'Newman' parlays typecasting into success

November 19, 1996
Web posted at: 4:20 a.m. EST

From Correspondent Bill Tush

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Newman!

To fans of TV's top-rated comedy "Seinfeld," that one word conjures up an indelible image of Jerry's nemesis wreaking havoc with the easygoing comedian's life.

But "Newman" is also a key character actor in big-budget releases like the blockbuster "Jurassic Park" and the current Michael Jordan-Looney Tunes extravaganza, "Space Jam."

His name is Wayne Knight, and the actor has found steady work in Hollywood playing comical bad guys, like his "Space Jam" role as kiss-up publicist Stan Podolak.

In Podolak, Knight is yet again taking on an unflattering character, this time an agent willing to do anything to win Michael Jordan's approval.

Although Knight would not mind a role that does not typecast him, the actor takes solace in his success.

"Uh, you know, right now you're on a television show that is No. 1 in the country. And when you walk in the door, the lead character calls your name," said Knight. "It is like brand identification, like 'Newman-brand actor.'"

Indeed, people regularly approach Knight in public and utter the "Seinfeld" refrain, "Hello, Newman." Still, he does occasionally yearn for a change of pace.

"You know, one of these days I would like to be just moderately attractive in something I do," said Knight.

That day is not on the immediate horizon, however. So the man who breathes life into one of Hollywood's most laughable villains must content himself with the spoils of character-actor success.

"Well, you know what's amazing? It is the good fortune of being in things that people see," said Knight. "I have friends who work just as hard and have done a number of films that ... never get released, or something doesn't happen. I'm lucky enough to get into things people see, and that is very fortunate."

Unlike his alter ego, Wayne Knight has managed to get the last laugh.

 

Related sites:

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

• NBC.com - Seinfeld
  • Transcript from the NBC Cyberchat with Wayne Knight of "Seinfeld"
• Yahoo! - Seinfeld sites

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

© 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Terms under which this service is provided to you.