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The Success of Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Breaking the Seinfeld Curse
Being the star of a long-running show can have its ups and downs. On one hand, it is a great accomplishment to be part of something successful. However, there is always the fear that audiences will only associate the performer with their iconic role. In the late 1990s, this notion became known as the “Seinfeld curse,” with the cast of the hit show Seinfeld being particularly susceptible to it. But one actress has debunked this superstition and proven that success can extend far beyond a single role – Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Breaking the Curse with a Flourishing Career
Since Seinfeld ended in 1998, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has become the star of two successful television shows, The New Adventures Of Old Christine and Veep. She has also made appearances in acclaimed films like Enough Said and You Hurt My Feelings. Additionally, she has joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Louis-Dreyfus expressed her thoughts on the supposed curse:
“It was invented by the media. They thought it was clever. You don’t need me to prove it wrong, it was ridiculous! It made no sense. I was amazed that it had legs, because it was so moronic. I don’t know how else to say it!”
Comparing Success Stories
Jason Alexander, Michael Richards, and Jerry Seinfeld, Louis-Dreyfus’ co-stars from Seinfeld, have also had varying degrees of success in their post-Seinfeld careers. However, they have all delivered standout performances, including their reunion on the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm. When reflecting on her time on Seinfeld, Louis-Dreyfus mentioned her fondness for watching gag reels and the joy it brings her:
“…if I come across one of those gag reels, I just get a massive kick out of that — only because it brings me back to the wonderful joy we had in making that fucking show.”
A Hilarious Legacy
For those who have seen gag reels from Seinfeld, it’s clear why Julia Louis-Dreyfus has a special attachment to them. The clips showcase her tendency to break character and burst into uncontrollable laughter. One memorable example is from the Season 8 episode “The Little Kicks,” where Louis-Dreyfus struggles to keep a straight face during a scene with Jerry Stiller’s character. It perfectly captures the fun she had on set.
If you want to enjoy hours of laughter and behind-the-scenes stories, I recommend checking out the Seinfeld DVD box set. Alternatively, you can stream the entire series on Netflix to relive the magic of your favorite episodes.
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