Jerry Seinfeld says he misses ‘dominant masculinity’ in society: ‘I like a real man’

The comedian admitted he knew it was “toxic”, but that he’d always wanted to be a “real man” while growing up.

Jerry Seinfeld. Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Jerry Seinfeld said he missed “dominant” masculinity in society while talking about his new Netflix film, Unfrosted, a comedy about the launch of Pop-Tarts in the ’60s.

During an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of The Free Press’ Honestly podcast, he talked about how much he wanted to be a “real man” while growing up.

“And the other thing is, as a man — I’ve always wanted to be a real man. I’ve never made it,” the 70-year-old joked, saying that his “childish pursuit” of comedy stopped him, reports Page Six.

The Seinfeld star explained that growing up, he wanted to be just like former President John F. Kennedy, Muhammad Ali, Sean Connery and Howard Cosell — all of whom he considers “real” men.

“But I miss a dominant masculinity,” he said as journalist Bari Weiss let out a nervous laugh.

“Yeah, I get the toxic thing,” he added. “But still, I like a real man.”

Seinfeld misses “dominant masculinity”. Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Seinfeld also called out Hugh Grant, who stars in his new movie, as the perfect example of a “real man.”

“That’s why I love Hugh Grant,” he explained. “Because he felt like one of those guys I wanted to be. He knows how to dress, he knows how to talk, he’s charming, he has stories, he’s comfortable at dinner parties, he knows how to get a drink … I love those movements of style.”

Along with Grant, Seinfeld also enlisted the help of Melissa McCarthy, Amy Schumer and Jim Gaffigan for the new Netflix film, which he wanted to make as a distraction from the tiresome political climate.

“We started during Covid because I couldn’t take the sad faces,” Seinfeld said. “In comedy, we hate that.”

Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld. Picture: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images/AFP

“We can’t fix the world, but we just want to make a face happy, even just for a few minutes.”

Although Seinfeld created the film to put some smiles on faces, he — clearly — isn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers.

The iconic funnyman told Page Six last month that he doesn’t worry about offending people with his occasional politically charged jokes and commentary.

“Political correctness is something of a worry for people that can’t think,” he told us.

“The stupid mistakes I see people making sometimes — offensive, unnecessary insensitivities — it’s like, you know, pick up a paper! Find out what’s going on and just navigate around it.”

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission.