Batavia, New York – New York comedian Hiram Kasten has passed away at the age of 71. The news was confirmed by Fox News Digital. Kasten’s wife, Diana Kisiel Kastenbaum, announced his passing on Facebook, revealing that his health declined in 2017 while battling prostate cancer and Crohn’s disease.
In a heartfelt post, Diana mentioned that Kasten passed away in her arms on June 16, 2024, just hours after celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary. She shared that they got married in June 1986 and that Kasten was lovingly cared for by his wife until the end. A funeral service is set to take place in Forest Hills, New York.
Additionally, Kastenbaum revealed that a public memorial service will be held in Los Angeles later this summer, although specific dates have not been confirmed yet. The post mentioned that Kasten only disclosed the seriousness of his illness to friends in the final six months of his life.
Despite his illness, Kasten was surrounded by a supportive comedy and artistic community, who visited him in Batavia and organized late-night Zoom meetings with friends from both coasts. Diana expressed that these interactions brought laughter and joy to Kasten in his final months.
Kasten, known for his role as Michael in “Seinfeld” from 1993 to 1994, gained fame as a frequent performer at the Comic Strip in New York, where his friend Jerry Seinfeld also performed. He was a stand-up comedian who graced the stages of Improv, the Comedy Cellar, Carolines on Broadway, and Dangerfield’s throughout his career.
Diana shared that Seinfeld and Kasten had been friends for 45 years, with Seinfeld passing Kasten on his first audition to become a regular on the show. Kasten is survived by his wife Diana and his daughter Millicent Jade.