry-seinfeld-on-the-album-about-nothing- |title=Wale Reportedly Working With Jerry Seinfeld On "The Album About Nothing |publisher=HipHop DX |date=2013-01-18 |accessdate=2014-01-07}}</ref> In June 2013, he appeared on rapper Wale's album ''[[The Gifted]]'', on the song "Outro About Nothing".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-gifted/id647928009 |title=iTunes - Music - The Gifted by Wale |publisher=Itunes.apple.com |date=2013-06-25 |accessdate=2014-01-07}}</ref>

During a January 2014 interview, on the "[[Boomer and Carton]]" show on radio station WFAN, Seinfeld revealed that a ''Seinfeld'' project was in development, in which Alexander will play George Costanza alongside other ''Seinfeld'' characters. Rumors of a potential reunion were triggered by a photograph that appeared on Twitter, in which Seinfeld and Alexander are walking into "Tom's Restaurant", the famous diner from the ''Seinfeld'' series.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jerry Seinfeld Confirms ‘Seinfeld’ Reunion of Sorts|url=http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/jerry-seinfeld-reunion-1201077934/|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media, LLC.|accessdate=January 31, 2014|author=Daniel Goldblatt|date=January 30, 2014}}</ref>

Seinfeld received coverage for his speech at the 2014 [[Clio Awards]] ceremony, where he received an honorary award, as media reporters said that he "mocked" and "ripped apart" the advertising industry; his statement of "I love advertising because I love lying" received particular attention.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Ryan Grenoble|title=Seinfeld's Advertising Award Acceptance Speech Mercilessly Mocks Ad Execs|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/03/seinfeld-clio-speech-advertising-award_n_5929388.html|accessdate=October 12, 2014|work=Huffington Post|date=October 6, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Zachary M. Seward|title=Jerry Seinfeld ripped apart the advertising industry on its biggest night|url=http://qz.com/276396/jerry-seinfeld-ripped-apart-the-advertising-industry-on-its-biggest-night/|accessdate=October 12, 2014|work=Quartz|date=October 5, 2014}}</ref>

On February 15, 2015, Seinfeld made a special appearance as a presenter on "SNL 40," the 40th anniversary special of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-jzbKRi7Qc "Audience Q&A - SNL 40th Anniversary Special"], ''Saturday Night Live''</ref>

In January 2017, it was announced that Seinfeld had signed an exclusive comedy deal with [[Netflix]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewrap.com/jerry-seinfeld-netflix-comedians-cars/|title=Netflix Nabs ‘Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,’ 2 New Jerry Seinfeld Stand-Up Specials|website=[[The Wrap]]|first=Tony|last=Maglio|date=January 17, 2017|accessdate=January 17, 2017}}</ref> As part of the deal, all episodes of ''Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee'' would be made available on the streaming service, in addition to a new twenty four episode season.<ref name="netflix">{{cite web|url=http://deadline.com/2017/01/comedians-in-cars-getting-coffee-move-netflix-crackle-jerry-seinfeld-deal-standup-specials-series-1201888377/|title=Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee’ Moves To Netflix As Part Of Big Jerry Seinfeld Deal That Includes Specials & Series|website=[[Deadline.com]]|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=January 17, 2017|accessdate=January 17, 2017}}</ref> Furthermore, the deal also included two new Seinfeld stand-up specials and the development of scripted and non-scripted comedy programming for Netflix.<ref name="netflix"/>

===Books===

Seinfeld wrote the book ''[[Seinlanguage]]'', released in 1993. Written as his television show was first rising in popularity, it is primarily an adaptation of the comedian's stand-up material. The title comes from an article in ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' listing the numerous catch-phrases for which the show was responsible.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,306170,00.html|title=Seinlanguage|work=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 9, 1993|accessdate=Dec 31, 2013|author=Fretts, Bruce}}</ref>

In 2002 he wrote the [[children's literature|children's book]] ''[[Halloween (children's book)|Halloween]]''. The book was illustrated by James Bennett.<ref>{{cite book| title=Halloween |author=Jerry Seinfeld |others=(Illustrated by James Bennett)}}</ref>

Seinfeld wrote the forewords to [[Ted L. Nancy]]'s ''Letters from a Nut'' series of books and [[Ed Broth]]'s ''Stories from a Moron''.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-04-27-seinfeld_x.htm?POE=LIFISVA | work=USA Today | title=Seinfeld stirs up publicity | first1=Susan | last1=Wloszczyna | date=April 28, 2005 | accessdate=May 6, 2010}}</ref> Seinfeld also wrote the foreword to the ''[[Peanut Butter & Co.]] Cookbook''.

