Jason Alexander: Why Seinfeld Never TRIED to be Jewish

Actor Jason Alexander reflects on the nature of acting, comparing his early view of it as a self-serving passion with his mother's belief that a meaningful life must be dedicated to serving others.

He describes how fan interactions during the height of Seinfeld changed his perspective. Hearing from viewers going through dark times who found comfort and laughter through the show revealed to him that entertainment can indeed serve a deeper purpose.

Alexander also discusses the inclusion of Jewish humor in Seinfeld, explaining that creators Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David focused entirely on what was funny rather than taking a political stance or pushing an agenda.

Key takeaways

• Jason Alexander initially viewed acting as a self-serving pursuit compared to traditional service professions like medicine.
• Hearing fan stories about how Seinfeld helped them cope during difficult times reshaped Jason's perspective on the value of entertainment.
• Jewish themes in Seinfeld were written purely for comedy rather than to convey a specific message.
• Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David prioritized jokes and humor above plot, character stance, or external expectations.

Highlights

• 0:02 — Acting as a passionate and self-serving pursuit
• 0:44 — Jason's mother and the concept of living a life of service
• 1:55 — How Seinfeld fan interactions changed Jason's perspective
• 2:46 — Exploring Jewish humor on Seinfeld
• 3:40 — Prioritizing comedy over message in Seinfeld

00:00:00 The Utility and Joy of Acting
00:00:36 A Mother's Call to Service
00:01:36 Finding Purpose Through Seinfeld Fans
00:02:40 Jewish Culture in Seinfeld
00:03:08 Pure Comedy Over Message

WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.200
You<00:00:00.120> have<00:00:00.280> a<00:00:00.320> quote<00:00:00.640> that<00:00:00.800> I<00:00:00.840> really<00:00:01.080> like<00:00:01.320> that<00:00:01.400> I<00:00:01.440> want<00:00:01.560> to<00:00:01.640> read<00:00:01.760> back<00:00:01.960> to.

00:00:02.200 --> 00:00:09.240
Acting<00:00:02.600> is<00:00:02.720> a<00:00:02.800> pretty<00:00:03.120> useless<00:00:03.560> profession.<00:00:04.280> It<00:00:04.440> serves<00:00:04.720> the<00:00:04.880> actor<00:00:05.360> because<00:00:05.720> it<00:00:05.800> is<00:00:05.920> our<00:00:06.080> passion<00:00:06.520> and<00:00:06.680> joy<00:00:07.320> and<00:00:07.440> it<00:00:07.520> can<00:00:07.720> provide<00:00:08.080> great<00:00:08.320> joy<00:00:08.480> to<00:00:08.560> the<00:00:08.680> audience<00:00:09.080> as

00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:17.520
well.<00:00:10.360> I<00:00:11.160> just<00:00:11.400> appreciate<00:00:12.040> you<00:00:12.160> saying<00:00:12.480> that<00:00:12.680> 'cause<00:00:12.920> I<00:00:13.000> feel<00:00:13.240> the<00:00:13.320> same<00:00:13.680> way<00:00:14.160> and<00:00:14.280> I<00:00:14.360> think<00:00:14.560> a<00:00:14.600> lot<00:00:14.800> of<00:00:14.920> time,<00:00:15.760> you<00:00:15.880> know,<00:00:16.280> actors<00:00:16.720> sort<00:00:16.920> of<00:00:17.040> speak<00:00:17.360> as

00:00:17.520 --> 00:00:24.400
if<00:00:18.480> you<00:00:18.600> know,<00:00:18.720> there's<00:00:18.920> a<00:00:19.000> higher<00:00:19.360> calling<00:00:19.880> there<00:00:20.160> or<00:00:20.280> they're<00:00:20.480> really<00:00:21.440> impacting<00:00:22.120> things<00:00:22.440> in<00:00:22.560> a<00:00:22.600> meaningful<00:00:23.280> way.

00:00:24.400 --> 00:00:30.880
Which<00:00:24.520> of<00:00:24.600> course<00:00:24.840> entertainment<00:00:25.560> and<00:00:25.720> joy<00:00:26.160> and<00:00:26.480> you<00:00:26.560> know,<00:00:27.400> feeling<00:00:27.720> like<00:00:27.880> you're<00:00:27.960> being<00:00:28.200> seen<00:00:28.800> with<00:00:28.920> what<00:00:29.040> you're<00:00:29.240> is<00:00:29.560> is<00:00:29.720> hugely<00:00:30.040> important<00:00:30.400> but<00:00:30.520> at<00:00:30.600> the<00:00:30.680> end<00:00:30.800> of

00:00:30.880 --> 00:00:33.840
the<00:00:30.960> day,<00:00:31.800> you're<00:00:31.960> doing<00:00:32.200> it<00:00:32.240> 'cause<00:00:32.400> you<00:00:32.560> like<00:00:32.800> doing<00:00:33.120> it.

