In a candid conversation on In Godfrey We Trust, legendary comedian George Wallace opens up about his long-standing friendship with Jerry Seinfeld, their time as roommates, and his unexpected influence on Seinfeld’s George Costanza character.
Wallace reveals that he and Seinfeld were roommates for 13 years, a bond that extended beyond their shared living space. He was even the best man at Seinfeld’s wedding, reinforcing their deep connection. Wallace claims that he is “the real George,” referencing how the Seinfeld character George Costanza was indirectly named after him.
During the discussion, a question arises: why wasn’t the character of George portrayed as a Black man, given Wallace’s real-life friendship with Seinfeld? Wallace acknowledges the validity of the question but explains that Seinfeld was centered around Upper West Side Jewish culture, which heavily influenced the show’s creative direction. A surprising revelation follows—Chris Rock was reportedly considered for the role of George Costanza at one point. However, Jason Alexander ultimately made the character his own.
The conversation takes a turn to a past controversy involving a panel discussion between Chris Rock, Louis C.K., Ricky Gervais, and Jerry Seinfeld, where the use of the N-word became a topic of debate. Wallace recalls Seinfeld refusing to engage with the racial slur, stating that he never used the word nor found it funny. Wallace sees this as a testament to Seinfeld’s character, suggesting that Seinfeld was aware that Wallace might be watching and made a conscious choice to distance himself from the situation.
Wallace also touches on his own philosophy of keeping friendships separate from business, referencing comedian Gary Shandling’s falling out with a close friend over a TV role. He believes maintaining a strong friendship often means avoiding professional entanglements that could strain the relationship. In fact, Wallace only made a single guest appearance on Seinfeld, which he credits as a reason why their friendship has endured for over four decades.
Wallace shares a humorous anecdote about Seinfeld’s forgetfulness. After attending Seinfeld’s annual Super Bowl gatherings for nearly 30 years, Wallace was told there wouldn’t be a party for one year. However, on game day, Seinfeld called him, asking what time he was coming over. When Wallace reminded him that he had canceled the gathering, Seinfeld jokingly responded, “You ain’t nobody!”
Wallace recounts how he met another of Seinfeld’s old roommates, a Black man named Lawrence, who recalled attending Seinfeld’s very first open mic. Wallace humorously recalls telling Seinfeld after the performance: “You’re not that funny, but you’re going to be famous.” His prediction, of course, came true.
