SEINFELD BLOG

I dont know if this was discussed before, but I found this 1998 CNN story on the "real" George (http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/TV/9810/26/seinfeld/)

What ever happened to that lawsuit and that guy?

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The 'real' George Costanza sues Seinfeld for $100 million

October 26, 1998

Web posted at: 11:39 p.m. EST (0439 GMT)

'You've got to be George Costanza'
Charges of libel and slander
Related stories and sites
NEW YORK (AP) -- A man who says he was the model for nutty George Costanza on "Seinfeld" has filed a $100 million lawsuit alleging that Jerry Seinfeld and the show's producers stole his identity.

Michael Costanza, a real estate agent from Long Island, accused Seinfeld and others of violating his civil rights by "using his name, likeness and persona" without his permission in creating George.

In papers filed in Manhattan's state Supreme Court, Costanza, 43, charges that every episode, from 1989 until May 1998, "portrays (him) in a negative light" while using many of his physical and personality traits.

'You've got to be George Costanza'
Costanza has known Seinfeld for 24 years, since they were students at Queens College, his lawyer Jonathan Fisher said Monday.

Much of the obnoxious sitcom character accurately reflects Costanza but much does not, Fisher said.

"George is a jerk," Fisher said. "This has had a negative effect on the man's (Costanza's) life. If you looked at him you would say, 'You've got to be George Costanza.'"

Costanza's papers do not detail the similarities between him and the loutish George, played by Jason Alexander, but in interviews he has noted that he and George are bald and stocky, went to Queens College with Seinfeld, and have quirks about bathrooms and parking spaces.

Costanza, author of a book called "The Real Seinfeld," also says his high school gym teacher called him "Can't-Stand-Ya," as George's does.

Charges of libel and slander
The "Seinfeld" publicists have said that George Costanza was a character based on the show's co-creator, Larry David.

Glenn Padnick, president of Castle Rock Entertainment Inc., said, "George is modeled 100 percent on Larry. I believe Larry has never met Michael Costanza. This is just incredible."

Costanza's lawsuit accuses Castle Rock and David of libel and slander. Fisher said these charges stem from their calling Costanza a "liar and an opportunist" when instead he was the inspiration for George.

Padnick, whose company produced "Seinfeld," noted that during the show's nine years Costanza never filed a lawsuit. In fact, he had a small role in one "Seinfeld" episode, "The Parking Space," in 1992.

Besides Seinfeld, Castle Rock and David, the lawsuit names Sony Pictures Entertainment and its subsidiary, Columbia TriStar Television, Shapiro/West Productions, and NBC as defendants.

Sony and NBC did not immediately return calls requesting comment. Shapiro/West could not be reached for comment.

Copyright 1998 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

There are definitely 2 sides to that story. On Kenny Kramer's site, he posts a few letters back and forth between himself and Mike Costanza. Seems that this guy is a weasel. They only used his last name because Larry liked the name, but the character is not at all based on him.

after this lawsuit, it might seem for appropriate for him to be the inspiration behind Newman.

right on

I thought a lot of the George Costanza character was based on Larry himself.

all i can say is that i am the first cousin to the man mike costanza who was wronged by the fame and money that rules the world my cousin is the real george we are the real costanza we knew jerry jerry was at his wedding at his parents funeral at his birthday party in manhattan on a yaht all i can say is do not belive the powers that be and this larry david who is great to say he was thge real costanza its wrong they even went to queens college together common people this is the real deal and i have no gain in any manor then to see my family name goes on with honor and not with a fraud claim it would shame are grandparents and this is a thing we would never do michael costanza the real costanza family and the real deal

*punches michael*

Michael,

Check out the following link:

http://www.stanthecaddy.com/my-recent-discussion-with-kenny-kramer-discuss.html

I started a topic about my conversation with Kenny Kramer and the subject of Mike Costanza. I think there are alot of unanswered questions regarding this matter but unfortunately, unless some other revelations pop up, the issue will remain as it is.

classic

George Costanza is not based on Mike Costanza. Jerry and Larry just happened to like the name. George's parents are totally based on Larry David's parents, not Mike's.
Mike Costanza is a parasite on the pimple of the world's ass. He should get a life and crawl back under the rock he was hiding under.

"all i can say is that i am the first cousin to the man mike costanza who was wronged"

Sure you are

Hey everybody i'm the first cousin to Snoop Dog (Calvin Brotus). Man it rules I go to his concerts and get his left over bitches.

Speaking of first cousins, I think Mike's parents were exactly that, which explains everything.

if this real costanza really looks like him...show us a picture. PROVE IT

Oh, would you guys stop with Michael Costanza! Why does everybody make such a big deal about Michael Costanza? What is this fascination? Who cares? It's all so boring.

no...if he looks like george..then it could get prett fun.

hi mike costanza is my dad and i think i would just let you all know that he is not a LIAR! ask me anything about this whole thing . iwas only about 5 when this was going on but i know a lot about it.

You were only 5? So what does that make you now, 12? Oh yeah, that's credible.
OK, I have a question about your so-called "father". Why is he such a gold digging parasite?

He suffers from shrinkage (and doesn't swim).

For anyone who is actually interested: The case was dismissed before it ever went anywhere. Jerry provided all the information showing how George was based on Larry and (Fake) Costanza couldn't provide one piece of evidence to show that anything other than his name and coincidence connected him to George. (Fake) Costanza and his lawyer each got fined for filing a frivolous claim, although that part of the case was overturned.

Jackie Chiles was consulted on the case...

...but wanted no part of it.

Lest it be the most public of his many humiliations...