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Jerry Stiller

May 17, 2023

Gerald Isaac Stiller (June 8, 1927 – May 11, 2020) was an American comedian and actor. He spent many years as part of the comedy duo Stiller and Meara with his wife, Anne Meara, to whom he was married for over 60 years until her death in 2015. Stiller saw a late-career resurgence starting in 1993, playing George Costanza's father Frank on the sitcom Seinfeld, a part which earned him an Emmy nomination. The year Seinfeld went off the air, Stiller began his role as the eccentric Arthur Spooner on the CBS comedy series The King of Queens, another role that garnered widespread acclaim.[1]

Jerry Stiller
Stiller in 1965
Born
Gerald Isaac Stiller

(1927-06-08)June 8, 1927
New York City, U.S.
DiedMay 11, 2020(2020-05-11) (aged 92)
New York City, U.S.
Alma materSyracuse University (BA)
Occupations
  • Comedian
  • actor
Years active1953–2016
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1954; died 2015)​
Children2, including Ben

Stiller appeared together with his son Ben Stiller in films such as Zoolander, Heavyweights, Hot Pursuit, The Heartbreak Kid, and Zoolander 2. He also performed voice-over work for films and television, including The Lion King 1½ and Planes: Fire and Rescue. In his later career, Stiller became known for portraying grumpy and eccentric characters who were nevertheless beloved.[2][3]

Early life

The eldest of four children,[4] Stiller was born on June 8, 1927, at Unity Hospital in Brooklyn, New York City, to Bella (née Citron; 1902–1954) and William Stiller (1896–1999), a taxi and bus driver.[5] His family was Jewish. His paternal grandparents emigrated from Galicia (southeast Poland and western Ukraine), and his mother was born in Frampol, Poland.[6] He lived in the Williamsburg and East New York neighborhoods before his family moved to the Lower East Side,[7] where he attended Seward Park High School[8] and played Adolf Hitler in a school production.[9]

Upon his return from service in the U.S. Army during World War II,[10][11] Stiller attended Syracuse University, earning a bachelor's degree in Speech and Drama in 1950.[12][13] He also studied drama at HB Studio in Greenwich Village.[14] In the 1953 Phoenix Theater production of Coriolanus (produced by John Houseman), Stiller, along with Gene Saks and Jack Klugman, formed (as told by Houseman in the 1980 memoir Front and Center) "the best trio of Shakespearian clowns that I have ever seen on any stage".[15]

Also in 1953, Stiller met actress-comedian Anne Meara, and they married in 1954. Until Stiller suggested it, Meara had never thought of doing comedy. "Jerry started us being a comedy team," she said. "He always thought I would be a great comedy partner."[16] They joined the Chicago improvisational company The Compass Players (which later became The Second City) and, after leaving, began performing together. In 1961 they were performing in nightclubs in New York City and by the following year were considered a "national phenomenon", said the New York Times.[16]

Stiller and Meara

 
Stiller and Meara publicity photo with an autograph, 1965

The comedy team Stiller and Meara, composed of Stiller and his wife, Anne Meara, was successful throughout the 1960s, with numerous appearances on television variety programs, primarily on The Ed Sullivan Show.[17] In 1970, they broke up the live act before it broke up their marriage. They subsequently forged a career in radio commercials, notably the campaign for Blue Nun wine. They also starred in their own syndicated five-minute sketch comedy show on radio, Take Five with Stiller and Meara, from 1977 to 1978.[18]

From 1979 to 1982, Stiller and Meara hosted HBO Sneak Previews, a half-hour show produced monthly on which they described the movies and programs to be featured in the coming month.[5] They also did some comedy sketches between show discussions. The duo had their own 1986 TV sitcom, The Stiller and Meara Show, in which Stiller played the deputy mayor of New York City and Meara portrayed his wife, a TV commercial actress.

Resurgence

Seinfeld

Late in his career, Stiller earned the part of the short-tempered Frank Costanza, father of George Costanza, on the sitcom Seinfeld, a role which Stiller played from 1993 until 1998.[19] Stiller's character as initially envisioned was a "meek" and "Thurberesque" character that required him to wear a bald cap. After a couple of days of rehearsal Stiller realized the character wasn't working and asked Seinfeld co-creator Larry David if he could perform the character in a different way, which was more in line with his final characterization on the show.[20][21] For his portrayal of Frank, Stiller gained widespread critical and popular acclaim, including being nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 1997 and winning an American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series in 1998.[19][22]

The King of Queens

After Seinfeld ended, Stiller had planned on retiring. However, Kevin James asked him to join the cast of The King of Queens. James, who played the leading role of Doug Heffernan, had told Stiller that he needed him to have a successful show. Stiller agreed and played the role of Arthur Spooner, the father of Carrie Heffernan, from 1998 until 2007. Stiller said that this role tested his acting ability more than any other had, and that, before being a part of The King of Queens, he only saw himself as a "decent actor".[23]

