Childhood and Education Journey of Jerry Seinfeld in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Jerry Seinfeld. A timeline of key moments.

Jerry Seinfeld is a highly successful American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer, renowned for his observational comedy. He achieved widespread fame as a semi-fictionalized version of himself in the iconic NBC sitcom "Seinfeld," which he co-created and co-wrote with Larry David. The show garnered critical acclaim and remains one of the most popular sitcoms ever made, earning Seinfeld a Golden Globe Award. Following "Seinfeld," he created and produced the reality series "The Marriage Ref" and the web series "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee," winning three Webby Awards for the latter. He also co-produced, co-wrote, and starred in the animated film "Bee Movie" and the comedy "Unfrosted."

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1917: Seinfeld's grandparents immigration

In 1917, Seinfeld's maternal grandparents immigrated to the United States from Aleppo, Syria. Their nationality was recorded as Turkish since Syria was under the Ottoman Empire at the time.

April 29, 1954: Birth of Jerome Allen Seinfeld

On April 29, 1954, Jerome Allen Seinfeld, who would later become a famous comedian, was born.

Others born on this day/year

1955: Owned Porsche 550 Spyder

Jerry Seinfeld's car collection includes the 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, the same model and pearl-grey color of the car James Dean was driving in his fatal crash.

1967: Fiat 500 Production Year

In 1967, a Fiat 500 was produced. In 2008, Jerry Seinfeld was involved in a car accident driving it when the brakes failed.

1971: Porsche 917 driven in Le Mans

Steve McQueen's Porsche 917 Chassis 022, was driven extensively in the 1971 film Le Mans.

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1976: Graduation from Queens College

In 1976, Seinfeld graduated from Queens College of the City University of New York with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and theater.

1984: Called off engagement

On national television in 1984, Jerry Seinfeld mentioned that he was engaged but called it off.

May 1993: Met Shoshanna Lonstein

In May 1993, Jerry Seinfeld, then 39, met 17-year-old Shoshanna Lonstein in Central Park. After a brief conversation, Lonstein gave Seinfeld her phone number.

1994: Honorary Doctorate from Queens College

In 1994, Jerry Seinfeld received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Queens College.

1997: Relationship with Shoshanna Lonstein ended

Jerry Seinfeld and Shoshanna Lonstein dated for approximately four years, until 1997. She cited constant press coverage and missing New York City as reasons for the relationship ending.

August 1998: Met Jessica Sklar

In August 1998, Jerry Seinfeld met Jessica Sklar at a Reebok Sports Club. Sklar, a public relations executive for Tommy Hilfiger, had just returned from a three-week honeymoon in Italy and was still married. Unaware of Sklar's marital status, Seinfeld invited her out.

1998: The final episode of Seinfeld aired

In 1998, the final episode of Seinfeld aired, though the show has remained popular in syndication.

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1998: Seinfeld sitcom ended

In 1998, the final episode of the sitcom Seinfeld aired, marking the end of its successful run.

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December 25, 1999: Married Jessica Sklar

On December 25, 1999, Jerry Seinfeld married Jessica Sklar. Comedian George Wallace was the best man at the wedding.

1999: Porsche 959 Made Street Legal

In 1999, Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche 959 was made U.S. street legal under the "Show or Display" federal law.

2000: Political Contributions

In 2000, Jerry Seinfeld made political contributions to George W. Bush's and Al Gore's presidential campaigns, and subsequently to four Democratic Party primary candidates.

2000: Bought Billy Joel's house

In 2000, Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld bought Billy Joel's house in Amagansett, New York, for US $32 million after news of the couple's interest in the property became public.

2002: Acquired Steve McQueen's Porsche 917

In 2002, Jerry Seinfeld acquired Steve McQueen's Porsche 917 Chassis 022, driven extensively in the 1971 film Le Mans, and restored it to the 1971-era Gulf Porsche team livery.

2002: Purchased property on the Upper West Side

In 2002, Jerry Seinfeld purchased property on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City where he built a $1.4 million two-story garage to store Porsches.

