WATCH: Bania From 'Seinfeld' Returns To LI For Stand-Up Shows

LEVITTOWN, NY — The man known for playing "Bania" on "Seinfeld" is coming to Long Island.

Steven Hytner, who grew up in Valley Stream, will perform at Governor's Comedy Club on May 16 and 17.

Not only is it a homecoming for Hytner, it's also a return to stand-up.

"It happened in weird stages," Hytner told Patch. "I moved to New York to pursue acting. I was studying with amazing teaching, but I couldn't get the monetizing part going."

This was early-mid 1980s during the comedy club explosion. Despite finding his footing in clubs, Hytner decided to go to Hollywood and opt for serious acting roles.

"All of a sudden my career happened," he said. "I didn't stop working as an actor for like 25 years."

His stand-up career was sidetracked with the steady work. Of course, one of those gigs became his signature role —Kenny Bania, the comic friend of Jerry Seinfeld on his eponymous show.

"We both knew each other existed, but he was already a big star," Hytner said.

As Bania, Hytner appeared in only a handful of episodes, but they are remembered fondly, thanks in part to several catchphrases, including: "That's gold, Jerry, gold!," "It's the best, Jerry! The best!" and "Soup's not a meal."

Hytner said: "The word on the street was, when you did 'Seinfeld,' you had to do every comma, every period. But that was a four-camera show, so you would rehearse all week, and during rehearsal you could try anything you want. They were very open to anything."

Hytner promises to talk about "Seinfeld" in the act at Governor's, but it's not his focus.

"I don't want people to feel like I'm holding onto anything," he said. "I do get around to my "Seinfeld" experience, but I like to open it up with a half-hour of kicking butt before I even get around to it."

Watch the full "Patch Weekly Spotlight" interview with Hytner below.