Other appearances

 
Stiller in 2006

Stiller played himself in filmed skits opening and closing Canadian rock band Rush's 30th Anniversary Tour concerts in 2004. These appearances are seen on the band's DVD R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour, released in 2005. Stiller later appeared in cameos for in-concert films for the band's 2007–08 Snakes & Arrows Tour. Stiller appeared on Dick Clark's $20,000 Pyramid show in the 1970s, and footage of the appearance was edited into an episode of The King of Queens to assist the storyline about his character being a contestant on the show, and, after losing, being bitter about the experience, as he never received his parting gift, a lifetime supply of Rice-a-Roni.[24] He also made several appearances on the game show Tattletales with his wife, Anne Meara.

In the late 1990s, Stiller appeared in a series of Nike television commercials as the ghost of deceased Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi. He also appeared in various motion pictures, most notably Zoolander (2001) and Secret of the Andes (1999). On February 9, 2007, Stiller and Meara were honored with a joint star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On October 28, 2010, the couple appeared on an episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Stiller voiced the announcer on the children's educational show Crashbox. Starting in October 2010, Stiller and Meara began starring in Stiller & Meara, a Yahoo web series from Red Hour Digital in which they discussed current topics. Each episode was about two minutes long.[25][26] Stiller also worked as a spokesman for Xfinity.

Author

 
Stiller at a book reading for Festivus in New York City in 2005

Stiller wrote the foreword to the 2005 book Festivus: The Holiday for the Rest of Us (ISBN 0-446-69674-9) by Allen Salkin. The book discussed Festivus, the fictional holiday promulgated by Stiller's Seinfeld character Frank Costanza.[27]

Stiller also authored a memoir titled Married to Laughter: A Love Story Featuring Anne Meara, which was published by Simon & Schuster (ISBN 0-684-86903-9).[28]

Personal life

 
Stiller's son Ben

Stiller was married to Anne Meara for over 60 years, from 1954 until her death on May 23, 2015.[29] The two met in an agent's office. Meara was upset about an interaction with the casting agent, so Stiller took her out for coffee—all he could afford—and they remained together ever since. Meara was Irish Catholic and converted to Judaism before the couple's two children were born.[9] They had two children: actress Amy Stiller (born 1961) and actor-comedian Ben Stiller (born 1965).[30] He had two grandchildren through Ben.

Death

On May 11, 2020, Stiller died from natural causes at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan at the age of 92.[31][32] Many actors Stiller worked with, including Seinfeld castmates Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards[33] and King of Queens castmates Kevin James and Leah Remini, paid tributes to him on social media.[34]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes Ref(s)
1970 Lovers and Other Strangers Jim Uncredited [35]
1974 The Taking of Pelham One Two Three Lt. Rico Patrone [36]
Airport 1975 Sam [36]
1976 The Ritz Carmine Vespucci [36]
1977 Nasty Habits P.R. Priest [36]
1980 Those Lips, Those Eyes Mr. Shoemaker [36]
1986 Seize the Day Dr. Tamkin [36]
1987 Hot Pursuit Victor Honeywell [36]
Nadine Raymond Escobar [36]
1988 Hairspray Wilbur Turnblad [36]
1989 That's Adequate Sid Lane [36]
1990 Little Vegas Sam [36]
1992 Highway to Hell The Desk Cop [36]
Freefall Emily's Father Short
1993 The Pickle Phil Hirsch [36]
1995 Heavyweights Harvey Bushkin [36]
1997 Die Story von Monty Spinnerratz Prof. Plumpingham [37]
Camp Stories Schlomo [36]
Stag Ted [36]
The Deli Petey Cheesecake [36]
1999 A Fish in the Bathtub Sam Kaplan [36]
Secret of the Andes Dr. Golfisch [36]
The Suburbans Speedo Silverburg [36]
2000 The Independent Monty Fineman [36]
My 5 Wives Don Giovani [36]
Chump Change The Colonel [36]
2001 Zoolander Maury Ballstein [36]
On the Line Nathan [36]
2002 Serving Sara Milton the Cop [36]
2004 Teacher's Pet Pretty Boy Voice [38]
The Lion King 1½ Uncle Max Voice; Direct-to-DVD [36]
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Man in Bar Uncredited [39]
2005 R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour Himself [40]
2007 Hairspray Mr. Pinky [36]
The Heartbreak Kid Doc [36]
2008 Snakes & Arrows Live Heidi [41]
2011 Swinging with the Finkels Mr. Winters [36]
2012 Foodfight! General X Voice [36]
Excuse Me for Living Morty [36]
2014 Planes: Fire & Rescue Harvey Voice [37]
2016 Zoolander 2 Maury Ballstein Final film role [42]

