Jason Alexander Sorry for Sharing ‘Seinfeld’ Character Death Story: ‘I Feel Officially Awful’
The actor apologizes Thursday after a “Howard Stern Show” interview in which he blasted the actress who played Susan
Tony Maglio | June 4, 2015 @ 10:56 AM
Last Updated: June 4, 2015 @ 11:14 AM
Jason Alexander feels “officially awful” for sharing a story Wednesday on Howard Stern’s radio show about why Heidi Swedberg’s Susan Ross was killed off of “Seinfeld,” the show on which she was engaged to Alexander’s George Costanza.
A day later, he backed off a little bit — or at least explained his intentions in greater detail in a post he promoted on Twitter.
Alexander said on Stern’s show: “The actress is this wonderful girl, Heidi Swedberg, I love her ... I couldn’t figure out how to play off of her.”
“Her instincts for doing a scene — where the comedy was — and mine, were always misfiring,” he continued. “She would do something and I would go, ‘OK, I see what she’s going to do, I’m going to adjust to her’ — and I’d adjust, and then it would change.”
Later, after Jerry Seinfeld and Julia Louis-Dreyfus also allegedly struggled in scenes with Swedberg’s Susan, the gang decided to kill her off in a humorous way, Alexander explained to Stern.
On Thursday, Alexander penned a long explanation and personal apology.
“I retold a story I had told years ago about my personal difficulties and insecurities in playing George against the Susan that Heidi Swedberg created,” he started. “I told the story to try and clarify that no one wanted to kill Heidi.
“In telling this story, it sounds like we are putting a heavy burden on Heidi. I, personally, am not,” Alexander continued. “She was generous and gracious and I am so mad at myself for retelling this story in any way that would diminish her. If I had had more maturity or more security in my own work, I surely would have taken her query and possibly tried to adjust the scenes with her.
“To Heidi, I personally apologize. You are a sweetheart,” Alexander said. “I actually launched into this on Stern to defend you. But this is why I’m not a lawyer.”
Ok folks, I feel officially awful. Yesterday on @Sternshow, I retold a story I had told years ago about my personal difficulties and insecurities in playing George against the Susan that Heidi Swedberg created. The impetus for telling this story was that Howard said, “Julia Louis Dreyfuss told me you all wanted to kill her”. So I told the story to try and clarify that no one wanted to kill Heidi.
And again I say, I and the cast really liked and like Heidi. She is a kind, lovely person who undoubtedly worked really hard to create Susan and that character was clearly what Larry and Jerry wanted her to be for George. I just felt I was on uncertain ground in how to play off that character and I was always concerned that it wasn’t working. And that’s what I would voice concern about. But because the scenes were playing the way they were, the relationship with George and Susan sustained a whole season. People clearly liked the interplay even though I believed I was “off”.
Larry and Jerry were not sure how that relationship would end. They didn’t really want George married but all the alternatives seemed predictable. They were always looking for an inventive end to the engagement. So when the comment was made about “killing”, no one was talking about the actress – they were talking about the character. And that made a creative lightbulb go off apparently.
But in telling this story, it sounds like we are putting a heavy burden on Heidi. I, personally, am not. Heidi would always ask if there was anything in the scenes she could do or if I had any thoughts. She was generous and gracious and I am so mad at myself for retelling this story in any way that would diminish her. If I had had more maturity or more security in my own work, I surely would have taken her query and possibly tried to adjust the scenes with her. She surely offered. But, I didn’t have that maturity or security. And, Larry and Jerry would probably have killed me as it was all playing exactly as they wanted. Clearly Susan and George were coming off just the way they wanted.
So, to all the press that is now running wild with this 15 year old story, please don’t pervert it. No one told Heidi to do anything different – and she surely would have, if asked. And no one that I am aware of, including myself, didn’t like her. And now with distance, I can look at those episodes and see that there was a fun relationship there between George and Susan. It works perfectly. I simply couldn’t see it or find it at the time.
To Heidi, I personally apologize. You are a sweetheart. I actually launched into this on Stern to defend you. But this is why I’m not a lawyer. Now everybody, calm down and just enjoy the reruns and think, “why did he think this wasn’t working? This is great.” JA
25 of 'Seinfeld's' Most Sponge-Worthy Guest Stars in Celebration of 25th Anniversary (Photos)
Bryan Cranston, "Tim Whatley"
Before he was Walter White, Cranston played a dentist with a thing for Elaine. He converted to Judaism for the jokes.
NBC
Phil Morris, "Jackie Chiles"
A clear spoof of Johnny Cochran, the fast-talking Chiles found himself involved in several hair-brained lawsuits, usually involving Kramer. He defended the gang in the finale.
NBC
Larry David, "George Steinbrenner"
The co-creator of "Seinfeld" and eventual "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star played several off-camera roles, most notably that of the late New York Yankees team owner.
NBC
Wayne Knight, "Newman"
Jerry's nemesis and downstairs neighbor was not a very adept mailman. But as buddies with Kramer, he often was embroiled in something that the gang was doing. No one said "Hello" with more venom.
