10 Fascinating Facts About Seinfeld
3. Elaine’s Dad Only Appeared Once Because The Actor Was Scary
Hilarity ensued in the season two episode, The Jacket, in which Jerry and George meet Elaine's no-nonsense father Alton Benes (a perfectly cast Lawrence Tierney). The problem was that Tierney’s casting was too perfect.
The film veteran was such a naturally intense and intimidating person that he not only frightened Jerry and George on-screen but every member of the cast and crew off-screen. A particularly tense moment occurred when Tierney was spotted taking a butcher’s knife from Jerry’s apartment set. When Jerry confronted him about it, Lawrence mimed stabbing him with that knife.
After that, the plan to have Alton Benes as a recurring was dropped and Tierney was never asked back onto the show much to the delight of everyone…except the audience.