On “Seinfeld,” George Costanza’s loud, excitable mother is named Estelle Costanza.
Estelle is the wife of Frank Costanza and the mother of George. She is played by Estelle Harris, whose high-pitched, forceful delivery helped make the character one of the sitcom’s most memorable recurring relatives. Estelle and Frank constantly argue, often turning ordinary domestic disagreements into theatrical confrontations.
The character appears in 29 episodes and is portrayed as melodramatic, outspoken, and frequently appalled by George’s choices. Despite her volatility, she is sometimes described as the closest thing to a voice of reason in the Costanza household. Her relationship with George is especially comic because she alternates between criticizing him and defending him.
A common mix-up is confusing Estelle Costanza with Estelle Harris, the actress who played her. The character’s first name is Estelle; Harris is the performer’s surname. George’s father is Frank Costanza, a separate character played first by John Randolph and later, more famously, by Jerry Stiller.