Jason Alexander recently revealed that several well-known actors, including Danny DeVito, were nearly cast as George Costanza on the hit sitcom Seinfeld. During a podcast discussion, Alexander shared insights into the casting process that took place before the show’s debut in 1989, highlighting unexpected contenders for the role he ultimately played.
Other Actors Considered for George Costanza
Jason Alexander, who portrayed George Costanza from 1989 to 1998, opened up about the actors who were in contention for the character during a recent episode of his podcast, Really? no, Really? Alongside co-host Peter Tilden and guest Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, author of the 2016 book Seinfeldia, Alexander described the audition process and the surprising competition for the role.
Alexander mentioned that he and fellow actor Larry Miller auditioned simultaneously, with Alexander initially believing Miller might secure the part due to his friendship with Jerry Seinfeld. However, Alexander went on to reveal other notable names connected to the role.
“I know some of the people that they either offered the role to or — I know about Chris Rock. I know about Danny DeVito. I know about Paul Schaefer. And I know about, um, Rosie O’Donnell,”
he stated.
When Alexander asked Armstrong about additional names, she recalled another unexpected candidate:
“The only other one that I remember because it was so off the beaten path was Buscemi — Steve Buscemi.”
The Context and Legacy of Seinfeld
Seinfeld premiered in 1989 and was co-created by Larry David. The series gained fame for its unique premise as a “show about nothing,” focusing on the everyday experiences of a close-knit group of friends living in Manhattan.
At the center was Jerry Seinfeld playing a version of himself, along with his friends Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), George Costanza (played by Jason Alexander), and Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards). The show became a cultural phenomenon, blending relatable humor with clever observations about urban life.
Years later, the cast reunited on season 7 of Larry David’s HBO comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm. Reflecting on the reunion, Alexander admitted to reservations about recapturing the original magic.
“Initially, I had concerns that a reunion show wouldn’t be a good thing to do, or a fun thing to do. We hadn’t worked as a group in 10 years. So we’re all 10 years older,”
he said.
He further explained, “So the first thing I’m thinking is, ‘What was barely charming on characters in their 30s and 40s may be completely devoid of charm in their 40s and 50s, and that may be a mistake.’
Despite his worries, Alexander found that the cast’s bond quickly revived the original dynamic.
“The ensemble feeling that we had, the affection that we had for each other, it was immediate,”
he remarked, describing the experience as feeling like “a time tunnel.”
The Impact of Casting Choices on Seinfeld’s Success
The revelation that actors such as Danny DeVito and Chris Rock almost portrayed George Costanza offers fascinating insight into how different casting could have shaped the character and the series as a whole. Jason Alexander’s eventual casting became iconic, defining George’s neurotic and often hapless behavior in ways audiences around the world embraced.
Understanding this alternative casting history enriches appreciation for the series’ production decisions and the chemistry that contributed to its longstanding popularity. As Seinfeld continues to be celebrated decades after its original run, stories like these highlight the unpredictable nature of casting and how close the show came to multiple alternative futures.
