'Kramer' Apologizes, Says He's Not Racist

(CBS/AP)  Michael Richards, who played Jerry Seinfeld's eccentric neighbor Kramer on the sitcom "Seinfeld," publicly apologized for racist comments he made in a tirade aimed at some hecklers at a nightclub where he was working as a a stand-up comic.

Appearing on the "Late Show With David Letterman" Monday, the actor spoke live via satellite from Television City, Calif., and fielded questions from Letterman, while in-studio guest Jerry Seinfeld looked on.

"For me to be at a comedy club and flip out and say this crap…" said Richards. "I'm deeply, deeply sorry."

Earlier in the day, as news of Richards' comments hit the web, Seinfeld issued a statement saying he is "sick over this horrible, horrible mistake" and calling Richards' remarks offensive.

A video on TMZ.com shows the actor, 57, repeatedly yelling racial remarks at a man who sat in the audience at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood. It apparently happened after someone in the crowd said he wasn't funny.

"Fifty years ago we'd have you upside down with a f------ fork up your ass," he says while on stage.

"You can talk, you can talk, you're brave now motherf------. Throw his ass out. He's a n-----! He's a n-----! He's a n-----! A n-----, look, there's a n-----!"

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Click here to see photos of Michael Richards

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Some chuckling was heard coming from the audience throughout the outburst, along with gasps of "Oh my God!" and other exclamations as Richards veered into unprintable invective.

Eventually someone calls out: "It's not funny. That's why you're a reject, never had no shows, never had no movies. `Seinfeld,' that's it."

Monday night, Letterman asked Richards if he would have responded to the heckler in a similar vein if he had been of a different race.

"It may have happened," said Richards. "I'm a performer. I push the envelope. I work in a very uncontrolled manner on stage. I do a lot of free association — it's spontaneous, I go into character. I don't know. In view of the situation and the act going the way it was going, I don't know. The rage did go all over the place - it went to everybody in the room."

Richards seemed baffled by his own reaction on stage.

"I'm not a racist, that's what's so insane about this," he said.

The actor said that he went back to the club later that night and went on stage to "get back on the horse, as they say." He said he apologized to as many people as he could after the incident, but some of the people he targeted had already left.

He added that he supports the people who complained to the press about his comments.

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[mackmode]

I don't think any of us that use to be his "fan' can ever look at another Seinfeld show without thinking of this incident . Plus all of "kramers" puns, wild expressions , and comedy won't have the same effect .

Now I know he really felt when working a long his lawyer " Jackie Charles " on Seinfeld .

[cobra25674]

Lisa do you know Richards or are you projecting yourself and the way you are onto him? Wake up and smell the coffee before it is to late. Racism is bad regardless of what quarter it comes from. Maybe you should take a long hard look at your own motivations.

[cobra25674]

Ok, the man was wrong in his remarks and letting his temper get the best of him. However, why do we continue to let black entertainers spout out racially charged slurs toward white people and often laude them for it. It is time to hold everyone accountable for racism regardless of race, creed, religion or station in life.
I believe Richards when he says his outburst was anger motivated and not racism but there has to be some underlying reason for the words he chose to show his anger. I call my wife a *** sometimes, under my breath of course, not because I do not love her or even believe she is such a thing, but because she has made me angry as hell.
Come people get off the poor me, look what whitey has done to me, pick up your self esteem and move on.

[brokeactors]

We do need to write him off. What he said was completely ignorant. He said it because that's the way he felt AND he is a unsuccessful,broke actor who is grasping for straws. He is getting his 20 minutes of fame because of this. Revisit Gary Coleman's actions from a few years back...Desperate times call for desperate measures.

[jlc808]

Michael Richards? Hey what happened to HIS First Amendment rights? So he is an insensitive jerk. I thought you were allowed to be that in this country. He did not deny anyone their civil rights, prevent someone from getting housing because of color, deny someone a car loan or force someone to use the "coloreds-only" water fountain. He said something stupid.

And I heard Jesse Jackson bring to light that he used the term "Afro-American" rather than African-American further validating his insensitivity. Let me get this right, Jesse is further upset because not only did Richards use insensitive and offensive language, but he used "incorrect" insensitive and offensive language? Really? Are you kidding me!?

I have worked in comedy clubs and they often attract the worst kind of patron. Rude, discourteous and insensitive so I fully understand him osing his temper. Not condoning his language but understanding his anger.

No one seems offended that the "African-Americans" called him a "cracker"-something or other. Why not? Double standard? Of course.

I am not saying that we don't have problems in this country with understanding and sensitivity, but it has happened for the entire history of humans on this planet. This is why most people are sick to death of political correctness. Grow some thicker skin and realize that people are, and will continue to be, insensitive. It may not be right, but it is what it is.

[ltanderson5]

What's in the heart will eventually come out. But the sad thing is people in the audience was laughing. I think every one should have walked out. To say that I'm sorry is okay, but the damage is already done.

[lovettpam]

I am completely outraged! I also think that TES should have interviewed a Black person this morning. Who is this Sally person that was on there this morning? She can't speak for African Americans! It just open up old wounds. Wounds that will NEVER be healed. We go on, we live, we love, we work hard to prove ourselves, then along comes someone who we have laughed at, and admired to come along and rant about N___s this and N_____s that. It HURTS! His apology means nothing! Also, who is Jerry Seinfield to think that all he got to do is bring him on David Letterman and we're to forgive him? Just because he made a mousy attemp to say he was sorry. He's an Actor; and he couldn't even act like he sorry! Apology not accepted! I can never look at Jerry Seinfeld's show the same again! God will forgive him, but it's not that easy for us. Mel Gibson was at least intoxicated. Being a Jew, you would think he knew better! It might one day be forgotten, but never, ever, forgiven. I took his remarks personaly. He was the professional, he should have never let a heckler get under his skin like that. I hope Hollywood won't forget either.

[lonny paul]

If those who feel offended could stop the constant use of the same word towards each other, appearing to be a most dear affirmation of friendship -- maybe I could give two shakes.

Stop your own bigotry and gtf off the page.

[billzor]

America has truly bcome the land of disrespect. This type of racist temper tantrum has evoked images of a time when African Americans were treatd as non-human. We need to send a clear message to our public figures, (including comedians, politicians and media peronalities), that we will not tolerate this behavior anymore. They are instigating and perpetuating hatred. It isn't enough anymore to apologize and go on with your career. I think we should tell these celebrities that we will not make them millionaires and admire them when they do things like this. There should be consequences for actions like this. Stop the hatred-put an end to it now. Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. Richards-what are you thankful for this holiday season?

[knightmuvz]

"when ever you read some one say "as a black man",trust me he's a white man.An in every occassion he seem to justify the racist acts...I've noticed this on a number of message boards for the last 8 years at least.
Posted by easysabre90"

Hate to burst your bubble easysabre90 but you are wrong. As a Black man I can say that. If you've been reading message boards for eight years did you ever notice in all that time you only need to hit the submit button once? Why did you post the same thing 3 times? Haven't got things figured out yet? Well whenever you read someone say "trust me" I guess maybe you can't.

Justifying racism? Try identifying true racism for yourself and stop being manipulated by the media blowing things like this out of proportion. Racism isn't hiding on "message boards" or in comedy clubs. It's in the open and it doesn't need the "n" word to prove it exists. It is by actions not words that it is revealed. What did he do that proves he's a racist? I was always taught that the "n" word refered to ignorant people. Don't be ignorant!

"If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isnt part of ourselves doesnt disturb us." - Herman Hesse, German novelist (1877-1962).