Television

Year Show Role Notes Ref(s)
1956–1957 Studio One in Hollywood Sergeant Joe Capriotti / Hugh 2 episodes [14]
1957 The Big Story Tyler Episode: "The Hoax"
1959 Armstrong Circle Theatre Pfc. Elwood Johnson Episode: "Thunder Over Berlin"
1962 The Defenders Sergeant Wysenski Episode: "The Empty Chute"
General Electric Theater Harold Episode: "Acres and Pains"
1964 Brenner Chris Zelco Episode: "The Plain Truth"
1964–1965 Linus the Lionhearted 3 episodes [43]
1966–1978 The Mike Douglas Show Himself 40 episodes
1967–1973 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 14 episodes
1969 That's Life Episode: "Our First Fight"
1971–1972 The Courtship of Eddie's Father Mr. Landon / Paul Sterling 2 episodes [37]
1971–1973 Love, American Style Leonard Ferguson / Harry 2 episodes [37]
1972 The Carol Burnett Show Himself Episode: "#6.8"
1972–1973 The Paul Lynde Show Barney Dickerson 4 episodes [37]
1975–1976 Joe and Sons Gus Duzik 14 episodes [37]
1976 Phyllis Burt Hillman Episode: "Phyllis and the Jumper" [14]
Rhoda Lloyd Zimmer Episode: "A Touch of Classy" [14]
1979 Time Express Edward Chernoff Episode: "Garbage Man/Doctor's Wife"
1979–1983 The Love Boat Harlan Weatherly / Tony Vitelli / Bud Hanrahan 3 episodes [37]
1980–1982 Archie Bunker's Place Carmine 2 episodes [37]
1981 Madame X Burt Orland Television film
Hart to Hart Myron Finkle Episode: "Murder Takes a Bow" [14]
Private Benjamin Sgt. Muldoon Episode: "So Long, Sergeant Ross"
1982 Simon & Simon Harold Traxler Episode: "The Uncivil Servant" [37]
Alice Gordy Episode: "Do You Take This Waitress" [37]
1983 Reading Rainbow Dinosaur Comic Episode: "Digging Up Dinosaurs" [44]
Amanda's Sal Episode: "You Were Meant for Me"
The Other Woman Mel Binns Television film
1984 Trapper John, M.D. Artie Merrow Episode: "Where There's a Will" [36]
1985 The Equalizer Brahms Episode: "Pilot"
Tales from the Darkside Luther Mandrake Episode: "The Devil's Advocate"
1986 Screen Two Marty de Reske Episode: "The McGuffin" [37]
1987 Saturday Night Live Stu Episode: "Charlton Heston/Wynton Marsalis"
1988–1989 Tattingers Sid Wilbur 14 episodes [14]
1989 Murder, She Wrote SFPD Lt. Birnbaum Episode: "When The Fat Lady Sings" [36]
1990 Monsters Victor Episode: "One Wolf's Family" [37]
Sweet 15 Waterman Television film [45]
1991 American Playhouse Sam / Seymour Shapir 2 episodes [36]
Women & Men 2 Irving Television film
1992–1996 Law & Order Michael Tobis / Sam Pokras 2 episodes [36]
1993–1998 Seinfeld Frank Costanza 26 episodes [36]
1993 L.A. Law Nat Pincus Episode: "Rhyme and Punishment" [14]
1994 In the Heat of the Night Rabbi Feldman Episode: "The Rabbi" [37]
1995 Homicide: Life on the Street McGonnigal Episode: "In Search of Crimes Past" [36]
1996 Deadly Games Phil Cullen Episode: "Dr. Kramer"
1997 Subway Stories Old Man Television film [46]
1998 Touched by an Angel Maury Salt Episode: "Cry and You Cry Alone" [36]
The Larry Sanders Show Himself Episode: "I Buried Sid" [36]
Hercules Eagle Voice; Episode: "Hercules and the Promethus Affair"
1998–2007 The King of Queens Arthur Spooner 195 episodes [36]
2000–2002 Teacher's Pet Pretty Boy Voice; 11 episodes [36]
2003 Odd Job Jack Jim McDonald Episode: "A Candidacy of Dunces" [37]
Sex and the City Mr. Brady Episode: "One" [47]
2009 Wonder Pets! Bernie Voice; Episode: Save the Old White Mouse [37]
Mercy Joe Thalberg Episode: "The Last Thing I Said Was" [36]
2010 Ice Dreams Skipper Television film [37]
2010–2011 Fish Hooks Principal Stickler Voice; 21 episodes [48]
2011 The Good Wife Judge Felix Afterman Episode: "Silver Bullet" [36]
2014 How Murray Saved Christmas Murray Weiner Voice; Television film [37]
2016 Zoolander: Super Model Maury Ballstein Voice; Television film (final film role)

