The best recurring Seinfeld characters

Aside from the four main characters, no other cast member appeared on Seinfeld more than the cashier at Monk's coffee shop. Though the late Cohen, whose character name was her real one but spelled differently, had few lines during the show's run, she is seen on camera in 101 episodes. And we know she would never have taken George's doodled $20 bill.   

Now, Jerry's parents aren't as comically deranged as George's, but they have their moments. Jerry's mom, Helen (Liz Sheridan), is up by the crack of dawn, likes the thermostat high, and is the perfect mother to her son — and Kramer — as long as she's hundreds of miles away in Florida and not trashing expensive hotel rooms.

The legendary Lloyd Bridges shined in his brief time as past-his-prime strong man Izzy Mandelbaum, a friend of Jerry's parents in Florida. Owner of the Magic Pan crepe restaurant, Mandelbaum had no trouble mocking Jerry for his puny physique. Even though he was up in age, he tried to whip him into shape. "It's go time!" 

Played by the great Bob Balaban, Russell was the president of NBC who became infatuated with Elaine to the point that he quit his frivolous job at the network to join Greenpeace with the hope of impressing her. He's the guy who made "Jerry" a possibility and has a thing for pasta primavera — only if it's not sneezed upon.

He was Elaine's boss at Pendant Publishing and even had George as an employee for a time. Mr. Lippman, portrayed best by character-actor Richard Fancy, liked cigars, the Yankees, and even Elaine at one point. In later years, we saw Lippman running his own bakery, "Top of the Muffin to You!," which only sold muffin tops.

George's inept boss at Kruger Industrial Smoothing — you know, the guys who "botched the Statue of Liberty job" — was about as incompetent as Costanza professionally. Played by the late Daniel von Bargen, Kruger celebrated Festivus with the Costanzas, did his part for skin cancer prevention, and even helped his family throw George's clothes into the ocean years before they met.

George's immediate boss with the New York Yankees was slightly more competent than Costanza himself. Played by veteran actor Richard Herd, Wilhelm was taken in by a cult posing as a carpet-cleaning company — much to the dismay of George, who wondered why he was not its choice. He left the Yankees to be the head scout for the Mets, again upsetting George.

Played by Peter Keleghan and Matt McCoy, the good-looking Braun was from George's neighborhood. He took an interest in Elaine, but while working for New York City Mayor David Dinkins, he took her advice that the citizens of the Big Apple should wear name tags. Dinkins lost the election, and Braun had a nervous breakdown. Later, he was seen allegedly selling computers for George's dad and getting Jerry gum from China. 

Perhaps the greatest character in Seinfeld history never to be seen on camera, Sacamano was one of Kramer's friends who once worked at a condom factory, sold knock-off Russian hats down in Battery Park, and underwent a hernia operation gone wrong. Bob's father, Bob Sacamano Sr., lived in Florida selling second-rate electronic organizers.

We'd like to think Susan (Heidi Swedberg) was the love of George's life, but that's not true. In fact, George's knack for being cheap killed his fiancé via toxic wedding invitation envelopes. 

The "bra-less wonder" Sue Ellen Mischke (Brenda Strong) was fancied by Jerry and hated by Elaine. She was the heiress to the Oh Henry! candy bar fortune and even got some of the gang to head to India for her wedding to Pinter. Or Peter? Or whatever he called himself. Her appearances weren't many, but they were usually memorable. 

Portrayed mainly by the late Barney Martin, Morty was Jerry's dad but seemed to be at his comedic best while scheming with Kramer — whether selling raincoats or electronic organizers, always to no avail. His time in condo politics in Florida didn't go well, and he never got along with Jack Klompus.   

Voiced by Seinfeld co-creator, head writer, and executive producer Larry David, we never actually saw the front features of the famed Yankees owner when dealing with employee George or the rest of his staff. But we knew he favored calzones, Pat Benatar, and, perhaps not surprisingly, the antics of Costanza. He was usually a scene-stealer, even if not fully in a scene.  

Another of Elaine's bosses, Mr. Pitt (Ian Abercrombie) was freakishly obsessive-compulsive. He made eating a Snickers bar with a knife and fork trendy and could never find a perfect-fitting white pair of socks. Plus, it will be tough for him to get over the whole Moland Springs disaster.

Chiles was a successful lawyer (played by Phil Morris) unless representing Kramer for coffee burns or tobacco-aided skin issues. He was as shady as they came, along with his unseen associate, Dr. Bison, but Jackie was always good for a few laughs. Though, he could not keep Jerry and the gang from going to jail. 

"Crazy" really doesn't begin to describe one of Jerry's showbiz friends. Davola was a disgruntled wannabe entertainer out to get the world. He liked to dress up as the sad clown from the opera Pagliacci. Like others, he became obsessed with Elaine until she sprayed him in the eyes with her Binaca.

One of Jerry's "hack" comedian buddies, the annoying Bania was obsessed with Ovaltine jokes and eating at the trendy Mendy's restaurant. He liked soup and took a swing at the mentor-protege relationship. Portrayed brilliantly by Steve Hytner, Bania was harmless by nature and looked pretty good in a new suit.

Another member of Jerry's dysfunctional family. Uncle Leo (the late Len Lesser) was quick to claim anti-semitism and boast about his son, Jeffrey. Unfortunately, Leo often found himself in a jam, whether opening an explosive package or allegedly shoplifting. He was also fond of watches.

Another of Kramer's friends, Mickey (Danny Woodburn) was known for his hot temper and inability to keep a wife. He was patriotic to a fault and tried to make it as an actor before getting called out for "lifting." His relationship with Kramer could be combative at times, but they worked well together when it came to comedic value. His father (played by Robert Wagner) was not a fan of Jerry.

George's parents stole many scenes throughout the series, and Estelle (Estelle Harris) had her share. Sure, she was annoying and never stopped pestering George, who claimed she had never laughed. She was also pretty good at Mahjong, but her meatloaf was mushy, and her salmon croquettes were oily. And that doll on the shelf looked a lot like her.

It's hard to imagine anyone other than John O'Hurley donning the role of the eccentric, jet-setting founder of the J. Peterman Company. When he hired Elaine as a copywriter for his catalog, hilarity ensued. He's high-end all the way and had a great voice for radio. Peterman also had a dark side and went mad at one point. But we still loved to hear him talk and tell stories.

Before Bryan Cranston starred as Walter White in Breaking Bad, he made a name as the suave, sometimes smarmy, and often horny dentist to Jerry and Kramer. He had a thing for Elaine and was known to keep adult magazines in his waiting room. 

Fan of the "high-five," Arby's and, of course, the New Jersey Devils, the mechanic-turned-car salesman, Elaine's on-again, off-again boyfriend could be laid back and sympathetic but also passionate and downright strange while staring into nowhere. Plus, who else besides the Patrick Warburton-played Puddy could pull off a fur coat or 8-ball jacket?

Happy Festivus! How many TV characters are responsible for creating a holiday that fans actually celebrate? Jerry Stiller's portrayal of George's crazed and hot-tempered father was priceless. The more the onion of Frank Costanza was peeled back through the years, the more we understood how George turned out as he did. But who knew Frank was such a good cook?

It's hard to top the comedic insanity of Frank, but Newman did it quite easily. The portly mail carrier — not very good at his job and allegedly worked with "Son of Sam" David Berkowitz — was a friend to Kramer, sweet on Elaine, and Jerry's nemesis. From the Michigan bottle-deposit scam to the famed "second spitter" recreation, Wayne Knight's Chunky bar-lovin' Newman was one of the best supporting characters in sitcom history.