The 'Real' Costanza Stands Up
We've all heard about the so-called "real" Kramer. Now, get ready to meet the man who says he's the inspiration for Seinfeld's George Costanza. Mike Costanza, a 42-year-old realtor and actor from Long Island, NY, says he has been buddies with Jerry Seinfeld since their Queens College days. When Jerry created the NBC sitcom, says Costanza, he named his schlubby TV pal after his old college chum � and borrowed some of his characteristics, too. Now, just in time for the show's May 14 finale, Costanza promises to return the favor in a new book, The Real Seinfeld: As Told by the Real Costanza (Wordwise, $14.95).
But wait: Isn't George � played on the show by Jason Alexander (pictured) � supposed to be based on Seinfeld cocreator Larry David?
"I'm sure the character has a lot of Larry David in him, but when you get a bald, chubby guy from Queens who's Jerry's old friend, you know he's based on me, too," says Costanza.
The similarities between George and Mike are undeniable, says Costanza. Not only do the characters share the same last name, they were both dubbed "Can't-Stand-Ya" by high-school gym teachers, they both like to go to the bathroom shirtless and they both did a stint as hand models. "I have very nice hands," says Costanza, whose mitts have appeared in commercials for ESPN and Remington razors.
Costanza even got to make a guest appearance on Seinfeld: He played an angry truck driver in "The Parking Spot" episode, which aired during the '91-'92 season. Alexander, he says, was very gracious: "He said, 'Thanks for the part.' "
So what does Seinfeld think of his old buddy's book? "He felt he had enough publicity," says Costanza, "but once he reads it, I think he'll get a kick out of it." Susan Campbell Beachy