From an on-screen standpoint, Seinfeld enjoyed major success. However, unlike Friends, the cast wasn't as close behind the scenes. This also held true for guest-stars, as the main cast wasn't always fond of the personnel, but the same held true in the opposite sense as we're going to reveal in the following.
We'll take a look back at a few instances of guest-stars not fitting in. One in particular was roasted by Jason Alexander, so much so that he needed to apologize for his words.
However, there was another actor who appeared in the early '90s, and it seems like the main cast wanted nothing to do with him given his antics behind the scenes. We'll take a look as to why he was never invited back, while featuring another guest-star who wasn't feeling the love from the main cast during his cameo.
The Main Seinfeld Cast Struggled With Certain Guest Stars, Including Heidi Swedberg
The Seinfeld cast has told many behind the scenes stories from the past. Perhaps the most entertaining, was Jason Alexander's working relationship alongside Susan, who was played by Heidi Swedberg. According to Alexander alongside The Hollywood Reporter, playing off the actress was a constant struggle.
“I couldn’t figure out how to play off of her. Her instincts for doing a scene, where the comedy was, and mine were always misfiring. And she would do something, and I would go, ‘OK, I see what she’s going to do — I’m going to adjust to her.’ And I’d adjust, and then it would change.”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus would step in and request the character get killed off. Nonetheless, Jason Alexander felt regret about detailing the experience, especially given the story of wanting to kill Swedberg off the show.
“Swedberg was generous and gracious, and I am so mad at myself for retelling this story in any way that would diminish her,” Alexander continued. “If I had had more maturity or more security in my own work, I surely would have taken her query and possibly tried to adjust the scenes with her. She surely offered. But, I didn’t have that maturity or security.”
In truth, it was far from the only time a guest-star caused quite the stir behind the scenes on Seinfeld.
Elaine's Dad Lawrence Tierney Was Known For His Bizarre Behavior Backstage, Which Included Carrying Around A Weapon
Lawrence Tierney was the actor behind the role of Elaine's father. According to Ranker, it was a guest-appearance that could've featured more cameos from the actor throughout the seasons, however, it was said that he caused too much chaos behind the scenes with unsettling acts.
Jason Alexander summed it up, "Lawrence Tierney scared the living crap out of all of us." Among his antics included carrying a knife in his pants, and joking around about using it on Seinfeld... Ultimately, his actions were deemed as a little much for those behind the scenes, and the two sides parted ways on what was said to be, good terms.
The actor appeared on a single episode of Seinfeld back in 1991. He had several other cameos from then on in both TV and film which included voice work in The Simpsons, along with memorable films such as Reservoir Dogs and Junior. The actor sadly passed away back in 2002.
Guest Star Brad Garrett Revealed He Didn't Get Much Bonding Time With The Main Cast During His Seinfeld Cameo
Although the main Seinfeld cast wasn't into a few of the guest-stars, it seems like things also held true the other way around. Prior to his fame with Everybody Loves Raymond, Brad Garrett appeared on the sitcom. His involvement was brief back in 1996, taking on one episode as a mechanic. During the cameo, Garrett reveals that Jerry in particular was very much to himself. However, he still praised the actor for his approach and work ethic on the series.
“I don’t know Jerry that well. I think very few people do, because he is a very private guy … But he’s, without a doubt, one of the greats. I watch him work, and want to go put my head in the oven.”
Garrett was also asked about taking on an interview with Jerry, but revealed it likely wouldn't happen because he wasn't Jerry's, "thing."
“I love cars, and I love coffee,” Garrett says. “I don’t think he likes me. I mean, everyone has done it, everyone … But I don’t think I’m his thing.”
Don't feel too sorry for Garrett, as the actor would enjoy his own success thanks to Everybody Loves Raymond. Like Seinfeld, the sitcom scored big thanks to syndication rights when it came to an end.
Garrett continues to be an in-demand actor in 2023 with various projects. He also enjoyed success with 'Til Death back in 2006, yet another sitcom that was able to get syndication rights on major networks.