==Influences==

Seinfeld has cited as his influences the humorist [[Jean Shepherd]],<ref>{{YouTube|itWxXyCfW5s}}</ref> and the comedians [[Bill Cosby]],<ref>{{Cite video| people = Seinfeld, Jerry| url = http://video.pbs.org/video/1317746583/| title = The 12th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor| medium = TV| publisher =[[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]]| location = |date = November 4, 2009}}</ref> [[George Carlin]],<ref name=hbo>{{Cite video| people = Seinfeld, Jerry| title = Jerry Seinfeld: The Comedian Award| medium = TV| publisher =[[HBO]]| location = |date = April 1, 2007}}</ref> [[Jay Leno]],<ref>{{Cite video| people = Seinfeld, Jerry| url = http://www.blogtalkradio.com/robin-milling/2010/09/29/milling-about-flashback-with-jerry-seinfeld| title = Milling About Flashback with Jerry Seinfeld| time = approx. 7:00 | medium = Radio| publisher =[[BlogTalkRadio]] | location = |date = September 29, 2010}}</ref> [[Robert Klein]],<ref name=hbo/> and [[Abbott and Costello]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,304661,00.html|title=TV Review: Abbott & Costello Meet Jerry Seinfeld | work = [[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=November 25, 1994|author=Tucker, Ken|accessdate=November 15, 2009}}</ref> and the actor [[Ricardo Montalban]].<ref>{{Cite video| people = Seinfeld, Jerry| title = [[Seinfeld (season 6)|Seinfeld, Season 6]], "The Gymnast"| medium = DVD commentary| publisher =[[NBC]]| location = |date = November 22, 2005}}</ref> Performers and producers influenced by Seinfeld include [[Judd Apatow]],<ref name="WEINER, JONAH">{{Cite news| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/23/magazine/jerry-seinfeld-intends-to-die-standing-up.html?pagewanted=all | title = Jerry Seinfeld Intends to Die Standing Up| work=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 20, 2012|author=Weiner, Jonah|accessdate=February 25, 2013}}</ref> [[Kevin Hart]],<ref name="WEINER, JONAH"/> and [[Dennis Miller]].<ref>{{cite interview |last= Miller |first= Dennis |interviewer= Dennis Miller |title= The Dennis Miller Show |url=http://www.dennismillerradio.com |date= 2014-02-05 }}</ref>

==Personal life==

[[File:Jessica Seinfeld Jerry Seinfeld Shankbone 2010.jpg|thumb|Jessica and Jerry Seinfeld in 2010]]

Years before ''Seinfeld'' was created, Seinfeld dated [[Carol Leifer]],<ref>{{cite book |title=Jerry Seinfeld: Much Ado About Nothing |last=Levine |first=Josh |year=1993 |publisher=[[ECW Press]] |isbn=1550222015 |page=77|url=https://books.google.com/?id=UQlKvbbV3RgC&pg=PA77}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/10/15/comedian-secrets-revealed-behind-scenes-stories-jerry-seinfeld-ray-romano-and/|title=Comedian Secrets Revealed! Behind-the-scenes stories of Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Romano, and more before they were stars|date=October 15, 2012|publisher=foxnews.com|accessdate=October 16, 2012}}</ref> a fellow comedian and one of the inspirations for the ''Seinfeld'' character of Elaine.<ref>{{cite book |title=Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Good: Larry David and the Making of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm |last=Levine |first=Josh |year=2010 |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=1550229478 |page=19 |url=https://books.google.com/?id=M468S1IekbkC&pg=PT19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1107357|title=Comedienne CAROL LEIFER ("Leefer")|date=December 15, 1993|publisher=npr.org|accessdate=October 16, 2012}}</ref> On national TV with Dr. Ruth Westheimer, he explained how, in 1984, he was engaged but called it off.<ref>{{cite av media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmAx5oRjhSY|title=Jerry Seinfeld and Dr. Ruth talk sex - 1986|date=August 6, 2011|publisher=|via=YouTube}}</ref> When he was in his late 30s, Seinfeld began a four-year romantic relationship with then-17-year-old high school student [[Shoshanna Lonstein]].<ref name="BIC">"Shoshanna Lonstein." Biography in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Gale Biography In Context. Web. Feb 10. 2011.</ref>

