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Michael Richards

Michael Richards

Actor, also producer · Born July 24, 1949 (77) · Culver City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Michael Anthony Richards (born July 24, 1949) is an American actor, comedian, writer and television producer, best known for his portrayal of the eccentric Cosmo Kramer on the television sitcom Seinfeld. Richards began his career as a stand up comedian, first stepping into a national spotlight when he was featured on Billy Crystal's first cable TV special. He went on to become a series regular on ABC's Fridays. Prior to Seinfeld, he made numerous guest appearances on a variety of television shows including Cheers, Night Court, Miami Vice and St. Elsewhere. His film credits include So I Married an Axe Murderer, Airheads, Young Doctors in Love, Problem Child, Coneheads and UHF. During the run of Seinfeld, he made a guest appearance in Mad About You. After Seinfeld, Richards starred in his own sitcom, The Michael Richards Show, which lasted less than one season. After his series was cancelled, Richards returned to his roots performing stand up comedy. After inciting some media furor in late 2006 over explosively addressing audience members at a comedy show with repeated racial epithets, Richards announced his retirement from stand-up in 2007. Most recently, Richards appeared as himself in the seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm in 2009, acting alongside his fellow Seinfeld cast members for the first time since Seinfeld's finale.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 24, 1949 (77)
From
Culver City, Los Angeles, California, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
29 on MovieCove · 45 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 26% in 30 days

What are Michael Richards' films like?

Across their 15 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
34%
Self
19%
Society
17%
Morality
12%
Ideas
7%
Power
6%
Survival
5%
Friendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 9 · Serious 2 · Dark 0

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 3

Gentle: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their gentle movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 6 · Charged 5 · Intense 0

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 6 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 1

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 0 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 8

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 9 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Trickster: 3 of 7 analyzed roles.

Trickster
3 of 7
Shadow
1 of 7
Ally
1 of 7
Hero
1 of 7
Threshold guardian
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
9
Joyful
9
Warm
5
Manic
4
Tense
4
Other
10

How their films linger

Fun10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCozy2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet3
  • Ambiguous1
  • Cyclical2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Michael Richards' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 14 of their 29 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (6).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Richards' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

45 credits, 29 with a MovieCove page; 10 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Faith, Hope & Love(2019)

    Producer · as Daddy Hogwood

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Kirstie(2013)

    Show 12 episodes · as Frank Baxter

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all shows

  • Kirstie Alley's Big Life(2010)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all shows

  • Bee Movie(2007)

    as Bud Ditchwater (voice)

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • David Copperfield(2000)

    as Wilkins Micawber

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • David Copperfield (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Wilkins Micawber

  • The Michael Richards Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 9 episodes · Creator · Executive Producer · as Vic Nardozza

  • Curb Your Enthusiasm(2000)

    Show 3 episodes · as Michael Richards

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Redux Riding Hood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as The Wolf (voice)

  • Trial and Error(1997)

    as Richard Rietti

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Ellen's Energy Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Caveman discovering fire (uncredited)

  • London Suite(1996)

    as Mark Ferris

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Unstrung Heroes(1995)

    as Danny Lidz

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Airheads(1994)

    as Doug Beech

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • So I Married an Axe Murderer(1993)

    as Obituary Employee

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Coneheads(1993)

    as Motel Clerk

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Mad About You(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Cosmo Kramer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • The Larry Sanders Show(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Michael Richards

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Dinosaurs(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Director (voice)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Problem Child(1990)

    as Martin Beck

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • UHF(1989)

    as Stanley Spadowski

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Seinfeld(1989)

    Show 180 episodes · as Cosmo Kramer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Choice Chance Control (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Victor Loudon

  • Marblehead Manor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 24 episodes · as Rick

  • Jonathan Winters: On the Ledge(1987)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Fresno (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 5 episodes · as 2nd Henchman

  • Sidekicks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Whoops Apocalypse(1987)

    as Lacrobat

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Darlin' Clementine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Sneaky Pete

  • Transylvania 6-5000(1985)

    as Fejos

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Tall Tales & Legends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Sneaky Pete

  • The Ratings Game(1984)

    as Sal

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Miami Vice(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Pagone

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Pinocchio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Vince

  • Night Court(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Eugene Sleighbough

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • The House of God(1981)

    as Dr. Pinkus

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Scarecrow and Mrs. King(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Herndon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • St. Elsewhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 5 episodes · as Bill Wolf

  • Cheers(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Eddie Gordon

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Faerie Tale Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as King Geoffrey · as Vince

  • The Tale of the Frog Prince (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as King Geoffrey

  • Young Doctors in Love(1982)

    as Malamud Callahan

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Black and White: Uptight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 45 titles from 1969 to 2019; peak year 1994.

Biggest box office

Problem Child (1990)

$72M worldwide

Highest rated

Seinfeld (1989)

Midcredits 97th

Film career

19692019

Peak 1994 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1982Screen debut· Young Doctors in Love
  • 1997First top-billed film· Trial and Error
  • 1997Career best· Trial and Error

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting45 of 45: 44 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score53rdProducing1 of 45: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew1 of 45: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1960s1 · acting1980s24 · acting1990s12 · acting2000s5 · 5 acting · 1 crew2010s3 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 8% of 12 roles
8292

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Michael Richards' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 45th percentile, the median of all 17; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 48th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 29 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

10 of their 29 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser10
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed10

Most divisive · actor

Kirstie Alley's Big Life (2010)

96th percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000)

Midcredits 98th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 63/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 39. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Michael Richards' work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, frightening / intense runs lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 30 · mildMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 37 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 33 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 32 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles7–30 · median 18 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Michael Richards work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Richards' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jerry Seinfeld shares the most, 3.

Writers

Actors

Composers