Seinfeld, a.k.a. “the show about nothing,” undoubtedly made stars of its main characters. Jerry, Elaine, Kramer and George have become part of American pop culture and the show remains a hit to this day.
However, the show also has helped give many famous actors and actresses their big break as well, not to mention a jump-start in the world of comedy. Specifically, if you have played a main role as an actress on a hit TV sitcom or movie comedy, chances are you have at some point played one of Jerry Seinfeld’s girlfriends.
Here are some of the females that have starred on Seinfeld before they made it big.
1. Courtney Cox
Best known for her role as Monica on the hit series Friends, Cox was seen initially in episode 81 of Seinfeld season five, titled “The Wife.” In this episode Cox played Meryl, a woman pretending to be Jerry’s wife in order to get a dry-cleaning discount. Of course, Bruce Springsteen fans would have spotted her first and foremost for her appearance in his video, “Dancing in the Dark.
2. Teri Hatcher
One of the most popular episodes of season four was undoubtedly “The Implant.” In this episode Teri Hatcher plays Sidra, a woman whose breasts Jerry inquires about after Elaine makes a claim that they’re not real. Of course at the episode’s conclusion, we found out that “they’re real, and they’re spectacular!” Hatcher since has had guest roles in Frasier, Two and a Half Men and a starring role in Desperate Housewives.
3. Jane Leeves
The 50th episode of Seinfeld guest-starred Leeves as “The Virgin,” which is also the title of that episode. Leeves went on to play a lead role in the Emmy-winning spin-off, Frasier. Interestingly, the episode was co-written by the Farrelly Brothers, who later came out with hit comedies like There’s Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber.
4. Debra Messing
Messing played Jerry’s date in two Seinfeld episodes: “The Wait Out” in 1996 and “The Yada Yada” in 1997. One year later, Messing won the lead role of Grace Adler on the hit sitcom Will & Grace. In 2008, she landed a role as the main character in The Starter Wife, but the show did not return for a second season in 2009.
5. Kristin Davis
Like Messing, Kristin Davis also starred in two episodes of Seinfeld. In 1997 she played Jenna in “The Butter Shave” and “The Pot Hole.” One year later, she also landed a huge role as Charlotte in the HBO cable series, Sex and the City.
6. Marcia Cross
Although Cross was a character favorite in the early nineties on the TV hit Melrose Place, she did make a notable appearance as Jerry’s dermatologist girlfriend, Dr. Sitarides; a.k.a. “Pimple Popper M.D.” She also appeared in Cheers, AllyMcBeal, Spin City and King of Queens. In 2004, she won a main part playing Bree Hodge on Desperate Housewives.
7. Amanda Peet
In 1999, Peet starred in Seinfeld‘s eighth-season finale episode, “The Summer of George.” Peet played Lanette, a waitress that Jerry decides to take with him as his date to the Tony Awards, only to find she is already living with a man-friend. More concentrated on movie roles, Peet continued to star in comedic hits like Saving Silverman, The Whole Nine Yards and Something’s Gotta Give.
In 1996, Garofalo starred in the seventh-season finale as Jeannie Steinman; a woman who Jerry takes a liking to after discovering their many similarities like eating cereal at restaurants and reading Superman comics. Garofalo did begin to make a name for herself way before her Seinfeld cameo, in television shows like Saturday Night Live and movies such as Reality Bites. However, 1996 was the year she began to make a true name for herself as a talented comedian, starring in movies like The Truth about Cats and Dogs and eventually landing more guest roles in shows like Home Improvement and Law & Order. Perhaps what was so great about Garofalo’s role was that, for the first time, Jerry may have actually met his comedic equal in terms of women he’s dated on the show.
There were many other women on the show who had memorable roles, such as Still Standing’s Jami Gertz,Melinda McGraw (a guest star in shows like The X-Files, Mad About You and The Practice,) Tawny Kitaen of The Surreal Life and Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, Catherine Keener of Being John Malkovich and The 40 Year Old Virgin, and Maggie Wheeler; a.k.a. Chandler’s annoying girlfriend Janis on Friends. Oh, and who can forget guest appearances from Denise Richards, Marisa Tomei and Raquel Welch.
For a show about nothing, Seinfeld definitely wasn’t lacking in female roles. Jerry is one lucky guy!