In August 1998, Seinfeld met [[Jessica Seinfeld|Jessica Sklar]] at the Reebok Sports Club and they began dating. Sklar, a [[public relations]] executive for [[Tommy Hilfiger]], had just returned from a three-week honeymoon in [[Italy]] with Eric Nederlander, a theatrical producer and scion of a [[Nederlander Organization|theater-owning family]]. Sklar divorced Nederlander—she explained in a 2007 interview that they had been engaged in couples therapy sessions prior to their marriage—and married Seinfeld on December 25, 1999.<ref>{{cite news|title=How I Met Jerry Seinfeld, Scene 1, Take 2|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/fashion/04seinfeld.html?pagewanted=all |accessdate=January 31, 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 4, 2007|author=Allen Salkin}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NEWS/ Jerry Seinfeld: Married Man!|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/39179/jerry-seinfeld-married-man|work=E!|publisher=E! Entertainment Television, LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2014|author=Bridget Byrne|date=December 25, 1999}}</ref> Comedian [[George Wallace (comedian)|George Wallace]] was the best man at the wedding.<ref>{{cite news|title=VegasBeat — Columnist Timothy McDarrah: Seinfeld will stand, by George|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2004/jan/16/vegasbeat----columnist-timothy-mcdarrah-seinfeld-w/|accessdate=January 31, 2014|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|date=17–18 January 2004|author=Timothy McDarrah}}</ref>

After the nuptials, Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld bought [[Billy Joel]]'s house in [[Amagansett, New York|Amagansett]], [[Long Island]], for US$32 million after news of the couple's interest in the property became public in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Inside Jerry Seinfeld's 'Laid-Back,' $32M Hamptons Mansion|url=http://homes.yahoo.com/news/inside-jerry-seinfelds-laid-back-32m-hamptons-mansion-160005099.html|work=Yahoo! Homes|publisher=Yahoo!, Inc|accessdate=January 31, 2014|author=Amy Schellenbaum|date=October 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Billy Joel's East Hampton $40 Million Home To Seinfeld|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-03-03/news/0003040157_1_guest-house-buying-bruce-wasserstein|accessdate=January 31, 2014|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=March 3, 2000}}</ref>

The Seinfelds have one daughter and two sons. Their daughter Sascha was born on November 7, 2000;<ref>{{cite web|last=Silverman |first=Stephen M. |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,618638,00.html |title=Seinfeld: And Baby Makes Three – Jerry Seinfeld |publisher=People.com |date=July 3, 1998 |accessdate=August 22, 2011}}</ref> their first son Julian Kal was born on March 1, 2003;<ref>{{cite web|last=Silverman |first=Stephen M. |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,625617,00.html |title=Jerry Seinfeld's a Daddy Once More – Jerry Seinfeld |publisher=People.com |date=March 3, 2003 |accessdate=August 22, 2011}}</ref> and their second son Shepherd Kellen was born on August 22, 2005—all in New York City.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/people/a-boy-for-jerry/2005/08/26/1124563009721.html | location=Melbourne | work=The Age | title=A boy for Jerry | date=August 26, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Peterson |first=Todd |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1098099,00.html |title=Jerry Seinfeld & Wife Welcome Third Child – Birth, Jerry Seinfeld |publisher=People.com |date=August 25, 2005 |accessdate=August 22, 2011}}</ref> Julian's middle name, Kal, is the first name of Seinfeld's father and also the first name of Seinfeld's hero [[Superman|Superman, aka Kal-El]].

