Photo Credit: Asim Bharwani
Just weeks before her 94th birthday, actress Estelle Harris passed away Saturday evening of natural causes. Best known for her role on Seinfeld as George Costanza’s cranky mother Estelle, her agent Michael Eisenstadt made a statement saying, “It is with the greatest remorse and sadness to announce that Estelle Harris has passed on today, leaving a hole in my heart too deep to describe. Her kindness, passion, sensitivity, humor, empathy and love were practically unrivaled, and she will be terribly missed by all those who knew her.”
“She always adored meeting and greeting children of all ages everywhere she went – and of course making them laugh. Her passion was her work, and her work was her passion,” the statement from Eisenstadt said. Her on screen son Jason Alexander who played George Costanza tweeted, “One of my favorite people has passed – my tv mama, Estelle Harris. The joy of playing with her and relishing her glorious laughter was a treat. I adore you, Estelle. Love to your family. Serenity now and always. #RIPEstelleHarris.”
Seinfeld writer Carol Leifer tweeted “So sad to hear about the passing of the hilarious Estelle Harris. On ‘Seinfeld’ set with her and the great Jerry Stiller shooting ‘The Rye.’ She made everything we wrote that much funnier. A true gift to work with her!” She described her character on Seinfeld as “the mother that everybody loves, even though she’s a pain in the neck,” according to the BBC.
Harris started out in community theaters before going on to regional theaters and summer stock productions. Before she knew it she was in 25 national television commercials in one year giving her the nickname “Queen of Commercials.” Also known for being the voice of Mrs. Potato Head in Toy Story, as well as the animated series of Tarzan II, Brother Bear, and Teacher’s Pet, Harris has a respected place in Hollywood that is going to be missed.
