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He appeared in just six episodes of one of the greatest sitcoms ever.
Steve Hytner ― best known for his role as Kenny Bania on “Seinfeld” ― says he’s recognized about everywhere he goes and enjoyed his time on the show that ended 27 years ago.
The New York native performs standup and tells stories from the popular ’90s sitcom at four shows Aug. 8-9 at Off The Hook Comedy Club in Naples.
More than ‘Seinfeld’
Hytner’s acting career began in New York City and it was slow going early on, so he tried standup in the 1980s when comedy clubs began to pop up in many cities.
“My friends said, ‘You can’t shut up so you should try that,’ ” he said.
Standup was fun but Hytner still wanted to make acting his career and headed to Los Angeles. There, he still worked some comedy clubs but eventually found his way into television shows and films.
In addition to “Seinfeld,” he’s appeared on shows including “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Friends,” “Roswell,” “The King of Queens, “Two and a Half Men,” “The X-Files,” “That’s So Raven,” “George Lopez” and “The Jeff Foxworthy Show,” to name a few.
Actor Steve Hytner attends “Seinfeld: The Apartment Fan Experience” on Dec. 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Hytner played the character Kenny Bania in the popular 1990s sitcom. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for hulu)
And now after 25 years, he’s come full circle by returning to standup.
How Kenny Bania came to be on ‘Seinfeld’
The character Kenny Bania is a comedian and looks up to Jerry Seinfeld, who finds him annoying and a hack.
Bania is known for phrases like “That’s, gold Jerry! Gold” and “It’s the best, Jerry! The best!”
Working on “Seinfeld” ― which many consider the best sitcom of all time ― was memorable, he said.
“Some people have an experience with a show and, years later, they realize they were on an iconic show,” Hytner said. “While we were shooting it, we knew we were on an iconic show.”
The cast of NBC’s popular comedy series “Seinfeld.” From left are: Michael Richards, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jerry Seinfeld and Jason Alexander. AFP PHOTO (Photo by FILES / AFP) (Photo by FILES/AFP via Getty Images)
Hytner standup meant to make audience feel great
Hytner said he won’t begin discussing his time on “Seinfeld” until about 30 to 40 minutes into his standup.
“I want to get in and kick some butt first,” he said.
In his standup, Hytner said, he wants his audience to enjoy his show.
“If you go see a political comedian, that’s fine, that’s what they do,” he said. “But for me, why do I want to split the room with political jokes? People who’ve had a hard week, they want to laugh.
“I know this sounds ourtageaous, but I try to give my audience what they want.”
Despite so many appearances in movies like the 1993 thriller “In The Line of Fire” co-starring Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich, Hytner knows he’ll forever be known to many as the puppy dog comedian Jerry finds annoying.
“I studied acting very seriously for years and I’ve done some dramatic roles, and this is not a complaint, but once I’ve been Bania then it’s hard for someone to consider you for a strong, serious role.
“If I walked out of the house, someone is going to yell, ‘That’s gold, Jerry, gold!” Hytner added.
WHAT TO KNOW
Where: Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100
When: 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, and 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9
Cost: $25 general admission, plus a fee.
More: offthehookcomedy.com or (239) 389-6901
Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. Contact him at dosborn@gannett.com and follow him on Instagram @lacrossewriter.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: That’s gold, Jerry! Steve Hytner of ‘Seinfeld’ coming to Off The Hook
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