23 November 2006
The comic actor Michael Richards, better known as Cosmo Kramer in the long-running TV show "Seinfeld", has apologized for a racist outburst that was captured on film and broadcast across the United States. Richards, 57, took exception when some black audience members talked during his act at a Los Angeles comedy club on Friday. In a television appearance on Monday night, after news of the tirade broke, Richards apologized, telling talk show host David Letterman that he was not a racist but had lost his temper. "I was at a comedy club trying to do my act, and I got heckled and I took it badly and went into a rage," Richards said. "For me to be in a comedy club and flip out and say this crap, I'm deeply, deeply sorry. I'm not a racist. That's what's so insane about this." Richards went on to say that his performance technique may be responsible for the comments. Throughout the tirade, which lasted for two minutes, the audience became confused, uncertain whether the extreme language was part of Richards' act.
