C.K. Steefel Looks Back on Seinfeld
C.K. Steefel appeared in two episodes of Seinfeld, forever lauded as one of the greatest American TV shows. I asked her everything you could wish to know.
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to appear in a hit sitcom? Scratch that, what about one of the greatest American TV shows of all time… C.K. Steefel doesn’t have to. She landed two roles on Seinfeld, one in “The Keys” from Season 3 and another in “The Cigar Store Indian” from Season 5. Playing Kramer’s girlfriend, Gucci, and George’s girlfriend, Sylvia.1 I asked her everything you could wish to know.
We also caught up on her life today, about writing humour essays and finding a sizeable audience on Substack. I’m so proud of this interview and overjoyed that C.K. said yes. I hope to cross Larry David off next, but I think that’ll be a challenge.
*Audio below the article
How did you land your role in Seinfeld?
Well, my brother-in-law’s friend’s uncle was George Shapiro. He was Jerry Seinfeld’s manager until his death.2 I was performing a one-woman show I’d written in Los Angeles. My brother-in-law said to his friend, “Maybe your uncle can come and see this show”, and he did.
That night, there were only 4 people in the audience. They say, “Never do a show to an audience the size of which you could beat up,” but he was so gracious and sweet. Consequently, I was called in to audition for a role without any lines. They wanted me for that role, but promised they’d bring me in to audition for a bigger part.
So, I did this small part as Kramer’s girlfriend, Gucci, and a couple of seasons later, they brought me back in. I had a great scene in a brilliant episode: The Cigar Store Indian as George’s girlfriend, Sylvia.
Was it a stand-up show that you were performing?
It wasn’t, I did a bunch of characters. It was called “I Can Fit My Fist in My Mouth.”
That’s funny.
I guess I was able to back then. I haven’t tried recently.
“The characters were a parade of extraordinary women. I was very good at voices and characters. I wrote all the monologues. It was great, I performed in New York and LA.”
How long did you pursue that for?
For a couple of years. I went to NYU (New York University) to study performing arts. The one thing I learned in all my years there was: “Make your own theatre.” It was very hard to get a job.
So, I decided to write and take classes with the Groundlings improv group, which later became Gotham City Improv in New York. I discovered I loved writing humour and character monologues, which became the show.
What was the atmosphere like on the Seinfeld set?
Very professional when “the suits” came in. So, it was like a week of work. We did our readthrough on a Monday, when it was all fun and games and people laughing. But then the suits came in, perhaps on a Thursday — the NBC corporate people.
“Friday night was the taping, and then it got very quiet and serious.”
Regardless, it was so much fun to work on a hit show.
Would it have been better without the suits?
I’m not sure because it helped to solidify the script. Jerry and Larry were still making changes here and there. It also solidified the blocking, i.e. where the actors stand and move within a scene. It organised everybody. It was like the parents coming home.
The pressure you need sometimes.
Did the roles change your feelings about life and your identity?
That’s a big question. It solidified my confidence in my comedic skills. I thought, “My god, this is my forte,” which is part of my identity.
As for my feelings about life, I still get residual cheques, which is very nice because it’s like a little birthday gift. So, I’m like, “I wish I did a few more of these, because I could retire.”
Kramer is a pretty eccentric character. What was Michael Richards like to work with? I’ve heard he’s an excellent chess player.
You know what? I’ve never heard that before, but that makes total sense because he is very focused. He’s a very serious guy, or serious about his work anyway.
One time, he asked me what I thought of a performance after a rehearsal. At first, I thought, “You’re asking me!?” And I gave my honest reaction, saying it was great. I always thought his work was great. He just kind of waved me away like “never mind”, because he wanted me to give him criticism!
That’s quite a unique response. You’d have to be unique to play someone like Kramer, ha-ha.
He was definitely very unique.
Did Jason Alexander make you laugh? Your eyes looked genuinely amused as George showed you around his parents’ house.
I didn’t break character during our scenes because it’s not professional, and I wanted to be invited back, but Jason was a comedic timing genius. We watched the other scenes being taped, and I overheard Larry say, “He is just a genius,” commenting specifically on his timing.
Did you get comments from Jerry and Larry? What did they say?
I didn’t, because they stayed in their lane.
“Jerry and Larry were very hands-off when it came to directing the show.”
I got my direction from Tom Cherones, who directed the episode when I played Sylvia. They definitely shared comedic ideas with him, but Tom mainly told me what to do. Just the basic things like where to stand and walk.
It's surprising. I imagined them both sitting there giving opinions.
Were you told to do a specific accent in the Cigar Store Indian?
I wasn’t. I read the part, saw she was from New York and pulled out my New York accent. And it worked. I’m very good at that accent.
You are, ha-ha.
