Nearly two decades after a racist outburst derailed his career, “Seinfeld” star Michael Richards has returned to the public stage. The 76-year-old comedian recently launched a new tour, “Michael Richards: An Evening of Conversations, Questions and Answers,” where he candidly addressed the 2006 incident and his subsequent 17-year hiatus from show business.
During the event, Richards directly addressed the career-altering moment at the Laugh Factory, where he was filmed yelling racial slurs at hecklers. “I was a very naughty, naughty man,” he told the audience, explaining that he reacted poorly to being interrupted during his set. He described his attempt to channel the tirade into a comedic portrayal of a racist character, admitting his “loosey-goosey” performance style “got me into some trouble.”
Following the incident, Richards chose to step away from the spotlight, turning down numerous acting offers. “I thought I would just back off and step into myself apart from show business,” he explained. He described this period as an “exodus” dedicated to self-reflection, during which he spent years analyzing his thoughts and feelings. Richards told the crowd he found solace in nature, spending time in the Santa Monica mountains to “gather a kind of order within myself.”
Richards rose to fame in the 1990s as the eccentric Cosmo Kramer on the iconic sitcom “Seinfeld,” a role that earned him three Emmy Awards. His career began in comedy clubs in the 1970s and included a regular spot on the sketch show “Fridays” before his breakout role.
His return coincides with the release of his 2024 memoir, “Entrances and Exits,” in which he wrote, “I took myself out.” Richards has stated that his time away was essential for understanding what led to the outburst. “I found faith along the way,” he said in a recent interview, emphasizing the importance of learning from one’s mistakes. Reflecting on the 2006 performance, he acknowledged he was “swept up by the rage” and should have left the stage rather than continue.
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