Estelle Harris

Harris hollered her way into TV history as George Costanza's short-fused mother on "Seinfeld" and voiced Mrs. Potato Head in the "Toy Story" franchise.

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Employing a high-powered screech, she took maternal exasperation and paranoia to comedic heights as one of the show's most frequently recurring characters.

Her comedic style summoned paranoia and outrage in response to transgressions like her son continuing to wear the same button-down shirt five years after he bought it. During her character’s meltdowns, often in response to slights and offenses to propriety, Ms. Harris deployed a screech that had the urgency of a hyena in its death throes. Her son Glen Harris announced the death in a statement sent by Ms. Harris’s agent.

Best known as George Costanza's mother on "Seinfeld," she also voiced Mrs. Potato Head in the "Toy Story" movies.

She started tapping her comedic talents in high school productions, where she realized she “could make the audience get hysterical,” as she told People magazine in 1995.After the nine-season run of “Seinfeld” ended in 1998, Ms. Harris continued to appear on stage and screen. “I just go with what I got, and she goes back at me the same way.”Still, Ms. Harris saw a sympathetic undertone to her character, often saying Estelle fumed out frustration at her bumbling mate and scheming slacker of a son.Viewers, she told an interviewer in 1998, “just look at her as being funny, cute and a loudmouth. Estelle Harris, who played cranky mother on ‘Seinfeld,’ dies at 93Estelle Harris, best known for her role as George Costanza's mother in “Seinfeld,” also voiced Mrs. Potato Head in the “Toy Story” films. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)Estelle Harris, who hollered her way into TV history as George Costanza’s short-fused mother on “Seinfeld” and voiced Mrs. Potato Head in the “Toy Story” franchise, died April 2 in Palm Desert, Calif. She was 93. Born April 22, 1928, in New York City as Estelle Nussbaum, Ms. Harris grew up in the city and later in the Pittsburgh suburb of Tarentum, Pa., where her father owned a candy store. With her high-pitched voice and humorously overbearing attitude, she was an archetype of maternal indignation.Trading insults and absurdities with her on-screen husband, played by Jerry Stiller, Ms. Harris helped create a parental pair that would leave even a psychiatrist helpless to do anything but hope they’d move to Florida — as their son, played by Jason Alexander, fruitlessly encouraged them to do.Jerry Stiller, comedian who played crotchety Frank Costanza on ‘Seinfeld,’ dies at 92Viewers of all backgrounds would tell her she was just like their own mothers, Ms. Harris often said.“She is the mother that everybody loves, even though she’s a pain in the neck,” she told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 1998.The career-defining role came after decades on stage and screen.

Though she only appeared in 27 of the long-running series's 180 episodes, her performance as the ne plus ultra of crazy sitcom mothers made an indelible impact.

Don Rickles voiced Mr. Potato Head solo in the first film, but she joined for the second, third, fourth, and numerous short films. And that’s just the beginning of the scene. A production of Come Back, Little Sheba on Long Island led to an agent.

Estelle Harris, who hollered her way into TV history as George Costanza's short-fused mother on “Seinfeld” and voiced Mrs. Potato Head in the “Toy Story” ...

“Estelle is a born performer,” Stiller told The Record of Bergen County, N. J., in 1998. After the nine-season run of “Seinfeld” ended in 1998, Harris continued to appear on stage and screen. She started tapping her comedic talents in high school productions where she realized she “could make the audience get hysterical,” as she told People magazine in 1995. I play her with misery underneath.” But it’s not how I play her. The career-defining role came after decades on stage and screen.

One of Estelle Harris' signature roles was playing George Costanza's (Jason Alexander) mother Estelle on the classic NBC sitcom Seinfeld.

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. Serenity now and always. “One of my favorite people has passed – my tv mama, Estelle Harris,” Alexander wrote on Twitter. “The joy of playing with her and relishing her glorious laughter was a treat.”

Estelle Harris, star of Seinfeld and the Toy Story franchise, has died at the age of 93, her family confirmed on Saturday.

