He is best known for playing the role of Cosmo Kramer on popular television sitcom Seinfeld from 1989 to 1998.
And on Wednesday, Michael Richards looked unrecognisable as he surprised fans with a rare TV appearance.
The American actor, 74, looked much different from his time on the show, sporting grey hair as he discussed his new memoir Entrances and Exits on Channel Seven’s Sunrise.
During the interview, Michael revealed why he decided to write a memoir 18 years after stepping away from the spotlight.
‘It’s a memoir all the way up to my age now at 75, and I have a lot of life to talk about since I was little and all the way through into show business,’ he explained.
Michael Richards looked unrecognisable and surprised fans as he made a rare TV appearance on Wednesday
‘Certainly how I came into myself as an actor and how I discovered myself to be an artist. I was working with my journals and I started to write about the Seinfeld show and as I got into it, it started to turn into a book.’
He also opened up about his infamous tirade at the Laugh Factory in 2006 where he exploded in anger and hurled racist slurs at hecklers during a stand-up show.
‘I had to start with that forgiveness in myself, ultimately. How do I move on from such a despicable night? Bad night. Horrible night. Said horrible things. That was 18 years ago,’ he admitted.
‘There was a lot of self-reflection. And moving deeper into myself. Interesting how a situation like that is a catalyst for moving towards a better me. So that’s it. Recovery, forgiveness and reconciliation.’
The American actor, 74, looked much different from his time on Seinfeld as he discussed his new memoir Entrances and Exits on Channel Seven’s Sunrise
In November 2006, shocking footage of Richards emerged of him repeatedly calling an audience member, who interrupted his act, a racial slur.
‘Throw his ass out…He’s a n*****! Look there’s a n*****!’ Richards can be heard saying in the video.
During his meltdown, Richards repeatedly branded black members of the audience ‘n******’ while yelling: ‘Fifty years ago we’d have you upside down with a f***ing fork up your a***.’
Following the shocking incident, he went on David Letterman to express his regret as he stated: ‘I’m really busted up over this and I’m very, very sorry. I am not a racist, that’s what’s so insane about this. I said some pretty nasty things to some African-Americans, a lot of trash talk.’
During the interview, Michael revealed why he decided to write a memoir 18 years after stepping away from the spotlight
The father-of-two continued: ‘You know, I’m a performer… I push the envelope; I work in a very uncontrolled manner on stage. I do a lot of free association, it’s spontaneous, I go into character.’
According to The Guardian, at the time, his two-minute tirade left the audience ‘confused’ and ‘uncertain whether the extreme language was part of Richards’ act.’
The publication noted that, at one point, ‘the target of Richards’ comments shouted back at Richards several times, telling him that the insults were uncalled for.’
‘I have a lot of life to talk about since I was little and all the way through into show business,’ he explained. Richards’ new memoir is out now
