Very serious mourning, the most beloved actor has passed away: the cause of death has been revealed

The closeness and affection of his colleagues and fans “has prolonged his life by at least another two months”, says the actor’s wife

A long-lasting fight, a fight that ended very sadly. A serious loss for the world of American comedy after a series of illnesses that struck the New York actor and performer. After battling several illnesses, especially a prostate cancer which lasted seven years and Crohn’s disease, but for life, the actor left us.

The actor and comedian, best known for his roles in several TV series in the 1980s and 1990s, died at his home in Batavia, New York. According to the obituary published by the local newspaper ‘The Batavian’, Hiram Kasten he died yesterday, Sunday 16 June, a little less than a month ago. The news, however, was released only in these days.

In the mourning announcement, the family revealed that the actor had chosen to keep his death a secret terminal diagnosis up to six months before his death. The artist’s wife, Diane Kastenbaum, told the newspaper that the “great comedy and artistic community has rallied around him in this last period” with in-person visits, including via Zoom video call. This closeness with colleagues and fans “has extended his life by at least another two months.” The power of love and emotional support has truly worked a small but significant miracle for his cancer.

Born in the Bronx, New York, Hiram Kasten joined the comic scene of the city in the 1970s. With dreams of becoming a comedian on stage, he headed to The Comic Strip, a hub for local entertainment, where he met Jerry Seinfeld, who was the host at the time. After his first audition, Kasten and Seinfeld began a friendship that has lasted nearly five decades.

A great friend of comedians Paul Reiser, Larry Miller and Mark Schiff, in the late 1980s Kasten moved to Los Angeles where he landed a part in a pilot for Dr. Paradise CBS with Frank Langella and Sally Kellerman, but it is became famous thanks to the role of Michael in the American sitcom Seinfeldplaying Elaine Benes’ colleague.

The actor then had roles in series as Madly in love, Bayside School, Everybody loves Raymond, Seventh heaven, The Brooklyn Bridge, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, All in family and many more. Hiram Kasten and his wife, Diana Kastenbaum, moved to Batavia in 2012. The actor, at age 71, is survived by his wife and daughter, Millicent Jade Kastenbaum.