Celebrities

‘Seinfeld’ star Michael Richards’ memoir will cover 2006 racist outburst that led to ‘lifelong spiritual quest’

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Published Nov. 9, 2023, 1:10 p.m. ET
Michael Richards
Michael Richards, who played Cosmo Kramer on the NBC hit show "Seinfeld," is opening up about his 2006 racist tirade in a new book. John McCoy/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

Cosmo Kramer is cutting loose.

Actor Michael Richards will open up about his infamous 2006 racist tirade in his new book, “Entrances and Exits.”

“My book is a hymn to the irrational, the senseless spirit that breaks the whole into pieces, a reflection on the seemingly absurd difficulties that intrude upon us all,” Richards, 74, writes in the book’s introduction, per People. “It’s like Harpo Marx turning us about, shaking up my plans, throwing me for a loop. Upset and turmoil is with us all the time.”

“It’s at the basis of comedy. It’s the pratfall we all take. It’s the unavoidable mistake we didn’t expect,” the actor continued. “It’s everywhere I go. It’s in the way that I am, both light and dark, good and not-so-good. It’s my life.” 

The memoir — which is slated to hit bookshelves in June — promises a plethora of bombshells. The “UHF” actor will also reflect on his “shameful” outburst when he was filmed hurling racist slurs at hecklers during a 2006 stand-up show in Los Angeles.

According to a video obtained by TMZ in November 2006, the actor was jokingly picking on an audience member before launching into a full-blown rant.

“Fifty years ago we’d have you upside down with a f–king fork up your ass,” Richards shouted before calling the man a racial slur several times.

The book also touches on his time spent on the hit sitcom "Seinfeld" which ran from 1989 to 1998 claiming that her and his castmates were "so interrelated."
The book also touches on his time spent on the hit sitcom “Seinfeld,” which ran from 1989 to 1998. Richards claims that he and his castmates were “so interrelated.” Castle Rock Entertainment/courtesy Everett Collection
The upcoming memoir — which is slated to hit bookshelves in June 2024 — promises a plethora of bombshells including the time the "Coneheads" star hurled racist remarks at a pair of hecklers during a 2006 stand-up show in Los Angeles.
The memoir — which is slated to hit bookshelves in June — promises a plethora of bombshells, including discussing the time the actor hurled racist remarks at hecklers during a 2006 stand-up show in Los Angeles. AP Photo/NBC

One audience member, who had had enough of the tirade, was then seen throwing an object at the comedian and telling him to knock it off.

“That’s unf–king called for — ain’t necessary,” the patron shouted at the comic.

In his memoir, Richards claimed the incident “drove him to a lifelong spiritual quest, one that would help him move forward from apology and accountability to a greater appreciation for our shared humanity, a quest that continues to this day almost eighteen years later,” according to publisher Permuted Press.

The actor will also dive into his time on “Seinfeld” with co-stars Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jason Alexander. The NBC sitcom ran for nine seasons, from 1989 to 1998.

Actor Michael Richards is opening up about his infamous 2006 incident that left his comedy career in tatters and other previously never before heard stories in a brand new book called "Entrances and Exits."
Richards will open up about the incident, which left his career in tatters, and other previously never-before-heard stories in “Entrances and Exits.” Permuted Press
"Naturally this charge created us," Richards continued. "It motivated us to work hard, to unfold greatness, to elevate comedy, and to serve it as gracefully as possible."
“Naturally this charge created us,” Richards said of his closeness with his “Seinfeld” co-stars. “It motivated us to work hard, to unfold greatness, to elevate comedy, and to serve it as gracefully as possible.” Courtesy Everett Collection

“Truly, a four in one, whole and so charged with inspiration,” Richards said of his former castmates.

“Naturally this charge created us,” Richards continued. “It motivated us to work hard, to unfold greatness, to elevate comedy, and to serve it as gracefully as possible.”

Additionally, Richards’ memoir will include a look at his tumultuous childhood being raised by a schizophrenic aunt and his time in the Army after being drafted in 1970.