NBC
John O'Hurley, "J. Peterman"
One of Elaine's many bosses -- and possibly the zaniest. Peterman was a bit of an idiot, whose dumbest move may have been leaving his magazine in Elaine's incapable hands.
NBC
Patrick Warburton, "Puddy"
One of Elaine's many boyfriends -- and possibly the zaniest. David Puddy and Elaine were on-again/off-again for 10 episodes. He also wore the best jacket in the show's history: the leather "8-ball" coat.
NBC
Danny Woodburn, "Mickey"
Kramer met Mickey while they were both stand-ins on a sitcom: Cosmo for the dad, and Mickey for the kid. A friendship was born that eventually turned into a rivalry on a double-date.
NBC
Peter Crombie, "'Crazy' Joe Davola"
"Crazy" Joe Davola lived up to his name throughout five "Seinfeld" episodes. As is a common theme of male guest characters, he was a short-time flame of Elaine's. He also sometimes dressed up like a sad clown and beat people up.
NBC
Reni Santoni, "Poppie"
Poppie not only got sloppy, but he also practiced poor hygiene. Do not eat in this man's restaurant.
NBC
Keith Hernandez, "Keith Hernandez"
The New York Mets star played himself on the NBC sitcom. He dated Elaine and asked Jerry to help him move. The latter was too much for the sitcom's protagonist to handle.
NBC
Teri Hatcher, "Sidra"
Hatcher, a one-episode girlfriend of Jerry's, boasts one of the best lines in the sitcom's run: "They're real, and they're spectacular." She was talking about her breasts, which were in question.
NBC
Barney Martin, "Morty Seinfeld"
Jerry's dad made his mark in this world selling raincoats. The Seinfelds and the Costanzas did not get along.
NBC
Liz Sheridan, "Helen Seinfeld"
Mrs. Seinfeld was often kind of just there, never wanting to be a bother to Jerry and always hoping he ended up with a nice girl. That is, until she was charmed by Elaine's "close-talker" boyfriend, Judge Reinhold, who narrowly missed this list.
NBC
Estelle Harris, "Estelle Costanza"
George's mom had a shrill voice that surely helped drive her son away. Still, she was somehow the sane one in her marriage. Kramer "stopped short" with Estelle while driving, which was her husband's go-to romantic move.
NBC
Jerry Stiller, "Frank Costanza"
One of the greatest of the many great contributions of Frank Costanza is Festivus, a Christmas-time holiday "for the rest of us." Festivus was not over until someone pinned Frank.
NBC
Len Lesser, "Uncle Leo"
Uncle Leo was Jerry's closest (in proximity) relative, leading to numerous stumble-upon opportunities throughout New York City. Leo became a thief in his old age and burned off his eyebrows.
NBC
Jeanine Garafolo, "Jeanine"
Remember when Jerry was engaged? No? Well it lasted just one episode, and the break-up was mutual. Seinfeld also broke a pact with George when he called off the marriage.
NBC
Kathy Griffin, "Sally"
Sally turned on her mentor Jerry in a one-woman show that earned her rave reviews. In real life, Griffin has done just fine for herself without material about Seinfeld.
NBC
Steve Hytner, "Kenny Bania"
Bania was a hacky comic in a show that originally centered heavily around Jerry Seinfeld's stand-up comedy career. At some point Bania became a protege of Jerry's, cashing in on a killer Ovaltine bit.
NBC
Sandy Baron, "Jack Klompus"
Klompus served on the Del Boca Vista condo association board, where Morty and Helen lived. Eventually, Kramer would run for the board as a puppet candidate.
NBC
Heidi Swedberg, "Susan Ross"
George Costanza's fiance Susan probably took the easy way out when she died before having to marry the show's resident short, stocky, bald man. Susan met her demise by licking cheap, toxic wedding envelopes.
NBC
Ruth Cohen, "Ruthie Cohen, Monk's Cashier"
Cohen, the cashier at the gang's favorite diner, actually appeared in more than twice as many episodes than anyone else outside of the Big 4, with 101.
NBC
Frances Bay, "Marble Rye Woman"
Bay appeared in a few "Seinfeld" episodes, most famously as the woman that Jerry robbed on the street for her loaf of marble rye bread. But it was all in the name of helping George out.
NBC
Mark Metcalf, "Maestro"
The Maestro insisted on being called "Maestro" because he was a maestro. This prompted Jerry to insist that Elaine call him "Jerry the Great" because he's great.
NBC
Jane Leeves, "Marla"
Reeves appeared on "Seinfeld" right around the same time that her sitcom "Frasier" joined NBC's lineup. Marla was a virgin who played a heavy role in the classic episode, "The Contest."
NBC
1 of 25
It’s been 25 years since the world first met Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer. In honor of the landmark NBC comedy’s silver anniversary, TheWrap picks its 25 best recurring and guest stars.
Bryan Cranston, "Tim Whatley"
Before he was Walter White, Cranston played a dentist with a thing for Elaine. He converted to Judaism for the jokes.