The New York-based stand-up comedian, known for his roles on 'Seinfeld' and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', passed away at the age of 71 after battling prostate cancer and Crohn's disease for years.
- Jun 18, 2024
AceShowbiz - Hiram Kasten, a prominent figure in the New York comedy scene and actor on popular sitcoms, died on Sunday at the age of 71. An obituary posted to his Facebook page confirmed his passing, but did not disclose a specific cause of death. However, it noted that Kasten had been battling prostate cancer and Crohn's disease in recent years.
Born in the Bronx in 1952, Kasten pursued theater studies at CUNY's Lehman College. His comedic journey began in the 1970s at Pearl's Place, an Upper East Side jazz club. He later became a regular at The Comic Strip, where he forged a friendship with Jerry Seinfeld, the club's emcee.
Kasten's stand-up career spanned decades, with performances at prestigious clubs such as Catch a Rising Star and Dangerfield's. His television breakthrough came with the sitcom "Seinfeld", where he played Michael, a co-worker of Elaine Benes (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus), in three episodes.
Additional acting credits included appearances on "Curb Your Enthusiasm", "Everybody Loves Raymond", "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", "Mad About You" and "Saved by the Bell". Kasten also performed in the live show "The Rat Pack Is Back" in Las Vegas.
In 1986, Kasten married Diana Kisiel, whom he met while she worked as a waitress at the Big Apple. They moved to Los Angeles to pursue further opportunities in the entertainment industry. The couple had a daughter, Millicent.
Kasten gradually reduced his performing commitments as his health declined from 2017 onwards. However, he only shared the severity of his illness with close friends in the last six months of his life.
His family has requested that donations in his memory be made to Crossroads House and the Entertainment Community Fund. Kasten is remembered as a beloved husband, father and artist who dedicated his life to bringing laughter to audiences.
