It’s been nearly three decades since Elaine Benes first stunned a party crowd and millions of Seinfeld fans with her famously awkward dance. But for Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the woman who played the role, that moment is not something she’s eager to repeat in real life.
While walking the red carpet at the New York City premiere of Thunderbolts, her latest Marvel film, the 64-year-old actress was all smiles. But when the topic of Seinfeld came up, she admitted that fans still stop her with one specific request: “They often come up to me and ask, ‘Do you want to dance?'” she said, mimicking Elaine’s quirky delivery. However, her answer is always ‘no.’
Julia Louis-Dreyfus won’t recreate her famous moves from ‘Seinfeld’
The famous awkward dance happened back in 1996 when Seinfeld aired the “Little Kicks” episode. In the episode, Elaine tried to loosen up her coworkers at a party by dancing first. What followed was a series of jerky, off-beat moves that left the characters and viewers stunned. It was a risk that paid off, and the scene went on to become one of the most shared moments in sitcom history. However, she revealed that she’s not eager to recreate it just to satisfy a stranger’s nostalgia.
Before Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was already making people laugh on shows like Saturday Night Live. But it was Seinfeld that made her a household name. After the show ended, she didn’t stop; she went on to star in The New Adventures of Old Christine and Veep.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is playing a role in the new film ‘Thunderbolts*’
Now, she’s taken on something very different with her role in Thunderbolts*. Playing a serious, powerful character in a superhero movie is a big change from comedy. But for Louis-Dreyfus, that’s the point. “I want to keep trying new things,” she said. “I don’t want to just repeat the past.”
She plays Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in Thunderbolts*. This Marvel role is far from the one she played as Elaine; in this one, she’s a power player who manipulates heroes from behind the scenes. When asked why she took it on, Louis-Dreyfus said it was partly to impress her two sons, Henry and Charlie. And so, while the internet may live forever with clips of Elaine’s unforgettable dance, Julia Louis-Dreyfus is happy to leave it in the past.