Actor Hiram Kasten passed away in western New York after a prolonged illness. In the last six months, Kasten had informed friends of his terminal condition.
Actor Hiram Kasten, known for his contributions to stand-up comedy and appearances on popular network TV shows like “Seinfeld,” passed away in western New York after a lengthy illness, his family announced on Sunday.
Hiram Kasten Dies at 71
Kasten was 71 when he died in Batavia, near Buffalo, as noted in a statement on his Facebook page.
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“Hiram Kasten loved show business and lived his dream of being in show business,” his family shared in their announcement.
Although the specific cause of death was not disclosed, the family revealed that he had been battling various illnesses over the past seven years, including prostate cancer.
In the last six months, Kasten had informed friends of his terminal condition.
“His great comedy and artistic community rallied to his side,” his family said. “Some made trips to Batavia to visit him, and late-night Zoom meetings with friends on both coasts often lasted into the early morning hours.”
A Bronx native and devoted Yankees fan, Kasten was a fixture in New York City’s comedy circuit during the 1980s, performing at renowned clubs like The Comic Strip and Comedy Cellar.
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His passion for comedy was evident in his rigorous schedule, often performing multiple gigs over weekends, including in distant places like New Jersey and Staten Island, before returning to Manhattan for late-night shows.
“It was a big deal to have a show outside of town and then two or three spots in town on the weekend,” the Facebook statement read. “One could actually make a living, and he did!”
Kasten eventually relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting, finding steady work throughout the 90s and early 2000s. His credits include roles on “7th Heaven,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Mad About You,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “L.A. Law,” “Seinfeld,” and “It’s Like, You Know…”
On “Seinfeld,” he appeared in three episodes between 1993 and 1994 as a co-worker of Elaine Benes, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
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In 2012, Hiram Kasten and his wife, Diana Kastenbaum, moved to Batavia to be near her aging father. Diana ran for Congress in 2016.
Kasten is survived by his wife, Diana, and their daughter, Millicent Jade Kastenbaum.