10 Seinfeld Characters Who Still Grate on Nerves 27 Years Later

27 years since it wrapped up in 1998 on NBC, many characters from the iconic ’90s sitcom Seinfeld continue to spark passionate discussions among fans today. Known for portraying flawed individuals engaging in self-centered actions, this groundbreaking show has left an indelible mark on television due to its authentic characters. The appeal of Seinfeld lies in its relatable characters and storylines, although the formula occasionally produced characters that infuriated fans.

Seinfeld skillfully portrayed the unique essence of life in New York City by introducing a variety of peculiar characters that are common in bustling urban environments. However, some characters didn’t manage to win over viewers, as they walked the fine line between being amusingly self-centered and infuriatingly aggravating. Characters that lacked a touch of compassion and humility to temper their arrogance often elicited frustration from fans. Although these characters don’t detract from Seinfeld’s enduring legacy, they still cause audiences to clench their teeth while revisiting the series.

Played by: Heidi Swedberg (Seinfeld Seasons 4–7)

Fans of the sitcom “Seinfeld” have never taken a liking to George Costanza’s long-term love interest, Susan Ross. Portrayed by Heidi Swedberg, Susan is a high-ranking television executive at NBC, whom George encounters when he and Jerry present a pilot idea to the network. It’s a recurring theme in “Seinfeld” episodes for George and Jerry to pursue women who are significantly above their league, often resulting in humorous situations. However, this pattern falls flat when these relationships span multiple episodes or, as in Susan’s case, multiple seasons.

In a simpler and more conversational style: Susan, portrayed as a high-achieving professional, seems an ideal counterpart to George’s immaturity in “Seinfeld.” However, her character development falls short, making it hard for viewers to grow attached to her. During their romance on the show, George frequently complains about their relationship being bothersome, which doesn’t encourage audience support for them as a couple. Throughout their relationship, Susan seems to suffer more than benefit from knowing George – she loses her job at NBC, her family’s cabin burns down, and her loving relationship ends. The bizarre plot point involving toxic envelope glue in season seven, which many “Seinfeld” fans found implausible, added to the perception that the writers struggled to handle Susan’s character effectively.

Played by: Veanne Cox (Seinfeld Season 5)

In the world of Seinfeld, Jerry’s stand-up performances are a recurring theme, and they continue to stir debate among fans. One individual who has sparked controversy is Toby, a colleague of Elaine from Pendant Publishing, known for her boisterous, shrill laughter. During one of Jerry’s shows, Toby, overindulging in heckling, disrupted the flow of Jerry’s comedy act with her persistent insults. This interruption disturbed Jerry’s comedic timing and compromised his routine. Although it’s an expected part of Jerry’s profession as a comedian to handle criticism, Toby seemed to treat him as an old acquaintance rather than a new one, taking liberties with her heckling that were out of line during Jerry’s stand-up performance.

In another scenario, Toby might have enriched the Seinfeld universe by joining Elaine’s circle of eccentric coworkers, similar to J. Peterman or Peggy. This would have brought a long-awaited female perspective into the predominantly male cast. Regrettably, the writers chose to portray Toby as boisterous and chatty rather than exploring other facets of his character. More interactions between Toby and Elaine at Pendant Publishing could have given us a deeper understanding of Toby’s personality and made viewers more invested in her storyline.

Played by: Ian Abercrombie (Seinfeld Season 6)

Following Elaine’s dismissal from Pendant Publishing in Season 5 of Seinfeld, she assumes the role as assistant to the traditional, affluent executive Justin Pitt. Elaine’s youthful self-assurance enables her to clash humorously with Mr. Pitt’s formal persona. The contrast between Mr. Pitt’s reserved behavior and his peculiar requests of Elaine amplifies their amusing dynamic, such as when he insists on all salt being scraped off his pretzels or yearns to secure a spot in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. It also offers an engaging test for well-educated, self-confident Elaine to grapple with these peculiar tasks.