00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:36.160
[laughter]<00:00:33.973> That's<00:00:34.107> what<00:00:34.240> you<00:00:34.373> got<00:00:34.507> [laughter]<00:00:34.640> Do<00:00:34.773> it<00:00:34.907> for.<00:00:35.040> Yeah,<00:00:35.173> you<00:00:35.307> may<00:00:35.440> stumble.

00:00:36.160 --> 00:00:44.280
I<00:00:37.000> found<00:00:37.920> that<00:00:38.160> I<00:00:38.280> stumbled<00:00:38.960> into<00:00:39.280> a<00:00:39.360> grace<00:00:39.760> that<00:00:39.960> I<00:00:40.040> didn't<00:00:40.360> realize<00:00:40.800> was<00:00:40.960> possible<00:00:41.560> in<00:00:41.680> my<00:00:41.840> profession<00:00:42.480> and<00:00:42.600> I<00:00:42.800> I've<00:00:42.960> told<00:00:43.240> this<00:00:43.360> story<00:00:43.600> a<00:00:43.640> couple<00:00:43.840> times<00:00:44.040> but<00:00:44.160> I'll

00:00:44.280 --> 00:00:52.360
truncate<00:00:44.760> it<00:00:44.840> and<00:00:44.960> share<00:00:45.160> it<00:00:45.240> with<00:00:45.360> you.<00:00:45.920> So,<00:00:46.880> my<00:00:47.080> mom<00:00:47.400> was<00:00:47.560> a<00:00:47.600> nurse<00:00:48.000> and<00:00:48.120> a<00:00:48.160> nurse<00:00:48.440> educator<00:00:49.080> all<00:00:49.280> her<00:00:49.400> life<00:00:49.640> and<00:00:49.760> she<00:00:50.000> really<00:00:50.440> did<00:00:50.640> want<00:00:50.800> me<00:00:50.880> to<00:00:51.000> go<00:00:51.160> into<00:00:51.480> medicine.

00:00:52.360 --> 00:00:54.960
I<00:00:52.400> mean,<00:00:52.520> she<00:00:53.040> she<00:00:53.200> tried<00:00:53.520> I<00:00:53.640> had<00:00:53.840> many<00:00:54.040> jobs<00:00:54.360> in<00:00:54.440> the<00:00:54.520> hospital.

00:00:54.960 --> 00:01:02.840
She<00:00:55.120> really<00:00:55.400> tried<00:00:55.640> to<00:00:55.720> push<00:00:55.960> me<00:00:56.080> that<00:00:56.280> way.<00:00:57.320> And<00:00:57.520> when<00:00:57.720> I<00:00:57.800> knew<00:00:58.160> that<00:00:59.040> you<00:00:59.120> know,<00:00:59.280> I<00:00:59.320> was<00:00:59.480> going<00:00:59.680> to<00:01:00.480> potentially<00:01:00.880> have<00:01:01.080> some<00:01:01.240> successes<00:01:01.800> in<00:01:01.920> the<00:01:02.000> acting<00:01:02.240> and<00:01:02.320> I<00:01:02.360> was<00:01:02.480> certainly

00:01:02.840 --> 00:01:06.040
going<00:01:02.960> to<00:01:03.040> pursue<00:01:03.440> it.<00:01:03.920> I<00:01:04.040> actually<00:01:04.360> said<00:01:04.559> to<00:01:04.640> her,<00:01:05.560> "Sorry,<00:01:05.800> mom."

00:01:06.040 --> 00:01:11.640
She<00:01:06.320> because<00:01:06.600> she<00:01:06.720> always<00:01:06.960> used<00:01:07.080> to<00:01:07.160> say<00:01:08.400> the<00:01:08.840> the<00:01:09.080> greatest<00:01:09.560> life<00:01:09.760> you<00:01:09.840> can<00:01:09.960> live<00:01:10.120> is<00:01:10.240> a<00:01:10.280> life<00:01:10.520> of<00:01:10.640> service.

00:01:11.640 --> 00:01:18.000
If<00:01:11.760> you<00:01:11.920> can<00:01:12.080> live<00:01:12.240> a<00:01:12.280> life<00:01:12.560> of<00:01:12.680> service<00:01:13.200> to<00:01:13.320> other<00:01:13.480> people,<00:01:14.360> no<00:01:14.440> matter<00:01:14.680> what<00:01:14.840> you<00:01:14.920> do<00:01:16.360> you're<00:01:17.040> in<00:01:17.280> the<00:01:17.360> sweet<00:01:17.640> spot.

