Michael Richards

Actor Michael Richards is seen here at the 40th Anniversary of the Improv on Aug. 23, 2002, in Los Angeles. The "Seinfeld" alum got into hot water in November 2006 when he spewed racial remarks at a heckler in the crowd during a set at The Laugh Factory in West Hollywood.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld, actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and actor Michael Richards attend the release party for the DVD of the first three seasons of "Seinfeld," held at the Rainbow Room in New York's Rockefeller Center Nov. 17, 2004. Richards gained fame as part of that hot show's ensemble cast.

Michael Richards takes part in a June 1998 fundraiser in Los Angeles for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Richards played Cosmo Kramer in the classic TV series "Seinfeld from 1989 to 1998.

The cast of "Seinfeld" play with the award they won for outstanding ensemble performance in a comedy series (television) during the Inaugural Screen Actors Guild Award Show Feb. 25, 1995, in Los Angeles. From left are Michael Richards, Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Michael Richards acts on the set of his new pilot, April 6, 2000, in Los Angeles. The former "Seinfeld" star played a wacky comic who throws away all his furniture before heading to L.A. for a career in show business. The series bombed in one season.

Co-stars Michael Richards and Amy Farrington promote "The Michael Richards Show" at NBC's party held for the Television Critics Association at Universal City Walk in Los Angeles, July 9, 2000. The show bombed, one of the failures that rise to the myth of the curse on "Seinfeld" spinoffs.

Grand Marshall Michael Richards waves from the back of the lead ca in the Pacific Palisades Independence Day Parade on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, July 4, 2000. The 57-year-old actor has failed to find another role to match his Kramer character.

Actor Michael Richards poses with George Boldwell at the Susana Mercedes fashion show for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios, April 2, 2004, in Culver City, Calif.

Actor Michael Richards attends The Global Vison for Peace launch of Artists for the United Nations, Feb. 26, 2004, in Los Angeles. A California native, he attended California Institute of the Arts and graduated from Evergreen State College in Washington.

Actor Michael Richards poses with the horse Templado, the main attraction of the the Cavalia Show, May 14, 2004, in Glendale, Calif.

Michael Richards arrives at the premiere of the movie "The Ladies Man," Oct. 10, 2000, in Hollywood, Calif. Richards' film credits include "Unstrung Heroes" (1995) and "Trial and Error" (1997).

Michael Richards performs during the "Late Night Lounge," a special show with the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, March 1, 2002, in Aspen, Colo.

Actor Michael Richards and his wife attend NBC's 75th Anniversary All-Star Reception, Jan. 9, 2002, in Los Angeles. Now divorced, Richards has one daughter.

Actor Michael Richards attends the Opening Night Performance of "Afterbirth: Kathy and Mo's Greatest Hits," Feb.27, 2004, at Canon Theater in Beverly Hills, Calif. Richards, who founded a short-lived improv group with actor Ed Begley Jr., was doing stand-up when he was discovered by Billy Crystal, who cast him in a comedy special.

Actor Michael Richards appears during the tribute to legend Raquel Welch, March 4, 2004, at LACMA, in Los Angeles.

Michael Richards arrives at the 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Sept. 10, 2000.