Despite the duo generating some captivating moments, Mr. Pitt remains a source of frustration for viewers. In Season 6, Episode 22 of Seinfeld, Mr. Pitt tells Elaine that he’s including her in his will due to his newfound affection for her. However, later in the episode, Mr. Pitt nearly succumbs to an overdose from mixing medications and suspects Elaine of attempting to murder him so she could claim his fortune. This intricate plot twist leaves fans struggling to accept that Mr. Pitt would betray Elaine so swiftly. The sudden shift from treating Elaine as a beloved daughter to viewing her as a heartless villain has left a bad taste with viewers regarding Mr. Pitt.

Played by: Jon Hayman (Seinfeld Season 4)

In one famous episode of “Seinfeld,” Jerry and his companions embark on an excursion uptown to meet Donald Sanger, also known as Bubble Boy, a man confined in a sealed bubble due to a weak immune system. With only family and television for company, Bubble Boy has transformed into a rude and abusive character. George, who shares Bubble Boy’s immaturity and bad temper, gets into a heated argument with the arrogant teenager over a round of Trivial Pursuit. Putting George together with another grumpy grouch is a brilliantly funny decision.

Two hot-tempered individuals feed off each other’s aggression in an overly emotional manner that even the more composed characters can’t replicate. Despite being one of Seinfeld’s most iconic one-time characters, no fan would ever label Bubble Boy as their favorite. Bubble Boy lacks any endearing or admirable qualities typical of Seinfeld’s antagonists. His annoying voice spews out harsh insults with no signs of remorse for his actions. Characters in Seinfeld who did horrendous things usually showed a hint of regret for their actions, or had understandable motives behind their misdeeds. However, Bubble Boy never matured beyond being a spoiled brat.

Played by: Kathy Griffin (Seinfeld Seasons 7–9)

Sally Weaver frequently rubbed Jerry Seinfeld the wrong way. She’s Susan Ross’ college friend who relocates from Memphis to New York with dreams of becoming a comedian, often clashing with Jerry in the process. Sally’s primary flaw is her arrogance; she tends to disregard others’ preferences to pursue her own ideas. For instance, she disrupts Jerry’s talk show appearance by providing props she finds funnier, overriding his explanations for needing the original props he requested. Despite Seinfeld being a series about self-centered individuals, Sally was a bit too self-absorbed and pushy for viewers to fully connect with.

Fans of Seinfeld have winced at times due to Sally’s disregard for boundaries and respect for others’ privacy. In fact, Sally often shows a striking lack of empathy towards people’s feelings. Portrayed by , Sally eventually gains notoriety in stand-up comedy when she exaggerates some stories about Jerry, making him appear as if he were the embodiment of evil. This was particularly frustrating for fans since Jerry had supported her pursuit of comedy. When Jerry asks Sally to be truthful about herself, she is dismissive and unkind, labeling his idea as “boring” or “dull.

Played by: Kevin Dunn (Seinfeld Season 1)

In simpler terms, Joel Horneck, a character from Seinfeld, is Jerry’s old friend who just can’t seem to move past their shared past. In the episode “Male Unbonding,” Jerry finds it unpleasant to spend time with Joel as he endlessly retells stories from their school days. This narrative pattern of exaggerating small, awkward social situations is a common feature in Seinfeld episodes. What makes Joel stand out is not only his lack of awareness about Jerry’s dislike for him, but also his inconsiderate behavior towards service workers and others who encounter him. Among the characters in Seinfeld, Joel is particularly socially unaware and rude.

Characters such as Kramer, who seem oblivious to social customs, are endearing and amusing due to their rejection of traditional norms. However, Joel lacks empathy for others and doesn’t appear to consider them important. Similar to Bubble Boy, Joel didn’t exhibit any admirable traits during his brief stint on Seinfeld. Joel never expresses remorse for his actions or offers a compelling explanation for neglecting the needs of others. A quality that fans of Seinfeld can’t forgive is being dull. Joel lacks intriguing characteristics, and his inconsiderate behavior isn’t compensated for by any unique traits. Fans of the series may tolerate or even admire selfishness. But boredom is a deal-breaker.

Played by: Sandy Baron (Seinfeld Seasons 3–8)

Jack Klompus continues to frustrate longtime ‘Seinfeld’ enthusiasts through his contentious interactions with Jerry and his parents. Living next to the Seinfelds in their Florida retirement community and serving as the condo association vice president, Jack frequently clashes with the Seinfelds over trivial matters, constantly seeking to surpass them. Many ‘Seinfeld’ characters struggle to live up to their self-assured personas, and Jack embodies this shortcoming. His lack of competence results in a dispute over an astronaut pen, sabotages Kramer’s plan to sell raincoats, and triggers a burglary at the Seinfelds’ residence.