This password will be used to sign into all New York sites. This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. This password will be used to sign into all New York sites. This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. This password will be used to sign into all New York sites. This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. 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. Harris guest-starred on Seinfeld for 27 episodes as the shrill Estelle Costanza, opposite Jerry Stiller as George’s father, Frank Costanza. Following the news of Harris’s passing on Sunday, Jason Alexander wrote on Twitter, “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. 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. 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. Harris guest-starred on Seinfeld for 27 episodes as the shrill Estelle Costanza, opposite Jerry Stiller as George’s father, Frank Costanza. Following the news of Harris’s passing on Sunday, Jason Alexander wrote on Twitter, “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. 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.

The beloved character actor, who held her own against Jerry Stiller and Don Rickles, has died.

That’s to say nothing of the fact that she held her own against the incredible Jerry Stiller, with the duo’s screaming matches (punctuated with Harris’ instantly memorable cries like “You’re killing him!”) solidifying their place as two of the funniest sitcom actors of all time. Estelle Harris, a beloved character actor best known in live-action for playing George Constanza’s easily frustrated mother on Seinfeld and best known in animation for playing devoted toy matriarch Mrs. Potato Head in the Toy Story series, has died. She was also in Once Upon A Time In America, NightCourt, Married… With Children, a Law & Order episode, and Mad About You.

NEW YORK — Estelle Harris, who hollered her way into TV history as George Costanza's short-fused mother on “Seinfeld” and voiced Mrs. Potato Head in the ...

“Estelle is a born performer,” Stiller told The Record of Bergen County, N. J., in 1998. After the nine-season run of “Seinfeld” ended in 1998, Harris continued to appear on stage and screen. She started tapping her comedic talents in high school productions where she realized she “could make the audience get hysterical,” as she told People magazine in 1995. I play her with misery underneath.” But it’s not how I play her. The career-defining role came after decades on stage and screen.

Estelle Harris, who hollered her way into TV history as George Costanza's short-fused mother on “Seinfeld” and voiced Mrs. Potato Head in the “Toy Story” ...

Estelle Harris, at right, and Don Rickles arrive at the world premiere of “Toy Story 3,” Sunday, June 13, 2010, at The El Capitan Theater in Los Angeles. Harris, who hollered her way into TV history as George Costanza’s short-fused mother on TV’s “Seinfeld” and voiced Mrs. Potato Head in the “Toy Story” franchise, has died. Estelle Harris, at right, and Don Rickles arrive at the world premiere of “Toy Story 3,” Sunday, June 13, 2010, at The El Capitan Theater in Los Angeles. Harris, who hollered her way into TV history as George Costanza’s short-fused mother on TV’s “Seinfeld” and voiced Mrs. Potato Head in the “Toy Story” franchise, has died. “Estelle is a born performer,” Stiller told The Record of Bergen County, N. J., in 1998. After the nine-season run of “Seinfeld” ended in 1998, Harris continued to appear on stage and screen. She started tapping her comedic talents in high school productions where she realized she “could make the audience get hysterical,” as she told People magazine in 1995. Thanks to you all for your kind and sweet messages and remembrances of #EstelleHarris. She would be so touched.

Harris played the mother of Jason Alexander's character George Costanza on "Seinfeld."

On advertising's Madison Avenue, she was dubbed the "Queen of Commercials." "The joy of playing with her and relishing her glorious laughter was a treat. The New York City native was born on April 22, 1928. "It is with the greatest remorse and sadness to announce that Estelle Harris has passed on this evening at 6:25 p.m.,'' he said. Serenity now and always." "One of my favorite people has passed — my tv mama, Estelle Harris," Alexander wrote.

Jason Alexander has honored Estelle Harris, the late actor who played his mother on “Seinfeld" after she died over the weekend.

“The joy of playing with her and relishing her glorious laughter was a treat. The last line referenced the famous proclamation George Costanza's father used to remain calm in a ninth season episode of the legendary sitcom. Harris said fans frequently told her Estelle reminded them of their own mothers.