00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:23.160
[laughter]<00:01:18.237> Yeah.<00:01:18.474> [laughter]<00:01:18.711> And<00:01:18.949> I'd<00:01:19.186> said<00:01:19.423> to<00:01:19.660> her,<00:01:19.897> "I<00:01:20.134> think<00:01:20.371> I'm<00:01:20.609> kind<00:01:20.846> of<00:01:21.083> serving<00:01:21.320> me."

00:01:23.160 --> 00:01:31.280
[laughter]<00:01:23.436> It's<00:01:23.712> pretty<00:01:23.988> good.<00:01:24.263> [laughter]<00:01:24.539> I<00:01:24.815> don't<00:01:25.091> know<00:01:25.367> how<00:01:25.643> to<00:01:25.919> I'll<00:01:26.194> try<00:01:26.470> and<00:01:26.746> do<00:01:27.022> some<00:01:27.298> other<00:01:27.574> nice<00:01:27.850> things<00:01:28.126> along<00:01:28.401> the<00:01:28.677> way<00:01:28.953> but<00:01:29.229> I<00:01:29.505> think<00:01:29.781> my<00:01:30.057> my<00:01:30.332> general<00:01:30.608> uh<00:01:30.884> work<00:01:31.160> in

00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:39.680
this<00:01:31.480> life<00:01:31.720> is<00:01:31.800> going<00:01:31.920> to<00:01:32.000> be<00:01:32.120> very<00:01:32.400> self-serving.<00:01:33.800> And<00:01:33.920> it<00:01:34.000> wasn't<00:01:34.320> really<00:01:34.560> till<00:01:34.720> I<00:01:34.800> got<00:01:35.600> Seinfeld<00:01:36.120> and<00:01:36.240> Seinfeld<00:01:36.600> started<00:01:36.880> to<00:01:36.960> click<00:01:37.800> where<00:01:38.080> the<00:01:38.600> where<00:01:38.880> the<00:01:39.080> quality

00:01:39.680 --> 00:01:43.520
of<00:01:39.760> the<00:01:40.040> interactions<00:01:40.760> with<00:01:40.880> the<00:01:41.000> fans<00:01:41.480> changed<00:01:42.000> from,<00:01:42.480> "Hey<00:01:42.600> man,<00:01:42.840> I<00:01:42.880> love<00:01:43.080> your<00:01:43.200> work."

00:01:43.520 --> 00:01:46.360
"Hey,<00:01:43.760> you're<00:01:43.920> really<00:01:44.120> funny.<00:01:44.440> Hey,<00:01:44.720> that<00:01:44.960> all<00:01:45.160> that<00:01:45.400> all<00:01:45.520> that<00:01:45.760> good<00:01:46.000> stuff."

00:01:46.360 --> 00:01:49.360
[laughter]<00:01:46.580> Right.<00:01:46.800> [laughter]<00:01:47.020> Which<00:01:47.240> again<00:01:47.460> is<00:01:47.680> sort<00:01:47.900> of<00:01:48.120> like,<00:01:48.340> "You're<00:01:48.560> great."

00:01:49.360 --> 00:01:55.800
You're<00:01:49.680> great.<00:01:50.960> Into<00:01:51.760> what<00:01:51.960> happens<00:01:52.440> all<00:01:52.600> the<00:01:52.720> time<00:01:52.960> now,<00:01:53.120> especially<00:01:53.480> since<00:01:53.680> it's<00:01:53.840> still<00:01:54.200> out<00:01:54.360> there<00:01:54.480> in<00:01:54.560> a<00:01:54.600> big<00:01:54.840> way.

00:01:55.800 --> 00:02:04.840
I<00:01:56.040> hear<00:01:56.360> from<00:01:56.520> people<00:01:56.840> or<00:01:56.920> meet<00:01:57.120> people<00:01:58.600> every<00:01:59.120> week<00:01:59.920> who<00:02:00.720> come<00:02:00.960> up<00:02:01.080> and<00:02:01.200> say,<00:02:02.120> "I<00:02:02.280> was<00:02:02.440> going<00:02:02.680> through<00:02:03.280> dark<00:02:03.600> stuff."

00:02:04.840 --> 00:02:06.760
I<00:02:04.920> lost<00:02:05.640> a<00:02:05.800> parent<00:02:06.240> or<00:02:06.320> a<00:02:06.360> child.