Among Seinfeld's best friends are fellow comedians [[George Wallace (comedian)|George Wallace]], [[Larry Miller (actor)|Larry Miller]], and [[Mario Joyner]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1665827,00.html |title=Jerry Seinfeld Goes Back to Work|last=Cagle|first=Jess|date=September 26, 2007|work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|accessdate=October 2, 2010}}</ref>

In 2000, Jessica Seinfeld launched Baby Buggy, a charity that provides clothing and gear for underprivileged women and children. She is also the author of the best-seller ''Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food'', released by [[HarperCollins]] in October 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061251344/Deceptively_Delicious/index.aspx |title=Deceptively Simple |publisher=Harpercollins.com |date=March 24, 2010 |accessdate=August 22, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414005333/http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061251344/Deceptively_Delicious/index.aspx |archivedate=April 14, 2010 }}</ref>

Seinfeld has made several political contributions, including [[George W. Bush]]'s and [[Al Gore]]'s presidential campaigns in [[United States presidential election, 2000|2000]], and subsequently to four [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] primary candidates in 2000 and [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004]].<ref>[http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Jerry_Seinfeld.php "Jerry Seinfeld's Federal Campaign Contribution Report"], ''Newsmeat&nbsp;— America's most popular campaign donor search engine''. Accessed May 10, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010151510/http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Jerry_Seinfeld.php |date=October 10, 2013 }}</ref>

Seinfeld stated that he dabbled in [[Scientology]] during his 20s,<ref name="msnbc">{{cite web|url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21535797/ns/today-entertainment/t/seinfeld-admits-he-dabbled-scientology/|title=Seinfeld admits he dabbled in Scientology|work=TODAY.com}}</ref> although he says he was never in the organization.<ref name="Levine1993">{{cite book|author=Josh Levine|title=Jerry Seinfeld: Much Ado About Nothing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UQlKvbbV3RgC&pg=PA19|date=October 1, 1993|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=978-1-55022-201-2|pages=19–20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| last =Shales | first =Tom | title =Seinfeld, a Stand-Up Kind of Guy; The Star of NBC's Hip, Hot Half-Hour, on Comedy With a Heart of Darkness | work = [[The Washington Post]] | publisher = [[The Washington Post Company]] | page = B1 | date = April 22, 1992 }}</ref> The association came to light in 1992.<ref name="Levine1993"/>

A fan of the [[New York Mets]], Seinfeld periodically calls [[Steve Somers]]' show on [[WFAN]]-AM, a [[sports talk radio]] station, as "Jerry from Queens".<ref>{{cite news|title=Mets Seinfeld And The Schmoozer: ‘Jerry From Queens’ Talks Mets Magic On WFAN|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/06/05/seinfeld-and-the-schmoozer-jerry-from-queens-talks-mets-magic-on-wfan/|accessdate=January 31, 2014|newspaper=CBS Local|date=June 5, 2012}}</ref> Seinfeld called four innings of a Mets game on [[SportsNet New York]] on June 23, 2010, reuniting with analyst [[Keith Hernandez]], who appeared in the ''Seinfeld'' two-part episode, "[[The Boyfriend (Seinfeld)|The Boyfriend]]".<ref>{{cite web|author=Jesse Sanchez&nbsp;/&nbsp;MLB.com |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100618&content_id=11310026&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Seinfeld to grace Mets booth Wednesday &#124; MLB.com: News |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |accessdate=August 22, 2011}}</ref>

