40 Photos of the Seinfeld Cast Then and Now

Playing a over-dramatized version of himself, Jerry Seinfeld was the stand-up comedian and considered to be the show's "voice of reason" amongst the wackiness of the people surrounding him.

Before creating and starring on the series, Jerry Seinfeld had a small role on the TV series Benson and some success as a stand-up comedian.

After his success on the show, Seinfeld continued to do stand-up comedy and starred in a string of movies, including Bee Movie. In 2012, he premiered his successful web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, now streaming on Netflix.

Ah, George Costanza: He's balding, living with his parents, and perpetually trying to fix his mistakes in the worst ways possible. But we can't help but love the guy.

Before he scored the role, Jason Alexander had an established theater career in New York and had starred in a few films, including The Burning and The Mosquito Coast. He also had a role in Pretty Woman during his run on the show.

Since then, Alexander has been making the rounds in television, having small roles on shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Orville and Young Sheldon. He has also stepped behind the camera, directing episodes of Mike and Molly, Criminal Minds and Franklin and Bash.

Elaine Benes was Jerry's ex-girlfriend-turned-friend, often dealing with some hilarious new romantic entanglement. Also, her dance moves were iconic. Or iconically bad. You be the judge.

Before she became famous for playing Elaine, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was a cast member on Saturday Night Live and starred in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Since then, Louis-Dreyfus has been the central character on a number of successful television shows, including The New Adventures of Old Christine and the Emmy Award-winning Veep. She also appeared briefly on Seinfeld creator Larry David's other series Curb Your Enthusiasm.

With his unique sense of fashion and equally unique way of interacting with the world, Cosmo Kramer—Jerry's next-door neighbor—was always getting himself into bizarre hijinks.

Before he was on the series, Michael Richards had many small roles in various films and television shows, including Night Court, St. Elsewhere, Cheers and Problem Child.

Following his time on the series, Richards went back to performing stand-up comedy and starring in his own series, The Michael Richards Show. In 2006, he went on a racist tirade while performing at an L.A. comedy club; he later apologized and left the public eye for a while. He returned to television in 2013, starring in Kirstie Alley's series Kirstie.

How many times did Jerry clench his fist and say "Newman!" with a murderous glint in his eye? Newman first appeared in the second season, becoming Kramer's friend and incessantly annoying Jerry when not on the job as a postal worker.

Before becoming a staple on the show, Wayne Knight had starred in some major films, including JFK, Dirty Dancing and Jurrassic Park.

Since then, Knight continued his success in television, starring as Don Orville in 3rd Rock from the Sun. He has also done many voiceover roles over the years, providing voices for movies such as Bee Movie, Kung Fu Panda andToy Story 2. From 2011 to 2015, he had a starring role on TVLand's The Exes.

How can Seinfeld fans ever forget Frank Costanza, aka the man who gave us all the holiday of Festivus to fight off commercialism during the holiday season?

Before he was on the show, Jerry Stiller was already an established actor, becoming part of the comedy duo Stiller and Meara with his late wife, Anne Meara. He had also starred in films like the 1987 adaptation of Hairspray and Seize the Day.

After his stint on the show, Stiller continued to act, starring in The King of Queens for a nine-year run, along with starring in movies like Zoolander with his son, actor Ben Stiller. He also made small appearances on Sex and the City and The Good Wife.

As the woman who George claimed never laughed a day in her life, Estelle Costanza was the voice of reason for her husband and son, often arguing with them over their goofy antics.

Before she starred on the show, Estelle Harris was a working actress, starring in movies like Once Upon A Time in America and Stand and Deliver.

Since her time on the series, Harris had a recurring role on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and had a voiceover role as Mrs. Potato Head in the Toy Story franchise.

As Elaine's boss the last three seasons of the series, J. Peterman fired her twice—once for failing a drug test after consuming a poppy-seed muffin and once again for disliking the film The English Patient.

Before appearing on the show, John O'Hurley had starred in a few made-for-television films such as Billy the Kid and had a role on the television soap Santa Barbara.

Since his time on the series, O'Hurley starred on the first season of Dancing With the Stars and became the host of the annual Purina National Dog Show following the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. He has also done voiceover work and small appearances in shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch and All My Children.

As George's on-and-off girlfriend turned fiancee, Susan Ross worked for NBC for being fired for starting a relationship with George. She eventually died from chemical poisoning after licking all the envelopes of their wedding invitations.

Before the show, Heidi Swedberg had small roles in shows like Thirtysomething and films such as Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael and Hot Shots!.

Who can forget Dr. Tim Whatley, aka the man who helps create the infamous anti-Dentite line? The character first appeared on the series in 1994, recurring multiple times throughout the series' nine-year run.

Before Bryan Cranston was featured on the show, he had done a number of voiceovers and had starred in a few films, including Amazon Women On the Moon and Dead Space.

Since his appearance on the series, Cranston has become quite an accomplished actor, starring in high-budget films and various hit series, including Malcolm in the Middle and Breaking Bad. He also has flourished on Broadway, winning Tony Awards for his turns as LBJ in All the Way and Howard Beale in Network.