Stage

Year Title Theatre Role Ref(s)
1954 The Golden Apple Alvin Theatre Mayor Juniper [49]
1955 The Carefree Tree Phoenix Theatre, Broadway The Propertyman [49]
1956 Diary of a Scoundrel Styopka [49]
The Good Woman of Setzuan Policeman [49]
1957 Measure for Measure Barnadine [49]
The Taming of the Shrew Biondello [49]
1958 The Power and the Glory Mestizo [49]
1975 The Ritz Longacre Theatre, Broadway Carmen Vespucci [49]
1977 The Unexpected Guest Little Theatre, Broadway Harry Mullin [49]
1980 Passione Morosco Theatre, Broadway Berto [49]
1984 Hurlyburly Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Broadway Artie [49]
1993 Three Men on a Horse Lyceum Theatre, Broadway Charlie [49]
1994 What's Wrong with This Picture? Brooks Atkinson Theatre, Broadway Sid [49]
1997 The Three Sisters Criterion Center Stage Right, Broadway Chebutykin [49]

Accolades

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominees Result
1997 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Seinfeld Nominated
2001 Grammy Awards Best Spoken Word Album Married to Laughter: A Love Story Nominated
2007 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture Hairspray Nominated

Other

References

  1. ^ Dennis Bjorklund (September 2017). Seinfeld Reference: The Complete Encyclopedia with Biographies, Character Profiles & Episode Summaries. Praetorian Publishing. pp. 36–. ISBN 978-0-9679852-4-4. Best remembered for his five-year stint on "Seinfeld" in a recurring regular role, Jerry Stiller ... is a veteran actor with a long history of stage performances. His notoriety first came when he revamped the role of George's father, but he was best known for...
  2. ^ "Comedian Jerry Stiller, Who Played Hot-Headed Dad On 'Seinfeld,' Dies At 92". NPR.org. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  3. ^ Berman, Marc. "Comedian Jerry Stiller Dies at 92". Forbes. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  4. ^ "Jerry Stiller profile at". Accuracyproject.org. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Jerry Stiller profile, filmreference.com; accessed August 4, 2014.
  6. ^ Jerry Stiller (August 8, 2000). Married to Laughter: A Love Story Featuring Anne Meara. Simon & Schuster. pp. 19–. ISBN 978-0-7432-1146-8.
  7. ^
  8. ^ . Sewardparkhs.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Actor Jerry Stiller's Favorite Role? Proud Jewish Dad". Kveller. May 1, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  10. ^ "Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara Brought Us So Much More than Laughs". Country Living. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  11. ^ "Comedian Jerry Stiller schleps to the Statler to give his shtick on Ithaca". Cornell Chronicle. Retrieved March 21, 2010.
  12. ^ Schmuckler, Carol (April 1, 1995). "The Bond of a Lifetime". Syracuse University Magazine. Vol. 11, no. 3. p. 40. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  13. ^ Alessandrini, Sarah (May 12, 2020). "Jerry Stiller received awards for comedic talent during time as SU student". The Daily Orange. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g Dagan, Carmel (May 11, 2020). "Jerry Stiller, 'Seinfeld' and 'Hairspray' Actor and Comedian, Dies at 92". Variety. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  15. ^ Houseman, John (1979). Front & Center. New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 439. ISBN 0-671-24328-4.
  16. ^ a b "Anne Meara, Comedian and Actress, Dies at 85". The New York Times. May 24, 2015. from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  17. ^ Jeffrey Ross (September 15, 2009). I Only Roast the Ones I Love: Busting Balls Without Burning Bridges. Gallery Books. pp. 163–. ISBN 978-1-4391-6420-4.
