10 TV Shows That Recast Major Characters (For The Better)

10. Frank Constanza - Seinfeld

Outside of Seinfeld's central quartet, Frank Constanza is unquestionably one of the show's most beloved supporting characters, George's (Jason Alexander) interminably awkward, irate father, as played so deliciously by the inimitable Jerry Stiller.

But Stiller wasn't in fact the first actor to play Frank, with the part originally played by John Randolph in his introductory season four episode, "The Handicap Spot."

Randolph's delivery was ultimately far more stiff and serious-minded than Stiller's, to the extent that Larry David actually went back and had Randolph's scenes re-shot with Stiller in 1995 to ensure consistency as the show entered syndication.

You can still check out the full Randolph performance for yourself on streaming releases of the series, but without Stiller's looser, more free-wheeling vision of the character, it's tough to imagine that Frank would've enjoyed such a lengthy recurring tenure throughout the rest of the show.