In this Jerry Seinfeld biography and facts, we’ll review the car show host’s early life, childhood, education, career, net worth, car collection, and personal life.
Jerome Allen Seinfeld (born April 29, 1954) is a writer, actor, director, producer, television presenter, and comedian from America.
Seinfeld is renowned for his role in the NBC sitcom, Seinfeld, where he played a semi-fictionalized version.
Though millennials may be unfamiliar with his widely publicized role in the sitcom, which aired from 1989 to 1998, Seinfeld is a public figure millennials greatly admire.
The stand-up comedian who is adept at observational comedy has been featured in half a dozen movies.
He remains a familiar face on television, where he has featured in multiple comedy shows such as Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special, 23 Hours to Kill, and several more.
In 2012, Seinfeld decided to take his comic wits into the automobile world.
As a result, the Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee show, which airs on Netflix, was birthed.
The car show, which previously aired on Crackle, has 11 seasons and has gone on to win several awards and has earned five Primetime Emmy nominations, a notable feat for a car show.
How Seinfeld, a man best known for his comic wits than his interest in automobiles, succeeded in creating one of the best car shows in the world, speaks volumes about his interest in cars.
Jerry Seinfeld Biography Facts & Profile
- Full Name: Jerome Allen Seinfeld
- Date of Birth: April 29, 1954
- Age: 66 years old
- Place of Birth: New York City, U.S
- Nationality: American
- Parents
- Father: Kálmán Seinfeld
- Mother: Betty Seinfeld
- Sibling
- Sister: Carolyn Liebling
- Children
- Sons: Shepherd Kellen Seinfeld, Julian Kal Seinfeld
- Daughter: Sascha Seinfeld
- Jerry Seinfeld Net Worth: $950 million
Jerry Seinfeld Early Life, Childhood & Education
On April 29, 1954, Jerome Allen Seinfeld was born to Kálmán Seinfeld and Betty Seinfeld in Brooklyn, New York.
His father was of Hungarian-Jewish roots and was a World War II veteran.
Seinfeld’s mother is originally from Syria, but her parents, who migrated from the country in 1917 to Turkey, were registered as Turkish.
Seinfeld’s interest in comedy began at an early age and was influenced by his father. His father was a closet comedian and had several jokes he collected during World War II. Young Seinfeld spent his early years in Massapequa, New York, and schooled at Long Island’s Massapequa High School.
As he grew, his interest in comedy continued.
He spends multiple hours watching established comedians like Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Don Rickles, and George Calin, all of whom he has cited as influences. By doing so, Seinfeld mastered techniques in comedy.
When he was 16, Seinfeld volunteered in an agricultural settlement in Israel, Kibbutz Sa’ar.
Seinfeld attended the State University of New York at Oswego but moved to Queens College, City University of New York, in his second year.
He earned a degree in communications and theater from Queens College.
Jerry Seinfeld Career
Comedy
While in college, Seinfeld did several stand-up comedy shows and open nights at Budd Friedman’s Improv Club.
In 1976, after graduating from college, Seinfeld performed at Catch a Rising Star comedy club in New York, which led him to appear in a Rodney Dangerfield HBO special.
Four years later, he landed a small role in Benson, a sitcom, but soon left the show after he was fired.
Seinfeld appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in May 1971.
His performance on the show greatly impressed the host, Johnny Carson, and the audience.
That performance opened the path for him to appear to make several appearances on the show and Late Night with David Letterman.
Seinfeld had his first comedy special titled Stand-Up Confidential in September 1987.
In 1988, Seinfeld partnered with Larry David to create The Seinfeld Chronicles, renamed Seinfeld.
With about 190 episodes, the show ran for nine seasons and came to an end in 1998.
Following the end of Seinfeld, He came back to New York City and continued stand-up comedy.
His comedy special, I’m Telling You for the Last Time, is based on the tour he embarked on in 1998.
He also featured in a 30-second Apple “Think Different” ad, which featured in the Seinfeld series finale.
As the 21st century birthed, Seinfeld continued his stand-up comedy shows and featured in movies such as Barry’s voice in the Bee movie.
Car TV Show Host
While he engaged in stand-up comedy, acting, Seinfeld also got involved in ads for the Microsoft Vista program.
In 2011, Seinfeld toured the US and made his first stand-up performance in the UK.
In 2012, Seinfeld began his web series car show, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
In the show, Seinfeld would pick a fellow comedian in a new car in each episode, and they both would have coffee and a conversation.
Comedians such as Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Rock, David Letterman, Eddy Murphy, Tina Dey, Mel Brooks have been on the show.
The show’s most high profile guest was then incumbent president Barrack Obama.
Deal with Netflix
In 2017, Seinfeld agreed to a deal with Netflix, which saw the car show moved to the streaming service.
The deal also saw ‘Seinfeld’ moved to Netflix.
He’ll also create two new stand-up specials and create non-scripted and scripted comedy programs for the show.
The first stand-up comedy special, 23 Hours to Kill, was released by Netflix in 2020.
Jerry Seinfeld Net Worth
As of 2020, Jerry Seinfeld’s net worth is estimated to be around $950 million.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Seinfeld’s worth of $950 makes him the richest comedian and car show host on the planet.
In 2015 and 2017, he was ranked by Forbes as the highest-paid comedian.
He earned about $69 million between 2026 and 2017. In 2018 he earned $57.5 million.
In 2019, he was the second-highest-paid comedian with $41 million, according to Forbes.
Jerry Seinfeld Car Collection
Jerry Seinfeld boasts of a car collection that is worth $1.4 million. He does spend his money on cars.
Seinfeld’s car collection includes a:
- 1964 Volkswagen Camper
- 1955 Porsche 550 RS
- 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster
- 1957 Fiat 500
- 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Coupe
- 1959 Porsche Carrera
- 2000 Porsche Carrera GT
- 1964 Porsche 911
- 1959 Porsche RSK Spyder
- 1983 Porsche 959
Jerry Seinfeld Personal Life
Wife & Children
Jerry Seinfeld met his wife Jessica Sklar in August 1998 at Reebok Sports Club.
When Seinfeld met her, she was coming from a honeymoon in Italy. The three-week honeymoon Jessica Sklar had in Italy was with Eric Nederlander, a Nederlander family member who established the Nederlander Organization.
She divorced Eric and got married to Seinfeld in December 1999.
Following their marriage, they bought a $32 million mansion in Long Island, which belonged to the singer, Billy Joel.
They have three children, one daughter who is currently studying at Duke University, and two sons.
Before Seinfeld got married to Sklar, he dated comedian Carol Leifer and fashion designer Shoshanna Lonstei.
When he dated Lonstei, she was a 17 years old high school student.
Religion
In 1993, it was revealed that Seinfeld got involved in Scientology when he was in his 30s.
Seinfeld revealed in December 2012 that he has been practicing Transcendental Meditation for about 40 years.
Jerry Seinfeld Charity & Philanthropy
Seinfeld and his wife founded The Good+ foundation after their first child was born.
They offer products and services to programs that engage fathers, support new mothers, and invest in early childhood.
Through partnerships with other organizations, their foundation has donated about $50 million worth of items.
Trivia
Seinfeld is a fan of the New York Mets.
Conclusion
You’re still on our Jerry Seinfeld Biography, Childhood, Net Worth, Career, and Facts page.
Check out biographies and facts for more automotive personalities and car television hosts here.
You May Also Like: Top-15 Best Car Show Hosts Ranked
