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Seinfeld is an interesting study in the world of show business.
He's known, yes known, since early in his life that he would
be a comedian. He would allow nothing to interfere with that
vision. Obsessively driven, his reputation is that of a
highly disciplined guy who'll outwork and out study everyone.
When others grew weary of life on the road, Seinfeld was just
getting warmed up. He loves everything about his chosen
life's work, and couldn't stand to be away from it. "Four
days is about my maximum without working."
He is an astute observer of the little details of life and a
perfectionist in sharing those with others. Despite his
success in stand-up and on the small screen, Seinfeld insists
he's not much of a conversationalist. "I usually don't have
much to say or much interest in what anyone else is saying."
The only thing he doesn't enjoy about life on the road is
sitting next to someone who wants to talk.
When a New York columnist wrote that he was "absolutely
empty," Seinfeld used the criticism to grit his teeth and
push onward. Leaving never crossed his mind.
"Growing up, I was your typical smart-ass wisenheimer," he
says. Former classmates referred to him as a nerd and said
he was far from the funniest kid in class.
His first accountant took off with $50,000 of Jerry's money.
Rather than pitch a fit and dwell on it, Seinfeld simply
hired a person he knew he could trust, his sister, to manage
his money. She had no credentials, but he didn't care.
Seinfeld and friends both said the incident was never about
the money, because he knew he would make it back.
Then there's Shoshanna, his teenage paramour. Nobody will
admit to knowing exactly why they broke up. Some say it was
Jerry's obsession with work. Others say it was Shoshanna's
inability to deal with the tabloids, something he had warned
her about in suggesting she not be seen with old boyfriends.
Seinfeld married Shoshanna lookalike, Jessica Sklar, in
December of last year.
So what's our best guess about this Hollywood and New York
celebrity? Two things seem clear to us: He Thinks Diligent
and Emotes Sentinel. For Diligent, we cite his obsession
with details and the logical planning and execution of his
life and career. As to Sentinel, we submit his disdain for
revealing vulnerabilities, placing trust above credentials,
and his difficulties with Shoshanna.
The Working realm is more difficult to judge. At first glance,
his work and history appear to be driven by Visionary moxie,
tick-tock and focus. But missing is any form of people-
betterment. Jerry Seinfeld is in it for the perfection of his
work, and sounds more Idealist to us. Missing, however, are
the Idealist trappings of money, flashy and fame, but his
obsession to be the best is unmistakable. "When the audience
applauds," he says, "it's not for me. It's for the
work I've done."
Jerry Seinfeld: Diligent/Idealist/Sentinel.
Our thanks to Kathleen Tracy and her book, "Jerry Seinfeld,
The Entire Domain."
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