2004: Political Contributions

In 2004, Jerry Seinfeld made political contributions to four Democratic Party primary candidates, after contributing to both George W. Bush's and Al Gore's presidential campaigns in 2000.

2008: Car Accident

In 2008, Jerry Seinfeld was involved in a car accident when the brakes on his 1967 Fiat 500 failed. To avoid an intersection, he pulled the emergency brake while turning sharply, causing the car to flip onto its side. No one was hurt.

2009: David Lynch Foundation Benefit Appearance

In 2009, Jerry Seinfeld appeared at a David Lynch Foundation benefit for Transcendental Meditation, at which Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr appeared.

August 30, 2010: Guest appearance on The Howard Stern Show

On August 30, 2010, Seinfeld made a surprise guest appearance on The Howard Stern Show, ending a feud between the two from the early 1990s.

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2011: The Marriage Ref series ended

In 2011, The Marriage Ref concluded after a two-year run.

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December 2012: Transcendental Meditation Promotion

In December 2012, Jerry Seinfeld said that he had been practicing Transcendental Meditation for 40 years. He promoted the use of the technique in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder with Bob Roth of the David Lynch Foundation on Good Morning America.

2013: Coffee Culture Influence

In 2013, when NPR asked Jerry Seinfeld about the influence of coffee culture in the U.S., he responded.

2014: Commented on Autism Spectrum

In 2014, Jerry Seinfeld made statements suggesting that he believed he was on the autism spectrum in an interview with NBC News. However, following criticism for his alleged self-diagnosis, he later clarified that he is not autistic and had been commenting on a play about the condition that he "related to [...] on some level".

November 5, 2015: "Change Begins Within" Benefit Concert

On November 5, 2015, the David Lynch Foundation organized a benefit concert at New York City's Carnegie Hall called "Change Begins Within" to promote transcendental meditation for stress control. Jerry Seinfeld expressed his support for the technique.

2015: Avoiding College Campuses

In 2015, Jerry Seinfeld stated that he avoids performing on college campuses because students have become too easily offended by his comedic routines.

2018: West Bank Anti-Terrorism Simulation Camp

In 2018, Jerry Seinfeld and his family drew criticism for travelling to the occupied West Bank to participate in an anti-terrorism simulation camp.

2019: Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee ended

In 2019, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee concluded its run.

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2023: Visit to Abducted and Missing Families Forum

In 2023, Jerry Seinfeld visited the headquarters of Abducted and Missing Families Forum where he met with representatives of the families and with abductees who returned from Hamas captivity, and listened to their stories.

May 12, 2024: Duke University Commencement Address and Honorary Degree

On May 12, 2024, Jerry Seinfeld gave a commencement address and received an honorary degree at Duke University. During his speech, a number of students booed, waved Palestinian flags and walked out in protest.

May 2024: GQ Interview: 10 Things Jerry Seinfeld Can't Live Without

In May 2024, Jerry Seinfeld revealed in a GQ interview that a Bialetti moka pot is one of his must-haves, describing the process of making coffee with it as complex and time-consuming, but a pleasurable way to "waste time".

June 2024: Heckled at Comedy Show in Sydney, Australia

In June 2024, Jerry Seinfeld was heckled by protesters during a comedy show in Sydney, Australia. Seinfeld responded with a joke. A similar incident occurred at a later show in Melbourne.

2024: Honorary Doctor of Arts from Duke University

In 2024, Jerry Seinfeld received an Honorary Doctor of Arts from Duke University.

2024: Comments on Political Correctness and Comedy

In a 2024 interview with The New Yorker, Jerry Seinfeld claimed political correctness was destroying comedy. Months later, he walked back those comments on the "Breaking Bread" podcast, stating he regrets his previous comments.

2025: "I don't care about Palestine" Remark

In 2025, responding to a social media influencer and ambush activist who said "Free Palestine", Jerry Seinfeld shook his head and replied "I don't care about Palestine."