  18. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1985). Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials, Volume 2. VNR AG. p. 404. ISBN 0918432618. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  19. ^ a b . Time. Archived from the original on May 12, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  20. ^ Boskovitch, Ben (May 11, 2020). "Jerry Stiller Once Told Us How the Real Frank Costanza Was Born in the Middle of a Seinfeld Scene". Esquire. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  21. ^ Fussman, Cal (May 11, 2020). "Jerry Stiller: What I've Learned". Esquire. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  22. ^ "'Seinfeld' veteran Jerry Stiller has died". Los Angeles Times. May 11, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  23. ^ "King of Queens cast prepares to say farewell". Today. Associated Press. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  24. ^ (Press release). CBS Broadcasting. Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  25. ^ . Stillerandmeara.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  26. ^ "STILLER AND MEARA RECEIVE STAR ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME". UPI.
  27. ^ Wolf, Buch (February 23, 2006). "Introducing ... Festivus Appreciation Day". ABC News. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  28. ^ Delatiner, Barbara (September 3, 2000). "The Guide". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  29. ^ Dagan, Carmel (May 24, 2015). "Actress and Comedian Anne Meara, Mother of Ben Stiller, Dies at 85". Variety. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  30. ^ Kilgannon, Corey (October 19, 2018). "Ladies and Gentlemen, Give It Up for, er ... Ben Stiller's Sister!". The New York Times. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  31. ^ Stiller, Ben (May 11, 2020). "I'm sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes. He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad". @RedHourBen. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  32. ^ Keepnews, Peter (May 11, 2020). "Jerry Stiller, Comedian With Enduring Appeal, Is Dead at 92". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  33. ^ "Michael Richards joins Instagram to pay tribute to Jerry Stiller". News. May 15, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  34. ^ "'Seinfeld', 'The King Of Queens' Casts Honor Jerry Stiller: "I Adored This Man", Says Jason Alexander". Deadline Hollywood. May 11, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  35. ^ Dern, Bruce (November 18, 2014). Bruce Dern: A Memoir. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 978-0-8131-4713-0.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar "Jerry Stiller". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Jerry Stiller | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  38. ^ Teacher's Pet, retrieved May 11, 2020
  39. ^ Hamblin, Cory (2009). Serket's Movies: Commentary and Trivia on 444 Movies. Dorrance Publishing. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-4349-9605-3.
  40. ^ "R30: 30th Anniversary Tour | Rush.com". Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  41. ^ Mobley, Max (May 1, 2014). Rush FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Rock's Greatest Power Trio. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-61713-605-4.
  42. ^ Obeidallah, Dean (May 11, 2020). "Jerry Stiller made us love him by screaming at us". CNN. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  43. ^ Perlmutter, David (May 4, 2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 360. ISBN 978-1-5381-0374-6.
  44. ^ "Kid Vid". 1986. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  45. ^ Aitken, Ian (October 18, 2013). Encyclopedia of the Documentary Film 3-Volume Set. Routledge. p. 450. ISBN 978-1-135-20620-8.
  46. ^ "'Subway Stories' Doesn't Quite Get There". Los Angeles Times. August 16, 1997. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  47. ^ "Jerry Stiller, actor and comedian father of Ben Stiller, dies at 92". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  48. ^ Clement, Olivia (May 11, 2020). "Actor and Comedian Jerry Stiller Dies at Age 92". Playbill. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  49. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Jerry Stiller Broadway Credits". Playbill. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  50. ^ "Seinfeld star Jerry Stiller dies at 92". BBC News. May 11, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jerry Stiller.
 
