Is Kramer real?
Christopher Davis
Updated on April 20, 2026
The character of Kramer was originally based on the real-life Kenny Kramer, a neighbor of co-creator Larry David from New York. However, Michael Richards did not in any way base his performance on the real Kramer, to the point of refusing to meet him.
Are Kramer and Elaine based on real people?
Kramer, SeinfeldAs their inspiration for the tall-haired, quirky neighbor, Seinfeld creators Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David used a real-life kooky friend named Kenny Kramer. "Kenny was always coming up with these oddball schemes that sounded like they were made up for a television show," David told The New York Times.