(RepublicanJournal.org) – There are a few comedians who manage to experience long-term success, but those who do are revered for their ability to make people laugh day in and day out. Hiram Kasten was one of those figures. He took performing on stage and turned it into a full-time career that saw him succeed across many avenues. Sadly, he has died at the age of 71. His death was confirmed in a Facebook post.
From the time he was young, Kasten dreamed of being a performer. He landed his first role immediately after college when he was cast in a revival version of Israel Horovitz’s play, “Line,” at the 13th Street Repertory Theatre in New York City. From there, it was onward and upward. He continued to be active in the theater industry while also pursuing a stand-up comedy career. It’s there that he thrived.
After a few hits and misses, Kasten found his home at The Comic Strip, a comedy club emceed by none other than Jerry Seinfeld. Seinfeld passed Kasten, who then became a regular and that also resulted in a lifelong friendship. In fact, Kasten appeared on “Seinfeld” numerous times as Elaine’s co-worker. He would go on to appear on other shows, such as “Saved by the Bell,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” to name a few.
In recent years, Kasten was suffering from Crohn’s disease as well as prostate cancer. In 2017, his health began to seriously decline, at which point he no longer pursued further endeavors in his career. Around the same time, he also began to share his health issues with his close friends, cluing them to the terminality of his condition.
Kasten died on June 16 at his home in New York in his wife Diana’s arms shortly after they celebrated their 38th anniversary. He is also survived by his daughter, Millicent Jade, and his brother-in-law Kevin John Kisiel.
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