Being a guest star on a popular series comes with a ton of pressure. Anna Faris was terrified prior to appearing on Friends, and this is because she knew how big of an opportunity it was, and how important it was to fit in. The last thing she wanted to be considered was a bad guest star, like Sean Penn.
Patrick Warburton left a lasting impression on Seinfeld fans as David Puddy, but on set, he avoided Jerry Seinfeld. It sounds odd, but when you hear his reasoning, it makes some sense.
Patrick Warburton Played David Puddy On Seinfeld
During the 6th and 9th season of Seinfeld, Patrick Warburton landed a guest role that would go down in television history. Warburton portrayed the larger-than-life character, David Puddy, Jerry Seinfeld's high-energy and low-IQ mechanic friend with a knack for delivering hilariously deadpan one-liners. His character's recurring appearances quickly earned him a place in the hearts of fans and left an indelible mark on the show's legacy.
One of the most iconic moments in Puddy's arc was his fervent support for the New Jersey Devils hockey team. In the episode "The Face Painter," Warburton delivered a comedic tour de force as he painted his face in the colors of the team, much to the amusement of the viewers.
The character of David Puddy became so beloved that even after the show's conclusion, he continued to enjoy a lasting legacy. Fans would eagerly hope for Warburton's appearances at any rumored Seinfeld reunions and conventions, proving that his portrayal had transcended the small screen and had become an integral part of pop culture.
In interviews, Patrick Warburton has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of the Seinfeld universe. He acknowledged the immense talent of the show's creators, Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, and the camaraderie among the cast that made his time on set enjoyable.
Warburton had a great time on set, even making lifelong friends. He did, however, avoid Jerry Seinfeld while working on the show.
Warburton Avoided Jerry Seinfeld In Fear Of Saying The Wrong Thing
Broadway Opening Night for The River
Said Warburton, "I'm still friends with Jason Alexander to this day." From there, the actor expanded on the reason he avoided Jerry.
"The reason being I just didn't want to stick my foot in mouth or say something stupid. I wanted to hit my marks, I wanted to get the laughs and I wanted him to say, 'I like that Puddy character, let's bring him back.'"
So, to keep things smooth on set, and to keep Jerry interested in the character and the performer, Warburton made it a point to avoid Jerry.
As Looper also noted, there was a sense that Jerry didn't want to be bothered on set.
"I just wanted to stay out of his way. I haven't seen him in years but I miss him."
Eventually, the pair were able to work together on Bee Movie, which allowed Warburton to get to know Seinfeld much better than when they worked on the sitcom together.
"I got to know Jerry better when I did 'Bee Movie' because I didn't work with him that much on [the 'Seinfeld'] set," he said.
Bee Movie is by no means on Seinfeld's level, but it's great that Warburton had the opportunity to work with Jerry years after the show came to an end.
Warburton was fantastic on the show, and he was just one of many incredible guest stars that elevated the series.
Seinfeld Had An Incredible List Of Guest Stars
Bryan Cranston, one of the most loved performers of his era, was a notable guest on the show, though this was well before he hit it big. While on the show, Cranston managed to make Jerry laugh during a scene.
"I hear a voice saying, ‘Hey, you know what would be funny?’ and I look out and, on a ladder adjusting a light, is a guy. And he goes, ‘It would be funny if you first took a hit of the laughing gas before you gave it to him,'" Cranston said.
Cranston rolled with it, and Seinfeld couldn't hold it in.
"Jerry falls over laughing. Just dies. It was hilarious. And Larry David… he said, ‘Jerry, stop laughing. Let’s do it again.’”
Other notable names that appeared on Seinfeld include Catherine Keener, Courteney Cox, Denise Richards, Sarah Silverman, and many, many more.
Partick Warburton played it safe while on set, but he eventually made lifelong friends, and a lasting impact on a show filled with many classic characters.
