- Estelle Harris died on April 2 at the age of 93
- She passed away from natural causes
- Harris was known for playing George Costanza’s mother on ‘Seinfeld’
It has been reported that Estelle Harris died over the weekend. The actress was 93 years old when she passed away of natural causes in Palm Desert, California. News of her passing comes from her son, Glen Harris, who announced on Saturday, “It is with the greatest remorse and sadness to announce that Estelle Harris has passed on this evening at 6:25pm.”
Harris was an actress known for playing Estelle Costanza, the mother of George Costanza, in NBC’s Seinfeld. She also has an extensive filmography that covers film and television, along with voice acting in the Toy Story series, Family Guy, and several Disney animated films.
A community mourns a talented actress and friend
One of my favorite people has passed – my tv mama, Estelle Harris. The joy of playing with her and relishing her glorious laughter was a treat. I adore you, Estelle. Love to your family. Serenity now and always. #RIPEstelleHarris
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) April 3, 2022
Glen’s announcement went on to state, “Her kindness, passion, sensitivity, humor, empathy and love were practically unrivaled, and she will be terribly missed by all those who knew her.” Her career began in the late ’70s and by the ’80s, she became a mainstay in the industry through titles like Once Upon a Time in America (1984), Night Court (1985 to 1986), Married… with Children, Law & Order, Mad About You, and more.
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Her work attracted fans of every generation, as she appeared in both dramas and beloved animated projects alike, including Toy Story 2, 3, and 4 as Mrs. Potato Head, Aladdin the TV series, The Wild Thornberrys, and Brother Bear. Tributes have started to appear from those who worked with Harris, including her TV son from Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, who wrote, “One of my favorite people has passed – my tv mama, Estelle Harris. The joy of playing with her and relishing her glorious laughter was a treat. I adore you, Estelle. Love to your family. Serenity now and always. #RIPEstelleHarris.”
The life of Estelle Harris
Harris was born as Estelle Nussbaum on April 4, 1928, in Manhattan, New York. Six months after meeting window treatment salesman Sy Harris, the two wed and became the parents of three: sons Eric and Glen, and daughter Taryn.
Harris did not establish herself in the industry until her forties; it is reported that she waited for her children to grow up. She continued working until 2019. Harris’s husband himself died on January 11, 2021. She went on to have three grandsons and one great-grandson. Her latest credits were The Slice in 2015 and Toy Story 4 in 2019. Rest in peace.