00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:10.679
I<00:02:06.800> was<00:02:06.920> unemployed.<00:02:07.640> I<00:02:07.720> was<00:02:07.920> financially<00:02:08.960> My<00:02:09.160> health<00:02:09.479> was<00:02:09.640> gone.

00:02:10.679 --> 00:02:15.400
I<00:02:10.800> was<00:02:10.960> serving<00:02:11.320> overseas.<00:02:11.880> I<00:02:11.920> I<00:02:12.040> mean,<00:02:12.280> just<00:02:13.120> things<00:02:13.400> were<00:02:13.520> dark.

00:02:15.400 --> 00:02:22.800
You<00:02:15.720> got<00:02:16.040> me<00:02:16.360> through."<00:02:16.680> [laughter]<00:02:17.000> Wow.<00:02:17.320> [laughter]<00:02:17.640> I<00:02:17.960> could<00:02:18.280> watch<00:02:18.600> what<00:02:18.920> you<00:02:19.240> did<00:02:19.560> with<00:02:19.880> your<00:02:20.200> friends,<00:02:20.520> and<00:02:20.840> I<00:02:21.160> could<00:02:21.480> laugh<00:02:21.800> again.

00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:27.840
And<00:02:22.959> I<00:02:23.040> could<00:02:24.320> have<00:02:25.120> I<00:02:25.200> could<00:02:25.360> get<00:02:25.560> clean<00:02:25.959> for<00:02:26.120> a<00:02:26.160> little<00:02:26.400> bit.

00:02:27.840 --> 00:02:33.840
And<00:02:28.240> when<00:02:28.440> I<00:02:28.480> started<00:02:28.840> hearing<00:02:29.120> that<00:02:29.440> over<00:02:29.600> and<00:02:29.720> over<00:02:29.880> and<00:02:29.959> over,<00:02:30.160> I<00:02:30.200> went,<00:02:32.160> "There's<00:02:32.360> a<00:02:32.440> service<00:02:32.920> to<00:02:33.080> this."

00:02:33.840 --> 00:02:36.520
If<00:02:34.000> you're<00:02:34.160> lucky<00:02:34.440> enough,<00:02:35.160> there's<00:02:35.400> a<00:02:35.480> service<00:02:35.920> to<00:02:36.040> this."

00:02:36.520 --> 00:02:41.440
[laughter]<00:02:36.758> I<00:02:36.995> love<00:02:37.233> that.<00:02:37.471> I<00:02:37.708> love<00:02:37.946> I<00:02:38.184> love<00:02:38.421> hearing<00:02:38.659> that.<00:02:38.896> So,<00:02:39.134> let's<00:02:39.372> talk<00:02:39.609> about<00:02:39.847> Seinfeld,<00:02:40.085> that<00:02:40.322> old<00:02:40.560> chestnut.

00:02:41.440 --> 00:02:43.440
[laughter]<00:02:41.650> Seinfeld?<00:02:41.860> That<00:02:42.070> was<00:02:42.280> a<00:02:42.490> TV<00:02:42.700> show?<00:02:42.910> [laughter]<00:02:43.120> Yeah.

00:02:43.440 --> 00:02:46.240
Oh,<00:02:43.520> that's<00:02:44.080> That's<00:02:44.280> when<00:02:44.440> I<00:02:44.480> was<00:02:44.600> just<00:02:44.760> a<00:02:44.800> kid.<00:02:45.200> I<00:02:45.240> don't<00:02:45.360> remember<00:02:45.560> that<00:02:45.680> show.

00:02:46.240 --> 00:02:52.520
Okay,<00:02:46.480> so<00:02:47.000> Seinfeld,<00:02:47.440> very<00:02:47.760> Jewish<00:02:48.080> show<00:02:48.920> in<00:02:49.120> the<00:02:49.200> specific<00:02:49.840> New<00:02:50.080> York<00:02:50.959> Ashkenazi<00:02:51.640> kind<00:02:51.880> of<00:02:51.959> way.

00:02:52.520 --> 00:03:00.640
Are<00:02:52.640> there<00:02:52.880> any<00:02:53.520> particularly<00:02:54.720> fun<00:02:55.200> Jewy<00:02:55.720> bits<00:02:56.200> or<00:02:56.320> moments<00:02:57.040> that<00:02:57.480> stand<00:02:57.840> out<00:02:58.000> to<00:02:58.080> you<00:02:58.160> or<00:02:58.240> that<00:02:58.360> maybe<00:02:58.600> you<00:02:58.760> influenced<00:02:59.640> their<00:02:59.800> inclusion?

