Jerry Stiller Overview
Ben Stiller’s dad, known comedian and actor, Jerry Stiller or Gerald Isaac Stiller in real life, has one of those rare couple relationships in all of Hollywood. He was a loving, one-woman man to his wife Anne Meara, also an actor, with whom he was married for more than 60 years. The couple both appeared on Broadway and on several TV comedy programs and serious dramatic character portrayals. One of their most notable was appearing more than 30 times in The Ed Sullivan Show from 1993 through 1998.
Anne and Jerry as a dramatic duo were totally a hit during the 1960s. They played the roles of Hershey Horowitz and Mary Elizabeth Doyle, profiting from the supposed cultural and racial differences of their characters. Their appearances were not only confined to Television series or films; they also conquered variety shows and talk shows on TV, as well as commercials on Radio and TV. Amalgamated Bank and Blue Nun Wine were only a few of those commercials. They had their comedy reunion in several episodes of The King of Queens which was from 1998 to 2007. In the 1990s, Jerry Stiller never lost his shine and showed his luster again through Seinfeld and The King of Queens.
Funny skit with Jerry Stiller and his son, Ben Stiller
When was Stiller born and how did he die?
Jerry Stiller was born on June 8, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York City, USA, and died in Upper West Side in Manhattan, New York on May 11, 2020, at the age of 92. Several publications indicated his death as from natural causes.
Where was Jerry Stiller educated?
Stiller graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Speech and Drama from Syracuse University.
Which sitcom did Jerry Stiller play in?
Stiller had mesmerized audiences with his role as Frank Constanza on the show Seinfeld and was nominated for an Emmy award in 1997 for this. He also appeared in The King of Queens. In the movie, Zoolander, another big hit, was directed by his own son, Ben Stiller, and for which Jerry received critical acclaim.
Jerry Stiller pictured with wife, Anne Meara
What were some of Jerry Stiller’s drama roles?
As a classically trained thespian, In 2011 The Good Wife, Law & Order (for two episodes), The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (the 1970s), and Homicide: Life on the Street, Jerry Stiller showed his bankability as a serious dramatic actor and not only in what he’s known best which is in comedy acting.
What awards did Jerry Stiller get?
Jerry Stiller had been nominated for Grammy awards with his memo Married to Laughter: A Love Story Featuring Anne Meara for Best Spoken Word album.
The awards he shared with his wife Meara include the Walk of Fame award for television in 2007 (with a star in Hollywood Boulevard), Made in New York Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. He received the 1998 American Comedy Award as the Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series for Seinfeld and in 2014 the Golden Apple Award during the Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition.