Sadly, Jerry Stiller passed away over the weekend. He and his wife, Anne Meara, were one of the funniest comedy teams. Jerry was also famous for roles on Seinfield and King of Queens. It was on Seinfeld that he created the new holiday Festivus. He also appeared in several movies along side his son actor Ben Stiller. Stiller was known for playing eccentric grumpy characters such as Arthur Spooner on King of Queens and George’s father on Seinfeld. He appeared with his wife on King of Queens and Archie Bunker’s Place. In fact after Seinfeld he considered retiring but Kevin James begged him to join the cast of King of Queens. The role of Carrie’s father was tailored made for the comedy genius. In the season finale he married his girlfriend who was played by Anne Meara. Anne had played the mother of one of the other characters. On Archie Bunker’s Place he played the estranged husband of Anne Meara’s character. Stiller and Meara also appeared on the game show Tattletails.
Jerry was born Gerald Issac Stiller on June 8, 1927. He was the eldest of four children born to William and Bella Stiller of Brooklyn. His mother had immigrated from Poland. Jerry was Jewish. He served in the army during World War II and upon returning he attended Syracuse University. Jerry earned a bachelors degree in Speech and Drama in 1950. In 1953 he appeared along side Jack Klugman and Gene Saks in Coriolanus at the Phoenix Theater. The producer John Houseman described them as the three best Shakespearean clowns he had ever seen.
In 1953 he met the woman who would become his comedy partner and his wife, the talented Anne Meara. They wed in 1954 and remained married until her death in 2015. Anne said, that prior to meeting Jerry, that she had never thought of doing comedy. She said that Jerry felt she would make a great comedy partner and the team of Stiller and Meara was born. Their long marriage was blessed with two children Ben and Amy. They also have two grandchildren from their son Ben.
On May 11, 2020, their son Ben announced that his father had passed at age 92 from natural causes. The tributes poured in from Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Kevin James, and Leah Remini. They all praised his talents and said it was an honor to have worked with him. He has been reunited with his beloved wife Anne Meara. Rest in peace and thank you for the years of laughter.
Photos courtesy of Anne and Jerry (Facebook page), The Surburbans (Facebook), Stiller and Meara Fan Page, Classic Hollywood/LA Times
