JTA
E
stelle Harris, the Jewish
actress who played
George Costanza’s
mother on the sitcom Seinfeld,
died April 2, 2022, at the age
of 93.
Harris played the role of
Estelle Costanza, the always
shrill and frequently apo-
plectic mother to George
Costanza, on the sitcom from
1992 until the show’s finale in
1998. According to Deadline,
the character of George’s
mother was named Estelle
before Harris landed the part
— but her name wasn’t the
only thing Harris shared with
her onscreen character.
“I’m not that different from
Estelle Costanza,” Harris told
the Chicago Tribune in 1995,
at the height of her Seinfeld
fame. “I understand her frus-
trations. She needs to break
away from her husband. She
would be much happier doing
her own thing. She doesn’t
need therapy. She needs more
love from George and her
husband. Then she’d be a per-
fectly delightful and delighted
human being.”
Harris was born in New
York City in 1928 where
her parents, Jews of Polish
descent, owned a candy
store in Manhattan. When
Harris was 7 years old, the
family moved to Tarentum,
Pennsylvania, where Harris
suffered from antisemitic bul-
lying at school. She quickly
turned to the theater, aided by
elocution lessons, and found
her calling.
Before working as a profes-
sional actress, Harris married
Sy Harris, a window blinds
salesman, with whom she had
three children. After staying at
home when her children were
young, she began her career
working at dinner theaters in
New York City in the 1970s.
Though Harris went on to
a prolific career recording
voiceovers for commercials
and playing minor characters
in movies and TV shows, she
became so identified with her
Seinfeld role that fans frequent-
ly stopped her on the street to
tell her she reminded them of
their own mothers.
Jason Alexander, who played
her character’s son George on
Seinfeld, remembered his “tv
mama” in a tweet April 3.
“One of my favorite people
has passed — my tv mama,
Estelle Harris. The joy of play-
ing with her and relishing her
glorious laughter was a treat. I
adore you, Estelle,” he wrote.
APRIL 14 • 2022 | 93
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Kalamazoo River.
Mr. Usher is survived
by four children, Lisa,
Ellen (Michael Rancilio),
Amy and Charles (Hope);
seven grandchildren; four
great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by
his parents, Charles and
Hannah Usher; siblings,
William, Morris and Reva;
daughter, Mary Belinda;
and ex-wife/dear friend,
Althea Dionne Usher.
Interment was at
Workmen’s Circle
Cemetery. Contributions
may be made to Hebrew
Memorial Chapel, 26640
Greenfield Road, Oak Park,
MI 48237. Arrangements by
Ira Kaufman Chapel.
SARA WEITZ,
67, of West
Bloomfield, died
March 31, 2022.
After an
18-month hard-
fought battle with glioblas-
toma, Sara died peacefully
at home with her family.
Sara’s greatest joy was
her family. She led a life of
kindness and selflessness.
Even during her health
battle, Sara was most con-
cerned that others were
comfortable and taken care
of. She was so excited about
the addition of Aiyla, her
first grandchild. One of
Sara’s greatest joys was tak-
ing a girls’ trip with Emily
to Portugal just prior to
COVID.
Outside of family, spe-
cial thanks goes out to
Sara’s friends with whom
she loved spending time,
whether it was going for
outdoor walks, canoeing at
Kensington or having din-
ner accompanied by a glass
of Chardonnay.
Mrs. Weitz was the
beloved wife of Edwin
Weitz; mother of Michael
(Maddi) Weitz and the late
Emily Meredith Weitz; lov-
ing grandmother of Aiyla
Weitz; devoted sister of
Mark (Rita) Snyder. She
is also survived by many
loving nieces, nephews,
other family members and
friends.
Contributions may be
made to Blessings in a
Backpack-West Bloomfield/
Keego Harbor, c/o
Community Foundation of
Greater Rochester, 303 East
St., Rochester, MI 48307.
Interment took place at
Beth El Memorial Park.
Arrangements by Dorfman
Chapel.
Estelle Harris, Actress
Who Played George’s
Mother On ‘Seinfeld,’
Has Died At 93
Estelle Harris and Jason Alexander
greet each other at the after-party
for The Producers at the Hollywood
Palladium in Los Angeles, May 29,
2003.
KEVIN WINTER/GETTY IMAGES