seinfeld question - about george?

Question

in seinfeld, is the character of george costanza (jason alexander) supposed to be italian or jewish?

Answer 1

I used to wonder about this, and came to the conclusion that his father was of Italian descent, and his mother of Jewish, with George choosing an agnostic lifestyle. Here's what Wikipedia says on the matter:-

Unlike Jerry, George is never specifically identified as Jewish - or any other religion. In the episode "The Mentor," it is implied that Frank, George's father, is a member of the Knights of Columbus, an all Catholic fraternal organization. It's also revealed Frank has relatives in Italy. This would strongly suggest Frank is Catholic. Of course Jews count one a Jew through the mother not the father. So it is really Estelle that would determine if George is a Jew. She has revealed her unwillingness to ride in German automobiles, and while Estelle could be said to "act sterotypically Jewish" for instance she plays mahjong, a popular game in Jewish circles, nothing is definite. Estelle living in New York with a large Jewish population could simply have gotten the mannerisms through her friends.

However, some viewers believe his depiction in the series to be tacitly Jewish in nature:

* In two separate episodes, George whistles or wordlessly sings "If I Were A Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof, a musical about Jewish life.

* In "The Serenity Now", George provides Elaine with sage advice on why her former boss Mr. Lippman and his son are so attracted to her. George says "Well...They're Jewish, and you're a shiksa...You've got 'shiksappeal'. Jewish men love the idea of meeting a woman that's not like their mother".

* When Estelle Harris, who plays George's mother joined the cast, and asked Larry David if her character was Jewish, David would only respond with a noncommittal "why do you care?"[1]

Other allusions to the question of religion:

* In "The Conversion", George converts to Latvian Orthodox so that he can date his girlfriend who will only date within her faith. When George's parents discover his plan to convert, they are furious (Frank thinks that it's the group that "goes around mutilating squirrels").

* In "The Strike", it is revealed that George's father Frank invented the December holiday Festivus to counter the commercialism of Christmas. When George was a child, he was forced to celebrate the holiday, and as a result George hates Festivus. George shows his feelings for the holiday when he refuses to take down Frank in the Feats of Strength (but Frank provokes him into doing it anyway).

* In "The Pilot, Part 1" it is revealed that George doesn't believe in God except for the "bad things" in life.

Answer 2

He plays an Italian but Jason Alexander (real name Jay Greenspan) is Jewish. The character is based on Larry David, star of Curb Your Enthusiasm, but the name Costanza comes from a guy named Mike Costanza that Jerry knew from his time at Queens College. He filed a lawsuit against the show but it was thrown out of court in 2001. Mike did have a role as a truck driver in an episode.

Answer 3

I would imagine Italian from the sound of his name Costanza...definitely Italian

Answer 4

His father [Frank] is an Italian jew but I think George was supposed to be born in New York.

Answer 5

George was a character based on Larry David, the co-creator of the show. Larry David is Jewish. (I watch Curb your Enthusiasm - Larry David's new show on HBO.)

Answer 6

Believe it or not, George, Isn't at home, please leave a message, at the beep; I must be out, or I'd pick up the phone; where could I be? believe it or not, I'm not home!"

Answer 7

it is italian but the actor maybe jew
or the mother character .....

Answer 8

in the show his character was American

Answer 9

Dont know, never seen it (him/her) just want my 2 points