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