In December 2012, Seinfeld said that he had been practicing [[Transcendental Meditation technique|Transcendental Meditation]] (TM) for 40 years. He promoted the use of the technique in the treatment of [[post-traumatic stress disorder]] with Bob Roth of the [[David Lynch Foundation]] in December 2012 on the ''Good Morning America'' television show,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bienfaits-meditation.com/en/david_lynch_foundation/abcnews_jerry_seinfeld |title=Jerry Seinfeld on Importance of Meditation for PTSD |publisher=abcNEWS.com |date=December 13, 2012 |accessdate=2007-03-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907043744/http://www.bienfaits-meditation.com/en/david_lynch_foundation/abcnews_jerry_seinfeld |archivedate=September 7, 2013 }}</ref> and also appeared at a 2009 David Lynch Foundation benefit for TM, at which former [[The Beatles|Beatles]] [[Paul McCartney]] and [[Ringo Starr]] appeared.<ref>{{cite web|title=At Radio City, Paul and Ringo together again|url=http://www.popmatters.com/article/72736-at-radio-city-paul-and-ringo-together-again/|work=PopMatters|publisher=PopMatters Media, Inc|accessdate=January 31, 2014|author=Glenn Gamboa|date=April 6, 2009}}</ref>

In November 2014, Seinfeld said he suspected he was on the [[autism spectrum]], citing difficulties with social engagement and reading body language.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/brian-williams-goes-behind-scenes-jerry-seinfeld-n243166|title=Brian Williams Goes Behind the Scenes With Jerry Seinfeld|work=NBC News}}</ref> Almost two weeks later, he told ''[[Access Hollywood]]'', "I don't have autism. I'm not on the spectrum. I was just watching this play about it and … I related to it on some level."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/jerry-seinfeld-explains-autism-comments_video_2478937|title=Jerry Seinfeld Explains Autism Comments|work=Access Hollywood}}</ref>

On November 5, 2015, the [[David Lynch Foundation]] organised another benefit concert at New York City's [[Carnegie Hall]] called "Change Begins Within" to promote [[transcendental meditation]] for stress control. "It's been the greatest companion technique of living that I've ever come across, and I'm thrilled to be part of this movement that seems to have really been reinvigorated by Bob [Roth] and David Lynch," Seinfeld said. "I would do anything that I could to promote it in the world, because I think it's the greatest thing as a life tool, as a work tool and just making things make sense." <ref>{{cite news |last= Grow |first= Kory |date= |title= Katy Perry, Sting Stun at David Lynch's Meditation Benefit Concert - Jerry Seinfeld, Angelique Kidjo, Jim James and others also perform and explain relaxation technique's importance to them at New York's Carnegie Hall |url= http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/katy-perry-sting-stun-at-david-lynchs-meditation-benefit-concert-20151105 |newspaper= Rolling Stone Magazine |location= |archive-url= http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/katy-perry-sting-stun-at-david-lynchs-meditation-benefit-concert-20151105 |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |access-date= November 14, 2015 }}</ref>

===Wealth===

According to ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine, Seinfeld's annual earning from ''Seinfeld'' in 2004 was $267 million, placing him at the top of the celebrity "money rank" that year.<ref>{{Cite news|url= http://www.forbes.com/lists/home.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=1999&passListType=Person |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100116135244/http://www.forbes.com/lists/home.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=1999&passListType=Person |archivedate= 2010-01-16 |title= ''Forbes'' list |accessdate =December 18, 2007}}</ref> He reportedly turned down $5 million per episode, for 22 episodes, to continue the show for a tenth season.<ref>{{Cite news|url= http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9712/26/seinfeld/|title= CNN- Seinfeld to end show |publisher= CNN|date= December 26, 1997|accessdate =December 18, 2007}}</ref>

Seinfeld earned $100 million from syndication deals and stand-up performances in 2005 and $60 million in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/53/Compen_Salary.html |title=The Celebrity 100 |publisher=Forbes.com |accessdate=February 5, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/53/07celebrities_The-Celebrity-100_EarningsPrevYear.html | work=Forbes | title=The Celebrity 100 - Forbes.com | date=June 14, 2007}}</ref> He also earned $10 million for appearing with [[Bill Gates]] in Microsoft's 2008 advertisements for Windows.<ref>''TV Guide,'' September 7, 2008.</ref>

