Estella Harris was famous for playing Jason Alexander‘s character’s mother Estelle Costanza on Seinfeld. According to reports, Harris died over the weekend of natural causes. She was born in Manhatten, New York in April of 1928. The 22nd of this month would have been her 94th birthday making her an elite member of a shrinking number of Hollywood stars who lived through the Great Depression.
Standing at just a whopping, 5’2, Harris was best known for her sassy nature and firey comebacks. Much like the recently deceased Betty White, Harris was a queen in comedy and quick with the oneliner zingers.
Her family announced her death in a statement to Deadline on Saturday:
“It is with the greatest remorse and sadness to announce that Estelle Harris has passed on this evening at 6:25 p.m.,” her son Glen Harris shared.
“Her kindness, passion, sensitivity, humor, empathy, and love were practically unrivaled, and she will be terribly missed by all those who knew her,” he continued.
Alexander mourned his late TV mom with a Twitter tribute Saturday night, writing, “One of my favorite people has passed – my tv mama, Estelle Harris. The joy of playing with her and relishing her glorious laughter was a treat. I adore you, Estelle. Love to your family. Serenity now and always.”
One of my favorite people has passed – my tv mama, Estelle Harris. The joy of playing with her and relishing her glorious laughter was a treat. I adore you, Estelle. Love to your family. Serenity now and always. #RIPEstelleHarris
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) April 3, 2022
Harris was also a celebrated voice actor, most well known for her role as Mrs. Potato Head (opposite Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head) in the second, third, and fourth installments of Toy Story. Harris also voiced characters in animated movies like Brother Bear and Tarzan II, as well as in animated series like Hercules and The Wild Thornberrys. According to Deadline, Harris also had a prolific career in television commercials, and was at one point known on Madison Avenue as the “Queen of Commercials.” She is survived by her three children, three grandsons, and one great-grandson.
Erica Carlin is an independent journalist, opinion writer and contributor to several news and opinion sources. She is based in Georgia.