Actor Michael Richards, best known for his role as the eccentric Cosmo Kramer on “Seinfeld,” earns unfavorable reviews from 42% of the American public. Thirty-two percent (32%) view him favorably. The actor is once again registering on the public’s radar after racist comments he made at a comedy club in Los Angeles were caught on videotape and circulated throughout the media.

Following that incident, fans of the Seinfeld TV show are evenly divided about the man who portrayed Kramer—45% have a favorable opinion of him and 41% unfavorable.

What started as an ordinary appearance at The Laugh Factory on November 17 ended with Richards unleashing a blistering response to patrons heckling his performance. The actor’s comments included racial slurs and profanity.

Since the incident, Richards has issued several apologies. He appeared via satellite during a segment of “The Late Show with David Letterman” featuring his former co-star Jerry Seinfeld and also visited Rev. Jesse Jackson’s radio show to apologize for the incident. Forty-five percent (45%) believe Richards’ apologies are sincere while 24% are unmoved.

One individual can sympathize with Richards’ current bought of bad press is fellow actor Mel Gibson,who was slammed for racist comments he made during an arrest in August for drunk driving. Only 28% of those surveyed about Gibson’s conduct shortly after the arrest said they had an unfavorable opinion of the actor and 52% believed his apologies to be sincere.

Sixty percent (60%) of Americans say they have read, seen or heard the recent news stories detailing The Laugh Factory incident. Only 28% say they haven’t seen any news coverage of the story at all.

Following news of Richards’ troubles, sales of “Seinfeld’s” Season 7 have reportedly surpassed those of the previous season’s by 75%.

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