00:03:00.640 --> 00:03:09.320
[laughter]<00:03:01.016> Oh,<00:03:01.391> I<00:03:01.767> didn't<00:03:02.143> influence<00:03:02.518> crap.<00:03:02.894> No,<00:03:03.270> but<00:03:03.645> um<00:03:04.021> I<00:03:04.397> No,<00:03:04.772> I<00:03:05.148> think,<00:03:05.523> you<00:03:05.899> know,<00:03:06.275> when<00:03:06.650> Judaism<00:03:07.026> was<00:03:07.402> allowed<00:03:07.777> to,<00:03:08.153> you<00:03:08.529> know,<00:03:08.904> enter<00:03:09.280> the

00:03:09.320 --> 00:03:12.000
show,<00:03:10.760> it<00:03:10.880> was<00:03:11.040> always<00:03:11.360> really<00:03:11.640> fun.

00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:20.080
I<00:03:12.080> mean,<00:03:12.480> the<00:03:12.600> most<00:03:13.000> blatant,<00:03:13.480> 'cause<00:03:13.640> it<00:03:13.800> the<00:03:13.880> cards<00:03:14.200> are<00:03:14.280> on<00:03:14.400> the<00:03:14.519> table,<00:03:14.920> is<00:03:15.200> is<00:03:16.239> Bryan<00:03:16.560> Cranston's<00:03:16.920> character,<00:03:17.239> Tim<00:03:17.480> Whatley,<00:03:18.440> the<00:03:18.519> dentist<00:03:19.000> who<00:03:19.080> converts<00:03:19.480> to<00:03:19.600> Judaism

00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:26.160
for<00:03:20.322> the<00:03:20.564> jokes.<00:03:20.805> [laughter]<00:03:21.047> Just<00:03:21.289> wants<00:03:21.531> to<00:03:21.773> get<00:03:22.015> being<00:03:22.256> out<00:03:22.498> of<00:03:22.740> [laughter]<00:03:22.982> And<00:03:23.224> Jerry<00:03:23.465> being<00:03:23.707> offended<00:03:23.949> not<00:03:24.191> as<00:03:24.433> Jew,<00:03:24.675> but<00:03:24.916> as<00:03:25.158> a<00:03:25.400> comedian.

00:03:26.160 --> 00:03:34.280
That<00:03:26.360> kind<00:03:26.600> of<00:03:26.720> stuff<00:03:26.959> was<00:03:27.120> great.<00:03:27.680> When<00:03:28.000> they<00:03:28.200> allowed<00:03:28.720> themselves<00:03:30.040> to<00:03:30.239> embrace<00:03:31.280> these<00:03:31.519> characters<00:03:32.000> that<00:03:32.200> Jerry<00:03:32.480> and<00:03:32.600> Larry<00:03:32.920> knew<00:03:33.080> so<00:03:33.280> well<00:03:33.480> from<00:03:33.640> their<00:03:33.800> own<00:03:33.959> lives,

00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:37.040
yeah,<00:03:34.720> that<00:03:34.920> was<00:03:35.120> always<00:03:35.840> glorious<00:03:36.480> fun.

00:03:37.040 --> 00:03:40.200
I<00:03:37.120> know<00:03:37.280> people<00:03:37.640> think<00:03:37.880> there<00:03:37.959> was<00:03:38.080> some<00:03:38.239> sort<00:03:38.440> of<00:03:39.160> stance<00:03:39.760> about<00:03:40.080> it.

00:03:40.200 --> 00:03:42.519
There<00:03:40.320> really<00:03:41.360> wasn't.<00:03:41.880> Yeah,<00:03:42.120> no.

00:03:42.519 --> 00:03:50.920
Um<00:03:42.560> I<00:03:42.760> You<00:03:42.920> know,<00:03:43.920> Jerry<00:03:44.239> and<00:03:44.320> Larry<00:03:44.560> would<00:03:44.720> both<00:03:44.959> tell<00:03:45.160> you,<00:03:46.040> you<00:03:46.160> know,<00:03:46.720> character<00:03:47.360> was<00:03:47.519> not<00:03:47.680> important,<00:03:48.239> plot<00:03:48.600> was<00:03:48.720> not<00:03:48.880> important,<00:03:49.640> nothing<00:03:50.000> was<00:03:50.120> important.

00:03:50.920 --> 00:03:53.160
Funny.<00:03:51.194> [laughter]<00:03:51.469> Just<00:03:51.743> funny?<00:03:52.017> Jokes,<00:03:52.291> we<00:03:52.566> do<00:03:52.840> it.

00:03:53.160 --> 00:03:56.000
[laughter]<00:03:53.370> That's<00:03:53.580> That<00:03:53.790> was<00:03:54.000> it.