Between June 2008 and June 2009, Seinfeld earned $85 million, making him the world's highest-paid comedian during that 12-month period.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/13/top-earning-comedians-business-entertainment-top-earning-comedians.html | work=Forbes | first=Lacey | last=Rose | title=The Top-Earning Comedians | date=July 13, 2009}}</ref> In 2013, ''Forbes'' documented Seinfeld's annual income as $32 million.<ref name="Jerry Seinfeld annual income Forbes">{{cite web|title=Jerry Seinfeld annual income Forbes|url=http://www.forbes.com/profile/jerry-seinfeld/|publisher=Forbes|accessdate=September 16, 2013}}</ref> In mid-2013, Seinfeld disputed ''Forbes''' claims regarding his income and net worth on the radio show of Howard Stern.<ref name="Stern">{{cite AV media |people= Stern, Howard |year= 2013 |title= Jerry Seinfeld on The Howard Stern Show 6-26-13|trans_title= |medium= Radio |language= |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcBnicKhZL8&feature=youtu.be&t=1h11m5s |accessdate= November 22, 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate= |time= |publisher= |location= |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= |ref= }}</ref>

Seinfeld was listed number 1 in the [[Forbes]] Highest-Paid Comedians for 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title = The Highest-Paid Comedians 2015|url = http://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2015/10/21/the-worlds-highest-paid-comedians-2015/|website = Forbes|accessdate = 2015-10-22}}</ref>

====Car collection====

Seinfeld, an automobile enthusiast and avid collector, owns a large [[Porsche]] collection.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/23/magazine/jerry-seinfeld-intends-to-die-standing-up.html|title=Jerry Seinfeld Intends to Die Standing Up|date=December 23, 2012|work=The New York Times}}</ref> He rented a hangar at the [[Santa Monica Airport]], in [[Santa Monica]], California, for an extended period of time during the 1990s for storage of some of the vehicles in the collection.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Seinfeld Reference: The Complete Encyclopedia with Biographies, Character Profiles & Episode Summaries|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=9RyY2Mtqk54C&lpg=PT45&dq=jerry%20seinfeld%20rented%20a%20hangar%20at%20the%20Santa%20Monica%20Airport&pg=PT45#v=onepage&q&f=false|publisher = Praetorian Publishing|access-date = 2015-04-22|isbn = 9780967985244|first = Dennis|last = Bjorklund}}</ref> In 2002 Seinfeld purchased property on the [[Upper West Side]] of [[Manhattan]] in [[New York City]] where he built a $1.4 million dollar two story garage to store part of his Porsche collection on the East Coast.<ref>[http://www.complex.com/sports/2013/04/inside-jerry-seinfelds-super-secret-manhattan-garage Inside Jerry Seinfeld's Super Secret Manhattan Garage] (Retrieved from TheComplex.com on 28 October 2016)</ref><ref>[http://observer.com/2002/03/seinfeld-builds-a-parking-lot/ Seinfeld Builds a Parking Lot] (Retrieved from [[The Observer]] on 28 October 2016)</ref>

One tally has Seinfeld owning 46 Porsches.<ref name="Complex">{{cite web|url=http://www.complexmag.ca/rides/2013/04/inside-jerry-seinfelds-super-secret-manhattan-garage |title=Inside Jerry Seinfeld's Super Secret Manhattan Garage |publisher=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=April 24, 2013}}{{dead link|date=February 2017}}</ref> Paul Bannister has written that Seinfeld's collection includes [[Porsche 911]]s from various years, 10 [[Porsche Boxster]]s each painted a different color, and the famous 1955 [[Porsche 550 Spyder]], the same model and pearl-grey color that actor [[James Dean]] was driving when he crashed and died.<ref name=bannister />

