Seinfeld star Hiram Kasten dies at 71 after battling prostate cancer and Crohn's disease

Actor Hiram Kasten, best known for his stint on Seinfeld, has passed away at the age of 71. His passing was announced on his official Facebook page on Sunday.

His obituary, which described him as "a truly charming guy," confirmed that he died earlier that day after a seven-year battle with various illnesses, including prostate cancer and Crohn's disease, which he had dealt with all his life, The Mirror reports.

The much-loved comedian and actor had shared news of his terminal illness with close friends and family in the last six months. He received an overwhelming amount of love and support, with frequent Zoom calls from friends, which his wife Diana believes "prolonged his life for at least another two months to be able to laugh with his peers."

Throughout his life, Hiram became an iconic figure in the New York City comedy circuit, launching his stand-up career in 1978 after Jerry Seinfeld recommended him following an audition at The Comic Strip. He quickly became a fixture in the comedy world, delighting audiences throughout the '70s and '80s.

In addition to his stand-up, Hiram was also a talented actor, cherished for his role on the hit sitcom Seinfeld. He played Michael, a colleague of Elaine Benes, in three episodes.

His television career extended to other popular shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Saved By the Bell, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Everybody Loves Raymond, My Wife and Kids, and many others.

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