Wikiquote has quotations related to Jerry Stiller.

May 17, 2023
jerry, stiller, gerald, isaac, stiller, june, 1927, 2020, american, comedian, actor, spent, many, years, part, comedy, stiller, meara, with, wife, anne, meara, whom, married, over, years, until, death, 2015, stiller, late, career, resurgence, starting, 1993, p. Gerald Isaac Stiller June 8 1927 May 11 2020 was an American comedian and actor He spent many years as part of the comedy duo Stiller and Meara with his wife Anne Meara to whom he was married for over 60 years until her death in 2015 Stiller saw a late career resurgence starting in 1993 playing George Costanza s father Frank on the sitcom Seinfeld a part which earned him an Emmy nomination The year Seinfeld went off the air Stiller began his role as the eccentric Arthur Spooner on the CBS comedy series The King of Queens another role that garnered widespread acclaim 1 Jerry StillerStiller in 1965BornGerald Isaac Stiller 1927 06 08 June 8 1927New York City U S DiedMay 11 2020 2020 05 11 aged 92 New York City U S Alma materSyracuse University BA OccupationsComedianactorYears active1953 2016SpouseAnne Meara m 1954 died 2015 wbr Children2 including BenStiller appeared together with his son Ben Stiller in films such as Zoolander Heavyweights Hot Pursuit The Heartbreak Kid and Zoolander 2 He also performed voice over work for films and television including The Lion King 1 and Planes Fire and Rescue In his later career Stiller became known for portraying grumpy and eccentric characters who were nevertheless beloved 2 3 Contents 1 Early life 2 Stiller and Meara 3 Resurgence 3 1 Seinfeld 3 2 The King of Queens 3 3 Other appearances 4 Author 5 Personal life 6 Death 7 Filmography 7 1 Film 7 2 Television 7 3 Stage 8 Accolades 8 1 Awards and nominations 8 2 Other 9 References 10 External linksEarly life EditThe eldest of four children 4 Stiller was born on June 8 1927 at Unity Hospital in Brooklyn New York City to Bella nee Citron 1902 1954 and William Stiller 1896 1999 a taxi and bus driver 5 His family was Jewish His paternal grandparents emigrated from Galicia southeast Poland and western Ukraine and his mother was born in Frampol Poland 6 He lived in the Williamsburg and East New York neighborhoods before his family moved to the Lower East Side 7 where he attended Seward Park High School 8 and played Adolf Hitler in a school production 9 Upon his return from service in the U S Army during World War II 10 11 Stiller attended Syracuse University earning a bachelor s degree in Speech and Drama in 1950 12 13 He also studied drama at HB Studio in Greenwich Village 14 In the 1953 Phoenix Theater production of Coriolanus produced by John Houseman Stiller along with Gene Saks and Jack Klugman formed as told by Houseman in the 1980 memoir Front and Center the best trio of Shakespearian clowns that I have ever seen on any stage 15 Also in 1953 Stiller met actress comedian Anne Meara and they married in 1954 Until Stiller suggested it Meara had never thought of doing comedy Jerry started us being a comedy team she said He always thought I would be a great comedy partner 16 They joined the Chicago improvisational company The Compass Players which later became The Second City and after leaving began performing together In 1961 they were performing in nightclubs in New York City and by the following year were considered a national phenomenon said the New York Times 16 Stiller and Meara Edit Stiller and Meara publicity photo with an autograph 1965 The comedy team Stiller and Meara composed of Stiller and his wife Anne Meara was successful throughout the 1960s with numerous appearances on television variety programs primarily on The Ed Sullivan Show 17 In 1970 they broke up the live act before it broke up their marriage They subsequently forged a career in radio commercials notably the campaign for Blue Nun wine They also starred in their own syndicated five minute sketch comedy show on radio Take Five with Stiller and Meara from 1977 to 1978 18 From 1979 to 1982 Stiller and Meara hosted HBO Sneak Previews a half hour show produced monthly on which they described the movies and programs to be featured in the coming month 5 They also did some comedy sketches between show discussions The duo had their own 1986 TV sitcom The Stiller and Meara Show in which Stiller played the deputy mayor of New York City and Meara portrayed his wife a TV commercial actress Resurgence EditSeinfeld Edit Late in his career Stiller earned the part of the short tempered Frank Costanza father of George Costanza on the sitcom Seinfeld a role which Stiller played from 1993 until 1998 19 Stiller s character as initially envisioned was a meek and Thurberesque character that required him to wear a bald cap After a couple of days of rehearsal Stiller realized the character wasn t working and asked Seinfeld co creator Larry David if he could perform the character in a different way which was more in line with his final characterization on the show 20 21 For his portrayal of Frank Stiller gained widespread critical and popular acclaim including being nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 1997 and winning an American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series in 1998 19 22 The King of Queens Edit After