You know that raspy, unmistakable voice that used to scream "HOWARD!" from the back rooms of The Big Bang Theory? That was Carol Ann Susi. But long before she became the most famous unseen mother in television history, she was busy putting George Costanza through an absolute ringer on the streets of New York.
Most people don’t even realize it's the same person.
Honestly, the Carol Ann Susi in Seinfeld appearance is one of those "wait, that was her?!" moments that makes rewatching the 90s era so much fun. She played Carrie, the daughter of George’s unemployment officer, and her performance is basically a masterclass in being unimpressed by George Costanza.
The Unemployment Gamble
Let’s set the scene. George is in deep. He’s trying to keep his unemployment benefits flowing without, you know, actually finding a job. He makes up a fake company—the legendary Vandelay Industries—and tells his caseworker, Mrs. Sokol, that he’s this close to a job as a latex salesman.
Mrs. Sokol isn't buying it. She’s played by Rae Allen, and she has the kind of stare that makes you want to confess to crimes you didn't even commit.
George, sensing his financial lifeline is about to be cut, does the most George thing possible: he sees a photo of Mrs. Sokol’s daughter on her desk and decides to date his way into a benefits extension. This is where Carol Ann Susi enters the frame.
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Why Carol Ann Susi in Seinfeld Was So Perfect
Susi shows up in the iconic hour-long episode "The Boyfriend" (Season 3, Episodes 17 and 18). While everyone remembers that episode for Keith Hernandez and the "Magic Loogie" theory, the subplot with Carrie is pure gold.
Carrie is the polar opposite of the high-maintenance women Jerry usually dates. She’s grounded, a bit cynical, and has zero patience for George’s neurotic tap-dancing.
When they go on their date, George tries to be "romantic" in the cheapest way possible. They end up at McDonald's. Susi’s delivery of the line, "I haven't had a Big Mac in a long time," is delivered with this weird, endearing sincerity that makes the scene feel surprisingly real.
The Breakup (and the Hardware Store)
The chemistry—or lack thereof—is hilarious. George is desperate to make the date go well just so he can keep his checks coming, but he also desperately wants to get away from her because, well, he’s George.
The climax of their short-lived "romance" happens outside her apartment. Carrie invites him up. George, terrified of actually having to spend more time with her, makes up a lie so bad it’s impressive. He tells her he has to get up early for an interview at a hardware store.
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"I'm not saying I want to do it for the rest of my life, but hardware fascinates me," he says.
Susi’s reaction is what makes it work. She doesn't scream. She doesn't cry. She just looks at him with this mixture of pity and annoyance. She eventually dumps him because he’s unemployed, which is the ultimate irony. She basically tells him she can’t spend her life with someone just because he can "get her a deal on a box of nails."
A Voice That Carried Over
If you listen closely to Carol Ann Susi in Seinfeld, you can hear the early DNA of Mrs. Wolowitz. That Brooklyn-born grit. The way she projects.
Susi was a New York actress through and through. Born in Brooklyn, she studied at the HB Studio before heading to LA. She was "discovered" by Universal, but she never lost that edge.
In Seinfeld, she’s physically there—the big hair, the 90s sweater, the expressive face. It’s a sharp contrast to The Big Bang Theory, where she became a household name without the audience ever seeing her face (outside of a tiny glimpse during a wedding scene and a photo on a fridge later on).
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Why This Role Still Matters
A lot of guest stars on Seinfeld were just there to be the "girlfriend of the week." They were often played by models or actors who were just starting out and played it straight.
Susi didn't do that. She played Carrie as a real person who was way too good for the nonsense George was pulling. She was one of the few characters who looked at George’s schemes and just walked away.
She appeared in:
- "The Boyfriend" (Part 1 & 2)
- Original Air Date: February 12, 1992
It’s a small slice of TV history, but it’s a vital one. It showed her range before she became the "voice."
The Legacy of the "Big Mac" Girl
Carol Ann Susi passed away in 2014, and the TV world felt it. From her time on Night Court and Cheers to her legendary run as Debbie Wolowitz, she was a character actress who could steal a scene with a single syllable.
If you want to truly appreciate her talent, go back and watch "The Boyfriend." Watch the way she handles George’s frantic energy. She doesn't try to out-act him. She just stands there, eats her Big Mac, and waits for him to inevitably trip over his own lies.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Rewatch "The Boyfriend": It’s currently on Netflix. Look for the scene outside the apartment; it’s the best evidence of her comedic timing.
- Compare the Voices: Watch an episode of The Big Bang Theory right after. It’s wild to see how she used the same New York rasp to create two completely different, yet equally iconic, characters.
- Check the Credits: Susi is in a ton of 90s classics like Married... with Children and The King of Queens. She was the glue of the multi-cam sitcom era.