(JTA) — Estelle Harris, the Jewish actress who played George Costanza's mother on the sitcom “Seinfeld,” died Saturday at the age of 93.

She quickly to turning to the theater, aided by elocution lessons, and found her calling. She needs to break away from her husband. According to Deadline, the character of George’s mother was named Estelle before Harris landed the part — but her name wasn’t the only thing Harris shared with her onscreen character.

Alexander and Harris co-starred on Seinfeld together as George Costanza and Estelle Costanza respectively.

Her final role was voicing Mrs. Potato Head in 2019's Toy Story 4. “The joy of playing with her and relishing her glorious laughter was a treat. In another tweet, Alexander added, “Thanks to you all for your kind and sweet messages and remembrances of #EstelleHarris. She would be so touched. After being a commercial spokesperson and appearing in guest roles in such series like Night Court, Married...With Children, Mad About You, and Law & Order, Harris would first appear on the Seinfeld episode, “The Contest.” “One of my favorite people has passed—my tv mama, Estelle Harris,” Alexander tweeted. The late actor was also known for lending her voice to the Toy Story films’ Mrs. Potato Head. She would go on to build a strong resume as a voice actor, popping up in Futurama, Hercules, Family Guy and many others.

Jason Alexander is mourning the loss of his "TV mama" Estelle Harris. The actress, who played George Costanza's (Alexander) short-fused mother on "Seinfeld ...

"Estelle is a born performer," Stiller told The Record of Bergen County, N. J., in 1998. Born April 22, 1928, in New York City, Harris grew up in the city and later in the Pittsburgh suburb of Tarentum, Pennsylvania, where her father owned a candy store. "The joy of playing with her and relishing her glorious laughter was a treat. She had stopped pursuing show business when she married in the early 1950s but resumed acting in amateur groups, dinner theater and commercials as her three children grew. As middle-class matron Estelle Costanza, Harris put a memorable stamp on her recurring role in the smash 1990s sitcom. "One of my favorite people has passed - my tv mama, Estelle Harris," tweeted the actor.

Estelle Harris, the Jewish actress who played George Costanza's mother on the sitcom Seinfeld, died Saturday at the age of 93. Harris played the role of ...

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. She quickly to turning to the theatre, aided by elocution lessons, and found her calling. According to Deadline, the character of George’s mother was named Estelle before Harris landed the part — but her name wasn’t the only thing Harris shared with her onscreen character.

Harris, whose distinctive voice was sought after in various roles, unforgettably played Estelle Costanza on the 90s sitcom, often bickering with her on-screen ...

Estelle Harris, voiced Mrs. Potato Head in 'Toy Story 4' in 2019, had died. Read about Estelle Harris and Estelle Harris' career on 'Seinfeld' and who she ...

Estelle Harris — who played Estelle Costanza on “Seinfeld” — has died due to natural causes over the weekend. What happened: Harris’ family confirmed her death in a statement to Deadline on Saturday. Estelle Harris, right, and Don Rickles arrive at the world premiere of “Toy Story 3,” on Sunday, June 13, 2010, at The El Capitan Theater in Los Angeles. Harris has died at age 93, her family said.

"The joy of playing with her and relishing her glorious laughter was a treat," Jason Alexander said of Estelle Harris on Twitter.

#RIPEstelleHarris." Harris died at the age of 93 on Saturday. Her cause of death was revealed as "natural causes," in a statement by her family to Deadline. Alexander previously spoke of the joy that Harris brought to Seinfeld, and how it reflected his own life. "The joy of playing with her and relishing her glorious laughter was a treat. Jason Alexander Pays Tribute to His Seinfeld Mom Estelle Harris: 'One of My Favorite People' "The joy of playing with her and relishing her glorious laughter was a treat," Jason Alexander said of Estelle Harris A day after Estelle Harris's death, Alexander, 62, paid tribute to his Seinfeld mom on Twitter. Not only did Alexander send well wishes to Harris' family, but he also spoke about the "joy" she brought to his life as a costar and friend.