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hiram kasten

TV actor, comedian, and Batavia resident Hiram Kasten passes away at 71

By Howard B. Owens
hiram kasten
Hiram Kasten as Joey Bishop in the Las Vegas production of The Rat Pack.
Submitted photo.

Comedian, stage and TV actor, and Batavia resident for more than a decade, Hiram Kasten, passed away Sunday morning at Crossroads House. He was 71.

Kasten's TV roles included a recurring part of Seinfeld, the character Michael, a co-worker of Elaine Benes (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus). He had guest starring roles in “Mad About You,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Some of his other TV credits included “7th Heaven”, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Saved by the Bell,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Cybill,” and “L.A. Law.” 

One of his proudest roles was playing Joey Bishop in the hit Las Vegas review The Rat Pack. 

While working in New York, Kasten met his future wife, a young lady from Batavia, Diana Kisiel.  They married on June 15, 1986.  They later relocated to Los Angeles, where they lived for 25 years before moving to Batavia.

Their daughter, Millicent Jade Kastenbaum, now lives in Manhattan and is an assistant district attorney.

Hiram is the son of Samuel Kastenbaum and Mildred Polansky Kastenbaum. He was born in the Bronx on Oct. 30, 1952.

For his full obituary, click here.

hiram kasten muckdogs
File photo: Hiram Kasten after throwing out the first pitch at a Batavia Muckdogs game in 2013.
Photo by Howard Owens

Mid Winter Mixer

By Bea McManis

Mid Winter Mixer

Saturday February 28th

GO ART! Center, Seymour Place, 201 East Main Street, Batavia 14020

6:30 - 9:00 PM

Here is what your $25 donation gives you:

Entertainment by comic, comedian, local radio star, Hiram Kasten

Wine, beer and delicious appetizers

Event Date and Time
-

Photo: Today's first pitch tossed out by Hiram Kasten

By Howard B. Owens

Hiram Kasten, who appeared in numerous television shows, such as "Seinfeld" and "Everybody Loves Raymond," during his acting career in Hollywood, throws out the first pitch prior to today's Batavia Muckdog's game, which started at 11:05 a.m. Kasten's wife, Diana, is a Batavia native and the Kastens now live in Batavia while Hiram pursues roles on Broadway.

Carlos Lopez, who caught the first pitch, and Hiram Kasten.

Comedian and TV regular Hiram Kasten at GO ART! Salon

By Billie Owens

GO ART! Salon presents "Without a Net: A Show Biz Odyssey" with comedian Hiram Kasten at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21 at Seymour Place, 201 East Main St., Batavia. Reservations are required.

Kasten is a familiar face on many of television's most popular programs. He has guest starred on "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "My Wife and Kids," "Sabrina The Teenage Witch," "Mad About You," "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and many, many more.

He was a regular on the fifth season of "Seinfeld" as Elaine's office chum Michael, and was regularly befuddled as the friendly pharmacist Mr. Piel on "Seventh Heaven." Kasten has also guest starred on several hour-long dramas such as "Without A Trace" on CBS along with "Dirty, Sexy Money" on ABC. He has been on Ray Romano's new series, "Men of a Certain Age."

As a comedian, he has performed all over the country and starred in the hit show, "The Rat Pack is Back" in Las Vegas. As a regular opener for old friend Jerry Seinfeld, amongst others, Kasten is known for his storytelling skills that make each evening's show special and new.

Now, alone on stage with nothing but his mouth, Hiram Kasten takes us on the unique odyssey of a poor kid from the Bronx, who only wanted to be on television and, while never at a loss for detractors, he traveled the road less taken to see his dream come true.

With his sharp wit unleashed, he shares the story of a passionate life lived each day without a net, all the while befriending some of the biggest names in show business.

From the nightclubs in New York City, to the casinos of Las Vegas, to standing on the immortalized sound stages of Hollywood, the personal and behind-the-scenes moments that Hiram Kasten shares are at turns hilarious and touching, instructive and inspirational, and as true and beautiful as the human comedy itself.

A themed light supper and beverages are served with this Salon.

A contribution of $22 for GO ART! members, $25 for non-members is requested...or enjoy the series of three at $60 for members, $70 for non-members.

To make reservations, please contact GO ART! at 343-9313 or info@GOart.org. For more information on the series, visit www.GOart.org.

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