20 Mind-Blowing Facts You Didn't Know About Seinfeld
12. Kramer Is Based On Seinfeld's Old Neighbour
Kramer is so eccentric and goofy, it's hard to believe he's based on a real person. While Larry David was writing the first episode, he based the character on his own neighbour, Kenny Kramer.
Like his fictional counterpart, Kenny adores hot tubs, golf, fruit, and taking things out of fridges for seemingly no reason. Kenny constantly performed crazy stunts like managing a British reggae band, running for mayor in New York, selling electronic jewellery, or managing a karate champion.
Because Kenny had a habit of exploiting himself, Jerry Seinfeld didn’t want to call the character Kramer and instead, suggested calling him Kessler. David refused, saying the name “Kramer” sounded right. Seinfeld's suspicions were justified since Kenny created a bus tour that revolved around the show.
When Larry David asked Kenny if he could base a character on him for the series, he refused at first unless he could play himself. This scenario was incorporated into Season 4 when Seinfeld tries to make a series about his life.
In recent years, Kenny has become an ordained minister and goes by the title, Irreverent Kramer.