Once a beloved television star, a former actor from a popular 90s sitcom was recently spotted in Los Angeles, looking unrecognizable with a bushy white beard and yellowed teeth, after years of staying out of the spotlight due to a career-ending racist incident.
Michael Richards, famous for playing Cosmo Kramer on Seinfeld between 1989 and 1998, saw his career crumble after a notorious racist incident with a Black fan in 2006. Living a low-key life ever since, Richards was recently spotted enjoying a walk in Los Angeles, California. Sporting an unruly white beard and discolored teeth, the one-time comedian was seen taking a breather in the trunk of his car after spending the day walking and biking.
Remarkably, despite his damaged reputation, the 70-year-old Richards still boasts an estimated net worth of $45 million. Choosing to stay out of the limelight after his 2006 racist outburst, he did apologize to the Black fan. It wasn’t until 2012 that Richards opened up about the ordeal while conversing with his former co-star, Jerry Seinfeld, on the show Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
During the heartfelt exchange with Seinfeld, Richards admitted that the infamous scene, captured on camera while he was hurling racial slurs at a heckler, continued to haunt him and left him feeling shattered.
The incident unfolded in November 2006 at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood, where Richards was set to perform stand-up comedy. Since that fateful day, he has found it nearly impossible to land a job and opted to withdraw from public life.
The disturbing video shows Richards spewing racial slurs and insults at the critic, demanding security to escort the individual out. In his 2012 conversation with Seinfeld, Richards expressed deep regret, saying, “I lost my temper because somebody interrupted my act and said some things that hurt me, and I lashed out in anger.” He went on to confess that his reaction was selfish and that he should have displayed more selflessness during his performance.
Acknowledging the profound effect the event had on him, Richards said, “I busted up after that event… It broke me down.” Throughout the entire ordeal, Seinfeld remained a pillar of support for Richards. Grateful for his friend’s unwavering loyalty, Richards thanked him during the interview, saying, “And thanks for sticking by me. It meant a lot to me. But inside, it still kicks me around.”
WATCH the video below for more details:
Source: AWM
