US film and television actor Estelle Harris passed away over the weekend of natural causes at 93 years old, with her agent, Michael Eisenstad confirming her the news on Saturday evening.
The Manhattan-born legend is most famous for playing neurotic shouter George Costanza’s mother, Estelle Costanza in the classic 1990s sitcom Seinfeld, and the biting voice of Mrs. Potato Head in the Toy Story films.
Starring within 27 episodes of Seinfeld, Harris was known for her distinct, comedic flair, as well as her over-the-top maternal idiosyncrasy.
“She is the mother that everybody loves, even though she’s a pain in the neck,” Harris said of her character in 1998.
“[audiences] just look at her as being funny, cute and a loudmouth. But it’s not how I play her. I play her with miser underneath.”
After the nine-season run of Seinfeld ended, Harris went on to voice the iconic character of Mrs. Potato Head in the Toy Story franchise.
Her most recent works include voicing Lady Bear in “Brother Bear” (2003), Mama Gunda in “Tarzan II” (2005) as well as for characters in series including “Hercules,” “The Wild Thornberrys” and “Godzilla: The Series”.
She also played Muriel in the popular Disney Channel sitcom The Suite Life of Zack & Cody; her character was one of the ex-employees of the S.S. Tipton Hotel. There, she was able to introduce her classic deadpan humour to a younger generation of television audiences.
Below we pay tribute to a legend with our Top 4 Estelle Harris Moments:
1. “Amusement Park”: Seinfeld
Making her debut in the tenth episode of the fourth season of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld, Harris was first introduced as the shocked mother who’d just seen her grown adult son pleasing himself — the episode, titled “The Contest” sees the four main characters challenge each other to refrain from doing what is simply described as “that.”
The Emmy Award-winning episode, which aired on November 18, 1992, shows Harris lying on a hospital bed, clad in hospital gown, “I don’t understand you, I really don’t,” she laments to her son, who is sitting next to her, ashamed.
“You have nothing better to do at three in the afternoon? I go out for a quart of milk, I come home and see my son treating his body like it was an amusement park.”
“It’s a good thing I didn’t hit the table, I could have cracked my head open!”
Referring to George’s ‘activity’, she says, “Too bad you can’t do that for a living.”
2. “Mrs. Potato Head packing things inside of Mr. Potato Head’s Butt”
Who can forget the adorable comedic banter between Mrs and Mr Potato Head in the classic Toy Story films. One of our favourite moments was a scene in which the caring wife helps her husband pack right before his big adventure.
3. “I have no eye for fashion? Seinfeld
In the fourth episode of season 6, “The Chinese Woman” George returns home to learn that his parents are not getting a divorce, after all. George mentions his father’s lawyer, who wears a cape.
“He looked ridiculous in that thing!” Estelle said.
“You have no eye for fashion!” yelled Frank.
“I have no eye for fashion?” Estelle swipes back.
4. “Merlot? I’ve never heard of it. Did they just invent it?”
In The Rye, the eleventh episode in season 7, the newly engaged George and Susan are meeting Susan’s parents for the first time. After a few awkward statements, Susan picks up a bottle of red and asks casually, “How do you like the Merlot?”
Estelle promptly pitches in: “Merlot? I’ve never heard of it. Did they just invent it?”
Harris is survived by three children, three grandsons, and a great grandson.