I know the character of Elaine was based on somebody who was relatively well known, but I can't remember her name. Any help?

According to TBS and their little trivia snips, character "Elaine" was named after Tery Benes, a woman Larry David once dated...
but...
I think who your thinking, and who I've always heard she was based on is comic Carol Leifer (http://www.delafont.com/comedians/Carol-Leifer.htm). <= some pics & info

Wow, I didn't know that.

Wasn't she a secretary in an episode?

It looks like Carol was credited as a writer in these eps (she is funny):

70 The Lip Reader
85 The Hamptons
95 The Secretary
102 The Beard
110 The Understudy
121 The Rye

...and she had parts in:

103 The Kiss Hello: played the receptionist.
134 The Invitations: uncredited, played a bank employee.


& also a snipet from TheNewsGuy's(Mike) site:
>>>Other aspects are composite of both lives. For example, Elaine's character is half based on Jerry's ex-girlfriend Carol Leifer. Carol joined the production staff in the 5th season. An ex-girlfriend of Larry David's, named Monica Yates, whose father was a noted writer in the other half of the Elaine equation. Larry David once wore a suede jacket that got wet while meeting her father.<<<

It's funny to think alot of the episodes were based on actual occurences.

Jerry dated her? He wouldnt give her the time of day now. Must have been back in his Benson days. I tried grabbing her pic for Who Am I? but it said it was copyrighted and it wouldnt let me download it. :lol:

She looks older than him.