Seinfeld star Michael Richards, 70, makes rare appearance looking barely recognizable sporting a full beard amid lockdown in Los Angeles
Seinfeld star Michael Richards – famous for playing the role of Cosmo Kramer from 1989 to 1998 – went for a hike in Los Angeles, California on Sunday, looking noticeably different.
It was a rare appearance for the actor, and it seems that he has grown himself a full beard while most of the country has been on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Richards, 70, appeared to be taking a break from a hiking and biking adventure as he sat with his feet up in the trunk of his car.
Is that you, Kramer? Seinfeld star Michael Richards looks barely recognizable as he makes rare in appearance in LA sporting a full beard amid lockdown
The comedian has kept somewhat of a low-profile over the years, particularly after his infamous racist rant in 2006 which he has since apologized for.
In 2012, Richards opened up to his former co-star Jerry Seinfeld about the incident in his show Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee.
During the candid interview with his former Seinfeld co-star, Richards admits he is still haunted by incident, saying: ‘It broke me down.’
Reclusive: It was a rare appearance for the actor, and it appears he has grown himself a full beard while most of the country has been on lockdown due to coronavirus
Time out: The comedian has kept somewhat of a low-profile over the years, particularly after his infamous racist rant in 2006 which he has since apologized for.
The actor said that he is still haunted by incident, saying: ‘It broke me down.’
In November 2006, Richards, who played Cosmo Kramer in the hit comedy, caused a media storm after video of him repeatedly calling a heckler an n*****” was leaked.
The comic was doing a stand-up routine at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood at the time.
The way they were: Michael Richards as Cosmo Kramer, Wayne Knight as Newman in Seinfeld
In footage filmed by another audience member he is shown hurling racist abuse saying: ‘Throw his ass out…He’s a n*****! Look there’s a n*****!’
On the subject of being a ‘selfless’ performer, Richards told Seinfeld: ‘That’s a lesson I learned…when I blew it in the comedy club.
I lost my temper ‘cause somebody interrupted my act and said some things that hurt me and I lashed out in anger.
Star-making: Richards pictured in a scene from the sixth season of the show with Jerry Seinfeld
‘I should have been working selflessly that evening.
‘It was a selfish response. I took it too personally and I should have just said: ‘Yeah, you’re absolutely right. I’m not funny. I think I’ll go home and work on my material and I’ll see you tomorrow night.
‘But – you know – it was just one of those nights.’
He added: ‘I busted up after that event…It broke me down.’
Richards went on to thank Seinfeld in the episode for publicly supporting, him, saying: ‘And thanks for sticking by me. It meant a lot to me.
‘But inside it still kicks me around.’
Iconic: The star is best known for his role on the hit sitcom that ran from 1989 to 1998