Ben Stiller reveals how Seinfeld revived his late father’s career

‘He would prepare like he was doing Shakespeare’

Ben Stiller has credited Seinfeld with reviving the career of his late father, Jerry Stiller.

Speaking to The New Yorker, Stiller said: ”“I think Seinfeld really changed his life, because he was at a point in his career where the phone wasn’t really ringing.”

In Seinfeld, the elder Stiller played the character of Frank Costanza, the curmudgeonly father of George, who was portrayed by Jason Alexander.

“For someone who’s thrived on work and thrived on being funny and having an interaction with an audience, it really changed everything for him,” Stiller remembered.

“He loved working with those actors, and he would prepare like he was doing Shakespeare. He would break it down, a sitcom script, and figure out ‘Why am I saying this? What’s the motivation for this character? What’s his history?’”

He added: “So it came out of him putting everything into it, and not trying to be funny.”

Jerry Stiller died of natural causes on 11 May. After his death, tributes poured in for the beloved actor and comedian.

Seinfeld co-star Alexander wrote on Twitter: “He was perhaps the kindest man I ever had the honour to work beside. He made me laugh when I was a child and every day I was with him. A great actor, a great man, a lovely friend.”

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who played Elaine on the hit sitcom, wrote: “He was so funny and such a dear human being. We loved him.”