Michael Richards Reveals Cancer Diagnosis, Admits He Would Have Died Within Eight Months

Seinfeld star Michael Richards is releasing a memoir after a nearly two-decade retreat from the spotlight, following the 2006 incident in which he hurled racist epithets at a group of hecklers during a standup comedy performance. And in addition to opening up about the Laugh Factory incident, the 74-year-old revealed that he was diagnosed with Stage 1 prostate cancer back in 2018.

In the book, titled Entrances and Exits, Richards says that he learned of his cancer after a routine checkup detected high PSA levels. When the biopsy didn't look good, his doctor recommended surgery to remove the entire prostate. However, the comedian had a moment of pause before agreeing to the surgery.

"I thought, well, this is my time. I'm ready to go," the comedian told People ahead of the book's release. "But then my son came to mind just a few seconds later and I heard myself saying, 'I've got a 9-year-old and I'd like to be around for him. Is there any way I can get a little more life going?'"

Richards shares one son with his wife Beth Skipp. The pair have been together since 2002 and married in 2010.

"It had to be contained quickly," he explained. "I had to go for the full surgery. If I hadn't, I probably would have been dead in about eight months." However, it was that harrowing diagnosis and coming face-to-face with his mortality that made Richards decide to tell his story.

"I had over 40 journals I’d kept over the years and wanted to do a full review of my life," he continued. "I’m turning 75, so maybe wanting to do that is something that comes with being my age. I wanted to connect with feelings and memory. I’m surprised at how much I was able to remember."

Entrances and Exits is scheduled for release on June, 4, 2024.