[[Discovery Channel|The Discovery Channel]] television show [[Chasing Classic Cars]] claims that Seinfeld owns the first and last air-cooled Porsche 911s produced. The centerpiece is a $700,000 [[Porsche 959]], one of only 337 built. He was not allowed to drive it, because the car was "not [[Street-legal vehicle|street legal]]", which is because US emissions and crash tests were never performed for the model since Porsche refused to donate four Porsche 959s for destruction tests. He imported the car "[[Grey import vehicles|for exhibition purposes]]", on the stipulation that it may never be driven on US roads.<ref name="bannister">{{Cite book|last=Bannister|first=Paul|title=The Comedians|pages=74–75}}</ref> The car was made US street legal in 1999 under the "[[Show and Display]]" federal law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forbesautos.com/advice/toptens/billionaire/02-bill_gates.html |title=William Gates III |work=Forbes |accessdate=August 22, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ShowDisplay/howtosd072003.html |title=How To Import A Motor Vehicle For Show Or Display |publisher=Nhtsa.dot.gov |accessdate=August 22, 2012}}</ref> Seinfeld wrote an article for the February 2004 issue of ''[[Automobile Magazine|Automobile]]'', reviewing the [[Porsche Carrera GT]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.944fest.com/Media/Jerryskids.html |publisher=''[[Automobile Magazine|Automobile]]'' via 944Fest.com |title=<nowiki>[no title available]</nowiki> |date=February 2004 |accessdate=December 16, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425053733/http://www.944fest.com/Media/Jerryskids.html |archivedate=April 25, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=February 2017}}</ref>

In 2008, Seinfeld was involved in a car accident when the brakes on his 1967 [[Fiat 500]] failed and, to avoid an intersection, he pulled the emergency brake while turning sharply, ultimately causing the car to come to a stop on its side. Seinfeld was unhurt.<ref name="follfiat">{{cite web | title = The real story about Jerry Seinfeld's Mystery Car Crash | publisher = Automobile Magazine, April 5, 2008, Phil Foraday | url = http://rumors.automobilemag.com/the-real-story-about-jerry-seinfelds-mystery-car-crash-134299.html}}</ref>

In his ''Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee'' web show, Seinfeld says the [[Lamborghini Miura]] is "the most beautiful car ever designed."<ref>{{cite web|title=Seinfeld and Chris Rock laugh it up in a Lamborghini Miura|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2013/07/18/jerry-seinfeld-chris-rock-laugh-in-lamborghini-miura-video/|publisher=Auto Blog|accessdate=December 29, 2014|date=July 18, 2013}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film===

{| class="wikitable sortable"

|-

! Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable"|Notes

|-

| 1984

| ''[[The Ratings Game]]''

| Network Rep

| TV movie

|-

| 1999

| ''[[Pros & Cons]]''

| Prison Man #2

| Cameo

|-

| 2002

| ''[[Comedian (film)|Comedian]]''

| Himself

| Documentary<br />Also executive producer

|-

| 2007

| ''[[Bee Movie]]''

| Barry B. Benson (voice)

| Also co-writer and producer<br />Nominated – [[Producers Guild of America Awards 2007#Animated Feature|Producers Guild of America Award for Motion Picture Producer of the Year Award – Animated]]<br />Nominated – [[Kids Choice Awards|Kids Choice Award for Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie]]

|-

| 2014

| ''[[Top Five]]''

| Himself

| Uncredited cameo

|}

===Television===

{| class="wikitable sortable"

|-

! Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable"|Notes

|-

| 1979

| ''[[Benson (TV series)|Benson]]''

| Frankie

| 2 episodes

|-

| 1989–1998

| ''[[Seinfeld]]''

| [[Jerry Seinfeld (character)|Jerry Seinfeld]]

|180 episodes; also co-creator, writer and executive producer<br />[[American Comedy Awards|American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series]] <small>(1992–1993)</small><br />[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series]] <small>(1993)</small><br />[[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series]] <small>(1994, 1996–1997)</small> <br />[[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy]] <small>(1993)</small> <br />Nominated – [[American Comedy Awards|American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series]] <small>(1996, 1999)</small><br />Nominated – [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor – Comedy Series]] <small>(1992–1996)</small><br />Nominated – [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy]] <small>(1994–1995, 1997)</small> <br /> Nominated – [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/jerry-seinfeld |title=Jerry Seinfeld Emmy Nominated |publisher=Emmys.com |accessdate=February 5, 2012}}</ref> <small>(1992, 1994–1998)</small><br />Nominated – [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series]] <small>(1995)</small>

|-

| 1992, 1999

|''[[Saturday Night Live]]''

| Himself (host)

| 2 episodes

|-

| 1993, 1998

| ''[[The Larry Sanders Show]]''

