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, best known for his observational comedy. He achieved widespread recognition as a semi-fictionalized version of himself in the iconic NBC sitcom Seinfeld (1989–1998), which he co-created and wrote with Larry David. Seinfeld won a Golden Globe for his role in the show, cementing its status as one of the most acclaimed sitcoms ever. Following Seinfeld, he created and produced The Marriage Ref, and hosted the web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Seinfeld also co-produced, co-wrote, and starred in the animated film Bee Movie (2007) and the Netflix comedy Unfrosted (2024).

Sections (4)

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

1917: Immigration of grandparents

In 1917, Jerry Seinfeld's maternal grandparents, Selim and Salha Hosni, immigrated. They were Syrian Jews from Aleppo but their nationality was stated as Turkish, as Syria was under the Ottoman Empire.

1935: Favorite Film: A Night at the Opera

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jerry Seinfeld stated that A Night at the Opera (1935) is one of his five favorite films.

Loading Video...

April 29, 1954: Jerry Seinfeld's Birth

On April 29, 1954, Jerome Allen Seinfeld, known as Jerry Seinfeld, was born. He is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer.

Others born on this day/year

1955: Owning the 1955 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: Favorite Film: The Graduate

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jerry Seinfeld stated that The Graduate (1967) is one of his five favorite films.

Loading Video...

1967: 1967 Fiat 500

Jerry Seinfeld was involved in a car accident in 2008 when the brakes on his 1967 Fiat 500 failed.

1971: Porsche 917 driven in Le Mans

Jerry Seinfeld's car collection includes Steve McQueen's Porsche 917 Chassis 022, driven extensively in the 1971 film Le Mans.

Loading Video...

1972: Favorite Film: The Heartbreak Kid

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jerry Seinfeld stated that The Heartbreak Kid (1972) is one of his five favorite films.

Loading Video...

1976: Graduation from Queens College

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

1979: Favorite Film: The In-Laws

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jerry Seinfeld stated that The In-Laws (1979) is one of his five favorite films.

Loading Video...

1984: Engaged and called it off

On national television with sex therapist and talk show host Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Jerry Seinfeld mentioned that he was engaged in 1984 but called it off.

1992: Favorite Film: Glengarry Glen Ross

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jerry Seinfeld stated that Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) is one of his five favorite films.

Loading Video...

May 1993: Met Shoshanna Lonstein in Central Park

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

1994: Receives 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's relationship with Shoshanna Lonstein ended in 1997. She transferred from George Washington University to UCLA, in part to be with him, ultimately citing 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, a public relations executive for Tommy Hilfiger, at a Reebok Sports Club. At the time, Sklar had just returned from a three-week honeymoon in Italy with then-husband Eric Nederlander.

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: Auctioned Breitling Chronomat Watch

In 1999, Jerry Seinfeld auctioned a Breitling Chronomat watch as part of the "Famous Faces, Watch Auction For Charity" event in New York City. The watch sold for $11,000.

1999: Porsche 959 Made Street Legal

In 1999, Jerry Seinfeld's $700,000 Porsche 959, one of only 337 built, was made U.S. street legal under the "Show or Display" federal law.

2000: Political Contributions to Bush and Gore Campaigns

In 2000, Jerry Seinfeld made political contributions to both George W. Bush's and Al Gore's presidential campaigns.

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.

2001: Created Good+Foundation

In 2001, Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld created the charitable organization Good+Foundation after their first child was born. The foundation grants donations of products and services to programs that address family poverty.

2002: Purchased Property on 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.

2002: Acquired Steve McQueen's Porsche 917

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

November 18, 2004: Donation of "puffy shirt" to museum

On November 18, 2004, Jerry Seinfeld donated the "puffy shirt" from the Seinfeld episode to the National Museum of American History.

2004: Contributions to Democratic Primary Candidates

In 2004, Jerry Seinfeld contributed to four Democratic Party primary candidates.

2008: Car Accident in Fiat 500

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: Seinfeld Appears at David Lynch Foundation Benefit

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

June 23, 2010: Called four innings of a Mets game on SNY

On June 23, 2010, Jerry Seinfeld called four innings of a New York Mets game on SNY. He reunited with analyst Keith Hernandez, who appeared in the Seinfeld episode "The Boyfriend".

Loading Video...

December 2012: Seinfeld Promotes Transcendental Meditation

In December 2012, Jerry Seinfeld, who has practiced Transcendental Meditation for 40 years, promoted the technique's use in treating post-traumatic stress disorder with Bob Roth of the David Lynch Foundation on Good Morning America.

2013: Seinfeld on Coffee Culture in the U.S.

In 2013, Jerry Seinfeld discussed the influence of coffee culture in the U.S. during an interview with NPR, highlighting his appreciation for espresso and coffee-making.

2014: Statements about the autism spectrum

In a 2014 interview with NBC News, Jerry Seinfeld made statements suggesting he believed he was on the autism spectrum. However, after criticism, he clarified that he is not autistic and was commenting on a play about the condition that he "related to [...] on some level".

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

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

2018: Seinfeld Participates in Anti-Terrorism Simulation in West Bank

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

2023: Seinfeld Visits Abducted and Missing Families Forum

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

May 12, 2024: Seinfeld Receives Honorary Degree at Duke University Amidst Protests

On May 12, 2024, Jerry Seinfeld delivered a commencement address and received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree at Duke University, where some students booed and protested with Palestinian flags.

May 2024: Seinfeld's "Must-Haves" include Bialetti moka pot

In a May 2024 GQ interview, Jerry Seinfeld listed a Bialetti moka pot as one of his "must-haves," appreciating the time-consuming process of making coffee with it.

2024: Receives Honorary Doctorate from Duke University

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

2025: Seinfeld Responds to "Free Palestine" Activist

In 2025, Jerry Seinfeld responded to a social media influencer who said "Free Palestine" by shaking his head and replying “I don't care about Palestine.”