Kramer is Jewish, Michael Richards is not

The Jewish Journal reports that while the character Cosmo Kramer on "Seinfeld" is indeed Jewish, Michael Richards -- he who unleased a flurry of n-words on black patrons at the Laugh Factory recently -- was, in fact, "raised Catholic."

Why did the Jewish Journal feel so compelled? Here they sort of explain:

Fellow comedians and fans have been quick to criticize Richards -- and misrepresent his religious background. Comedian Paul Rodriquez held a press conference at the Laugh Factory, saying that Richards should know better, because the Hollywood community defended Jews against actor Mel Gibson's anti-Semitic tirades.

The implication was that Richards, a Jew, should not be launching racist attacks. He shouldn't, but he also isn't Jewish.

"Someone needs to tell Rodriquez that Michael isn't a Jew," said a television director who has known Richards for years. The two worked together in 1980 on ABC's "Fridays" television show and have remained in touch ever since.

Another interesting tidbit: Michael Richards graduated from Evergreen State College (noted hippie hangout) in 1975, and then entered the Army, where he did some things eerily relevant to his recent "incident":

He was drafted during the Vietnam War and stationed in Germany, as one of the co-directors of the V Corps Training Road Show. He produced and directed shows dealing with race relations and drug abuse. He then spent two years in the Army developing educational skits and a couple more years ‘finding himself’ at a commune in the Santa Clara Mountains. He drove a bus and developed a stand-up comedy act in 1979,� according to the Web site.

And the guy who Cosmo Kramer is based on -- the real Kenny Kramer (friend of "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David), who is Jewish (and pictured at right) -- probably thinks Richards has some 'splainin' to do.

One thing I do know ... or at least I think I know: Michael Richards is, if not a vegan, at least a vegetarian. I've seen him dining in Santa Monica at Real Food Daily -- the L.A. area's best vegan restaurant -- on more than one occasion.

Another thing: I had no idea that Michael Richards even did standup ... or has even done much since "Seinfeld." Gotta be hard to star in one of the best shows of all time and have to follow that.

Tangentially related: "The New Adventures of Old Christine," with fellow "Seinfeld" alum Julia Louis-Dreyfus? Love her. Hate the show. Even though they temper the sweetness with irony, it's still sickly sweet. Nowhere near as good as the now-dead "Watching Ellie."