I lived in New York for a while, and my parents are from there. Plus, my grandmother is [she starts doing the accent] your typical Jewish grandmother from New York.
Ha-ha!
… I grew up in LA, but people always ask me if I’m from there.
It was the right accent to go for. It brought a certain vibe.
Why do you think Seinfeld captured your nation’s imagination? Does it say something about American life?
“I think the characters are just relatable human beings. Sometimes it’s realistic, but they’re heightened versions of ordinary people.”
Although… when their behaviour does stand out, it’s very funny.
It’s about New York, too. People are very intrigued by New Yorkers and the life there. They wanted to see those crazy characters from New York.
They’re always re-convening at the diner for coffee and meals. It would be so expensive nowadays. Was that an everyday thing in New York at the time?
Yes, I lived in New York in the 80s, and we would always hang out at the local coffee shop or diner, and the prices were very different back then.
Do you have a bond with any of the cast members today?
I wish; that would be fun. I knew Jason before I was cast, but we didn’t keep in touch before or after. I haven’t lived in LA in 25 years. So, it’s not like I would bump into anyone, but if I did, I would definitely say something. And I’m sure they would remember me because I’m so memorable. Ha-ha.
Also, Jerry’s a billionaire in New York, and I’m not really socialising in those circles.
Is he a billionaire now?
Oh yeah, with those residual cheques for sure.
So, there’s never been a get-together?
They had a reunion episode, but I wasn’t cast. I don’t know if it’s because I lived out of state. Perhaps they wanted to keep the cast small, or they were extra picky.
I think to have everyone in one episode, they’d have to do a big crowd scene.
Would you change anything about the experience?
No, but I would have loved for Sylvia to be a recurring character. It wasn’t to be, but it was an amazing sitcom. I guest-starred in two failing sitcoms afterwards, and the atmosphere is different. The regulars know it’s not going to be renewed for another season. It’s not fun. Seinfeld was a phenomenal experience.
I could imagine you in a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode, especially given your character comedy.
I would have pursued that if I were still in LA, but I gave it up to have kids, and got into screenwriting. I didn’t want to raise my kids in LA.
How have you built and maintained such an impressive following on Substack?
“Well, I started two years ago, and I devote a lot of time to supporting other writers, which I love. It’s a great way to build both of your followings simultaneously.”
So, you recommend each other and comment on each other’s posts.
I notice a dip if I don’t post on notes or when I miss a post and get busy. I love that you’re interviewing women because I don’t see a lot of that, that’s why I do it too. There are a lot of funny women on Substack whom I’ve enjoyed supporting and interviewing. A lot of people think women can’t be funny.
Can you tell me more about your writing?
I write humour, sometimes with heart. I write essays about growing up in LA, marriage and family, and being an empty nester. You know, “I’m still waiting for my son to text me back”, that kind of thing. I’m hooked on the essay format. I just love it.
Who influences your writing?
Shelly Mazzanoble, Alisa Kennedy… And also, the greats like Nora Ephron. There have been some wicked-funny women. I still miss Joan Rivers.
Do you ever dance in the kitchen?
No! Because I’m a terrible dancer. I’m like Elaine.3 But I make goofy gestures, and I talk to myself. I try to think about new comedy essays and videos when at home.
“If I do dance, it’s to make myself laugh.”
What makes you laugh the most?
The unexpected. But I try to find the humour in everything. My husband and I laugh a lot. He’s incredibly comical.
Also, I hate to admit this, but I still have the humour of a 14-year-old boy. I laugh at bathroom jokes. Although I rarely write them. Now and then I do, but I will go into hysterics at a fart machine.
Me too. It’s the button to push.
I don’t even know why I’m asking this, it just came into my head when I was preparing. What do you think of the Mona Lisa?
Mona who? Is that a band? It would be a good name.
It’s a song by Panic! At The Disco.
And Nat King Cole. Beautiful song. The painting might be overrated, and the song should be rated more highly.
What’s the secret to a good life?
Definitely laughter. It’s okay to laugh at someone slipping on a banana peel as long as they’re not hurt. But ultimately, my family means everything to me.
For me, the secret to a good life is interviewing comedians. Thank you so much for reading. I always find it endearing to speak to Americans. My favourite line of C.K.’s on Seinfeld is “I didn’t think any cool guys lived in this neighbourhood”, to which George replies “Well, they do now”.
She writes under the name . You can also follow her on Instagram.
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Audio
Kramer and George: 2 of the 4 main characters, alongside Jerry and Elaine.
Around a year ago, at 91.
Elaine dances badly in “The Little Kicks”, episode 4 of Season 8. All available on Netflix.
This was awesome. Thx for interviewing me. It was an honor to participate. 🥰🙏
This is so cool. Thanks Dan and CK for doing this.