Seinfeld ended Stiller had planned on retiring However Kevin James asked him to join the cast of The King of Queens James who played the leading role of Doug Heffernan had told Stiller that he needed him to have a successful show Stiller agreed and played the role of Arthur Spooner the father of Carrie Heffernan from 1998 until 2007 Stiller said that this role tested his acting ability more than any other had and that before being a part of The King of Queens he only saw himself as a decent actor 23 Other appearances Edit Stiller in 2006 Stiller played himself in filmed skits opening and closing Canadian rock band Rush s 30th Anniversary Tour concerts in 2004 These appearances are seen on the band s DVD R30 30th Anniversary World Tour released in 2005 Stiller later appeared in cameos for in concert films for the band s 2007 08 Snakes amp Arrows Tour Stiller appeared on Dick Clark s 20 000 Pyramid show in the 1970s and footage of the appearance was edited into an episode of The King of Queens to assist the storyline about his character being a contestant on the show and after losing being bitter about the experience as he never received his parting gift a lifetime supply of Rice a Roni 24 He also made several appearances on the game show Tattletales with his wife Anne Meara In the late 1990s Stiller appeared in a series of Nike television commercials as the ghost of deceased Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi He also appeared in various motion pictures most notably Zoolander 2001 and Secret of the Andes 1999 On February 9 2007 Stiller and Meara were honored with a joint star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame On October 28 2010 the couple appeared on an episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Stiller voiced the announcer on the children s educational show Crashbox Starting in October 2010 Stiller and Meara began starring in Stiller amp Meara a Yahoo web series from Red Hour Digital in which they discussed current topics Each episode was about two minutes long 25 26 Stiller also worked as a spokesman for Xfinity Author Edit Stiller at a book reading for Festivus in New York City in 2005 Stiller wrote the foreword to the 2005 book Festivus The Holiday for the Rest of Us ISBN 0 446 69674 9 by Allen Salkin The book discussed Festivus the fictional holiday promulgated by Stiller s Seinfeld character Frank Costanza 27 Stiller also authored a memoir titled Married to Laughter A Love Story Featuring Anne Meara which was published by Simon amp Schuster ISBN 0 684 86903 9 28 Personal life Edit Stiller s son Ben Stiller was married to Anne Meara for over 60 years from 1954 until her death on May 23 2015 29 The two met in an agent s office Meara was upset about an interaction with the casting agent so Stiller took her out for coffee all he could afford and they remained together ever since Meara was Irish Catholic and converted to Judaism before the couple s two children were born 9 They had two children actress Amy Stiller born 1961 and actor comedian Ben Stiller born 1965 30 He had two grandchildren through Ben Death EditOn May 11 2020 Stiller died from natural causes at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan at the age of 92 31 32 Many actors Stiller worked with including Seinfeld castmates Jerry Seinfeld Julia Louis Dreyfus Jason Alexander and Michael Richards 33 and King of Queens castmates Kevin James and Leah Remini paid tributes to him on social media 34 Filmography EditFilm Edit Year Film Role Notes Ref s 1970 Lovers and Other Strangers Jim Uncredited 35 1974 The Taking of Pelham One Two Three Lt Rico Patrone 36 Airport 1975 Sam 36 1976 The Ritz Carmine Vespucci 36 1977 Nasty Habits P R Priest 36 1980 Those Lips Those Eyes Mr Shoemaker 36 1986 Seize the Day Dr Tamkin 36 1987 Hot Pursuit Victor Honeywell 36 Nadine Raymond Escobar 36 1988 Hairspray Wilbur Turnblad 36 1989 That s Adequate Sid Lane 36 1990 Little Vegas Sam 36 1992 Highway to Hell The Desk Cop 36 Freefall Emily s Father Short1993 The Pickle Phil Hirsch 36 1995 Heavyweights Harvey Bushkin 36 1997 Die Story von Monty Spinnerratz Prof Plumpingham 37 Camp Stories Schlomo 36 Stag Ted 36 The Deli Petey Cheesecake 36 1999 A Fish in the Bathtub Sam Kaplan 36 Secret of the Andes Dr Golfisch 36 The Suburbans Speedo Silverburg 36 2000 The Independent Monty Fineman 36 My 5 Wives Don Giovani 36 Chump Change The Colonel 36 2001 Zoolander Maury Ballstein 36 On the Line Nathan 36 2002 Serving Sara Milton the Cop 36 2004 Teacher s Pet Pretty Boy Voice 38 The Lion King 1 Uncle Max Voice Direct to DVD 36 Anchorman The Legend of Ron Burgundy Man in Bar Uncredited 39 2005 R30 30th Anniversary World Tour Himself 40 2007 Hairspray Mr Pinky 36 The Heartbreak Kid Doc 36 2008 Snakes amp Arrows Live Heidi 41 2011 Swinging with the Finkels Mr Winters 36 2012 Foodfight General X Voice 36 Excuse Me for Living Morty 36 2014 Planes Fire amp Rescue Harvey Voice 37 2016 Zoolander 2 Maury Ballstein Final film role 42 Television Edit Year Show Role Notes Ref s 1956 1957 Studio One in Hollywood Sergeant Joe Capriotti Hugh 2 episodes 14 1957 The Big Story Tyler Episode The Hoax 1959 Armstrong Circle Theatre Pfc Elwood Johnson Episode Thunder Over Berlin 1962 The Defenders Sergeant Wysenski Episode The Empty