| Himself

| 2 episodes

|-

| 1997

| ''[[NewsRadio]]''

| Himself

| Episode: "The Real Deal"

|-

| 1998

| ''[[I'm Telling You for the Last Time]]''

| Himself

| Stand-up special

|-

| 1998

| ''[[Mad About You]]''

| Himself

| Uncredited<br/>Episode: "Season Opener"

|-

| 2000

| ''[[Dilbert (TV series)|Dilbert]]''

| Comp-U-Comp (voice)

| Episode: "The Return"

|-

| 2004

| ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]''

| Himself

| Uncredited<br/>Episode: "Opening Night"

|-

| 2007

| ''[[30 Rock]]''

| Himself

| Episode: "[[SeinfeldVision]]"

|-

| 2009

| ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]''

| Himself

| 5 episodes

|-

| 2010–2011

| ''[[The Marriage Ref (U.S. TV series)|The Marriage Ref]]''

|

| Creator and executive producer

|-

| 2012, 2014

|''[[Louie (TV series)|Louie]]''

| Himself

| 2 episodes

|-

| 2012–present

| ''[[Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee]]''

| Himself (host)

|

|-

| 2015

| ''[[Inside Amy Schumer]]''

| Himself

| Episode: "80s Ladies"

|-

| 2016

| ''[[The Jim Gaffigan Show]]''

| Himself

| Episode: "The Calling"

|-

| 2016

| ''[[Maya & Marty]]''

| Himself

| Episode: "5"

|}

====Writing credits for ''Seinfeld''====

The list below only includes episodes mainly written by Seinfeld, as he (and Larry David in Seasons 1 through 7) rewrote the drafts for each episode.

[[Seinfeld (season 1)|Season 1]]

* [[The Seinfeld Chronicles]] (with [[Larry David]])

* [[Male Unbonding]] (with Larry David)

* [[The Stake Out (Seinfeld)|The Stake Out]] (with Larry David)

* [[The Stock Tip (Seinfeld episode)|The Stock Tip]] (with Larry David)

[[Seinfeld (season 2)|Season 2]]

* [[The Ex-Girlfriend]] (with Larry David)

* [[The Pony Remark]] (with Larry David)

** Nominated — [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series|Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series]] (1991 – Episode "The Pony Remark")

* [[The Busboy]] (with Larry David)

* [[The Jacket (Seinfeld)|The Jacket]] (with Larry David)

* [[The Chinese Restaurant]] (with Larry David)

* [[The Phone Message]] (with Larry David)

[[Seinfeld (season 3)|Season 3]]

* [[The Stranded]] (with Larry David and Matt Goldman)

[[Seinfeld (season 4)|Season 4]]

* [[The Shoes (Seinfeld)|The Shoes]] (with Larry David)

[[Seinfeld (season 5)|Season 5]]

* [[The Sniffing Accountant]] (with Larry David)

* [[The Raincoats (Seinfeld)|The Raincoats]] (with Larry David, [[Tom Gammill]], and [[Max Pross]])

* [[The Opposite]] (with Larry David and Andy Cowan)

[[Seinfeld (season 6)|Season 6]]

* [[The Kiss Hello]] (with Larry David)

[[Seinfeld (season 7)|Season 7]]

* [[The Cadillac (Seinfeld)|The Cadillac]], Parts 1 and 2 (with Larry David)

==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==

{{sisterlinks|commons=Category:Jerry Seinfeld|d=Q215506|v=no|b=no|s=no|voy=no|species=no|wikt=no}}

* {{Official website|jerryseinfeld.com}}

* {{IMDb name|0000632}}

* {{IBDB name}}

* {{DMOZ|Arts/People/S/Seinfeld%2C_Jerry/}}

* {{NYTtopic|people/s/jerry_seinfeld}}

{{Jerry Seinfeld|state=uncollapsed}}

{{Seinfeld}}

{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for Jerry Seinfeld

|list =

{{GoldenGlobeBestActorTVComedy 1990-2009}}

{{ScreenActorsGuildAwards EnsembleTVComedy 1994–1999}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Seinfeld, Jerry}}

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