I, as a frequent over-promise-er and easily disheartened when faced with obstacles, seldom live up to the accolades I crave within the retirement community. Known for my boastful and self-centered demeanor in Seinfeld, my relentless pursuit of social superiority often results in unfortunate circumstances for Jerry and his kin. In fact, I’m the one who gets Jerry’s parents evicted from their retirement community and swipes their Cadillac. Although Seinfeld didn’t shy away from grim conclusions, the image of two elderly individuals being forced out of their home was a tad too disheartening for several fans, solidifying my character, Jack Klompus, as one of the most unforgivable personalities on the show.

Played by: Lee Arenberg (Seinfeld Season 3–8)

In the world of “Seinfeld,” I’m one of Kramer’s quirky companions, often causing a stir for Jerry, George, and Elaine. You might recognize me from my role as Pintel, the pirate, in another popular series. When it comes to playing fierce characters, Lee Arenberg truly shines. My character on “Seinfeld” is known for his rapid temper – one of the shortest fuses among a show filled with irascible individuals. In an instant, I can erupt, turning red-faced with minimal provocation. It’s my explosive temper that many “Seinfeld” fans cite as their reason for not liking the character.

In the popular sitcom Seinfeld, Mike serves frequently as a contrast character to the yuppies Jerry and George. Mike’s favorite term is “phony,” often hurling this accusation at Jerry and others for their appreciation of the traditional upper middle-class way of life. Critics argue that Mike himself is no less phony, given his constant talk without backing it up with meaningful action. Instead, he seems equally engrossed in the same trivial issues as Jerry. Many Seinfeld fans find Mike one of the most grating characters due to his apparent lack of self-awareness.

Played by: Larry Miller (Seinfeld Season 6)

In many fans’ opinions, the Doorman from Seinfeld is frequently ranked as one of the most grating characters. It’s not just that he has a chip on his shoulder; it’s more accurate to say he carries around a mountain of resentment. Throughout his interactions with Jerry, the Doorman persistently accuses Jerry of being a snob who looks down on working-class individuals, even though Jerry has never given any indication that he feels this way about the Doorman. Initially, these encounters are amusing, but they soon become tiresome and aggravating as the episode progresses. Unlike the other feuds in Seinfeld, the Doorman’s animosity towards Jerry seems to have no basis in reality.

In other conflicts among characters, the causes can stem from logical misconceptions or stark differences in character traits. However, it appears that Newman and Jerry dislike each other without any discernible reason. Yet, even a casual observer can recognize the vast difference in their personalities, which serves as an excellent foundation for their rivalry. The Doorman, on the other hand, lacks distinct personality traits beyond his dislike of Jerry, making it challenging for viewers to accept their rivalry. On paper, this concept works well when discussing the eccentric individuals residing in a city like New York. Unfortunately, due to his absence of unique characteristics and driving forces, the concept falls flat in practice.

Played by: Steve Hytner (Seinfeld Season 6–9)

It was Kenny Bania’s persistent and irritating argument that “soup isn’t a meal” that made him one of the most bothersome characters on Seinfeld. Kenny has an unusual demeanor that makes even casual encounters with him uncomfortable. His eyes bulge, his face is frozen in an exaggerated grin, and he leans over people in a way that feels invasive. He seems to be an alien robot, imitating human behavior in a way that’s too exaggerated for comfort. Like a robot, he follows social norms rigidly without any flexibility or deviation.

He insists on being rewarded with dinners for favors and believes everyone should appreciate what he thinks is the best. Kenny Bania, a comedian much like Jerry, consistently tries to join Jerry’s social circle across various seasons of Seinfeld. Bania’s comedy act is painfully dull, centered on all sorts of chocolate milk beverages, but somehow manages to find success due to his connection with Jerry. This can be frustrating for fans who want to see Jerry, portrayed as a successful comedian, reap the rewards of his hard work instead.

2025-05-06 05:11