THE AMERICA ONE NEWS
Jun 2, 2025  |  
0
 | Remer,MN
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge.
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge and Reasoning Support for Fantasy Sports and Betting Enthusiasts.
back  
topic
Fox News
Fox News
23 May 2024


Since his racist outburst nearly two decades ago, "Seinfeld" actor Michael Richards has remained predominately out of the spotlight. Earlier this month, he returned to the red carpet for the first time in eight years to support his former co-star Jerry Seinfeld at the premiere of his new movie.

But next month, those private years of Richards' life will be made accessible with the release of his memoir, "Entrances and Exits." In his book, the actor reveals that he quietly battled prostate cancer.

He spoke with People magazine about the devastating diagnosis, which came in 2018, admitting that he had reconciled with death very early.

'SEINFELD' STAR MICHAEL RICHARDS MAKES FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE IN 8 YEARS TO REUNITE WITH JERRY SEINFELD

Michael Richards in a dark suit and round glasses smiles on the carpet

Michael Richards shared that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018. (Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage/Getty Images)

Michael Richard and Jerry Seinfeld on the carpet with Jerry's arm extended

Michael Richards and Jerry Seinfeld posed on the carpet together in May 2023. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

"I thought, well, this is my time. I'm ready to go," the 74-year-old told the outlet. During a checkup, doctors discovered he had high PSA levels and determined he had stage 1 prostate cancer.

"But then my son came to mind just a few seconds later and I heard myself saying, 'I've got a nine-year-old, and I'd like to be around for him. Is there any way I can get a little more life going?'"

Richards said his doctor suggested surgery and removing his entire prostate. "It had to be contained quickly," he explained. "I had to go for the full surgery. If I hadn't, I probably would have been dead in about eight months."

'Seinfeld's' Michael Richards' smokes in a doctor's office on the show

Michael Richards, pictured here playing Cosmo Kramer on "Seinfeld," says having a son motivated him to fight cancer. (Joey Delvalle/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images)

Richard said getting sick was one reason he chose to publish his book. Another reason was that he had accumulated so much material over the course of his life.

"I had over 40 journals I’d kept over the years and wanted to do a full review of my life," he shared. "I’m turning 75, so maybe wanting to do that is something that comes with being my age."  

"I wanted to connect with feelings and memory. I’m surprised at how much I was able to remember," he said.

Michael Richards soft smiles on the carpet in a brown coat

Michael Richards says he had accumulated many stories by the time he decided to publish his memoir. (Rob Latour/WWD/Penske Media)

Richards recently spoke to Fox News Digital about his memoir, which includes anecdotes about the evolution of his character Kramer and other behind-the-scenes revelations. The book will also address his infamous racist rant.

In 2006, Richards received immense backlash after he shouted racial slurs at hecklers in the audience of his stand-up show at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles. The situation "drove him to a lifelong spiritual quest, one that would help him move forward from apology and accountability to a greater appreciation for our shared humanity, a quest that continues to this day almost eighteen years later," according to his publisher, Permuted Press.  

Caroline Thayer is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Follow Caroline Thayer on Twitter at @carolinejthayer. Story tips can be sent to caroline.thayer@fox.com.