Chute General Electric Theater Harold Episode Acres and Pains 1964 Brenner Chris Zelco Episode The Plain Truth 1964 1965 Linus the Lionhearted 3 episodes 43 1966 1978 The Mike Douglas Show Himself 40 episodes1967 1973 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 14 episodes1969 That s Life Episode Our First Fight 1971 1972 The Courtship of Eddie s Father Mr Landon Paul Sterling 2 episodes 37 1971 1973 Love American Style Leonard Ferguson Harry 2 episodes 37 1972 The Carol Burnett Show Himself Episode 6 8 1972 1973 The Paul Lynde Show Barney Dickerson 4 episodes 37 1975 1976 Joe and Sons Gus Duzik 14 episodes 37 1976 Phyllis Burt Hillman Episode Phyllis and the Jumper 14 Rhoda Lloyd Zimmer Episode A Touch of Classy 14 1979 Time Express Edward Chernoff Episode Garbage Man Doctor s Wife 1979 1983 The Love Boat Harlan Weatherly Tony Vitelli Bud Hanrahan 3 episodes 37 1980 1982 Archie Bunker s Place Carmine 2 episodes 37 1981 Madame X Burt Orland Television filmHart to Hart Myron Finkle Episode Murder Takes a Bow 14 Private Benjamin Sgt Muldoon Episode So Long Sergeant Ross 1982 Simon amp Simon Harold Traxler Episode The Uncivil Servant 37 Alice Gordy Episode Do You Take This Waitress 37 1983 Reading Rainbow Dinosaur Comic Episode Digging Up Dinosaurs 44 Amanda s Sal Episode You Were Meant for Me The Other Woman Mel Binns Television film1984 Trapper John M D Artie Merrow Episode Where There s a Will 36 1985 The Equalizer Brahms Episode Pilot Tales from the Darkside Luther Mandrake Episode The Devil s Advocate 1986 Screen Two Marty de Reske Episode The McGuffin 37 1987 Saturday Night Live Stu Episode Charlton Heston Wynton Marsalis 1988 1989 Tattingers Sid Wilbur 14 episodes 14 1989 Murder She Wrote SFPD Lt Birnbaum Episode When The Fat Lady Sings 36 1990 Monsters Victor Episode One Wolf s Family 37 Sweet 15 Waterman Television film 45 1991 American Playhouse Sam Seymour Shapir 2 episodes 36 Women amp Men 2 Irving Television film1992 1996 Law amp Order Michael Tobis Sam Pokras 2 episodes 36 1993 1998 Seinfeld Frank Costanza 26 episodes 36 1993 L A Law Nat Pincus Episode Rhyme and Punishment 14 1994 In the Heat of the Night Rabbi Feldman Episode The Rabbi 37 1995 Homicide Life on the Street McGonnigal Episode In Search of Crimes Past 36 1996 Deadly Games Phil Cullen Episode Dr Kramer 1997 Subway Stories Old Man Television film 46 1998 Touched by an Angel Maury Salt Episode Cry and You Cry Alone 36 The Larry Sanders Show Himself Episode I Buried Sid 36 Hercules Eagle Voice Episode Hercules and the Promethus Affair 1998 2007 The King of Queens Arthur Spooner 195 episodes 36 2000 2002 Teacher s Pet Pretty Boy Voice 11 episodes 36 2003 Odd Job Jack Jim McDonald Episode A Candidacy of Dunces 37 Sex and the City Mr Brady Episode One 47 2009 Wonder Pets Bernie Voice Episode Save the Old White Mouse 37 Mercy Joe Thalberg Episode The Last Thing I Said Was 36 2010 Ice Dreams Skipper Television film 37 2010 2011 Fish Hooks Principal Stickler Voice 21 episodes 48 2011 The Good Wife Judge Felix Afterman Episode Silver Bullet 36 2014 How Murray Saved Christmas Murray Weiner Voice Television film 37 2016 Zoolander Super Model Maury Ballstein Voice Television film final film role Stage Edit Year Title Theatre Role Ref s 1954 The Golden Apple Alvin Theatre Mayor Juniper 49 1955 The Carefree Tree Phoenix Theatre Broadway The Propertyman 49 1956 Diary of a Scoundrel Styopka 49 The Good Woman of Setzuan Policeman 49 1957 Measure for Measure Barnadine 49 The Taming of the Shrew Biondello 49 1958 The Power and the Glory Mestizo 49 1975 The Ritz Longacre Theatre Broadway Carmen Vespucci 49 1977 The Unexpected Guest Little Theatre Broadway Harry Mullin 49 1980 Passione Morosco Theatre Broadway Berto 49 1984 Hurlyburly Ethel Barrymore Theatre Broadway Artie 49 1993 Three Men on a Horse Lyceum Theatre Broadway Charlie 49 1994 What s Wrong with This Picture Brooks Atkinson Theatre Broadway Sid 49 1997 The Three Sisters Criterion Center Stage Right Broadway Chebutykin 49 Accolades EditAwards and nominations Edit Year Award Category Nominees Result1997 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Seinfeld Nominated2001 Grammy Awards Best Spoken Word Album Married to Laughter A Love Story Nominated2007 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture Hairspray NominatedOther Edit In 2007 Stiller and his wife Anne Meara received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 50 References Edit Dennis Bjorklund September 2017 Seinfeld Reference The Complete Encyclopedia with Biographies Character Profiles amp Episode Summaries Praetorian Publishing pp 36 ISBN 978 0 9679852 4 4 Best remembered for his five year stint on Seinfeld in a recurring regular role Jerry Stiller is a veteran actor with a long history of stage performances His notoriety first came when he revamped the role of George s father but he was best known for Comedian Jerry Stiller Who Played Hot Headed Dad On Seinfeld Dies At 92 NPR org Retrieved May 11 2020 Berman Marc Comedian Jerry Stiller Dies at 92 Forbes Retrieved May 11 2020 Jerry Stiller profile at Accuracyproject org Retrieved May 24 2013 a b Jerry Stiller profile filmreference com accessed August 4 2014 Jerry Stiller August 8 2000 Married to Laughter A Love Story Featuring Anne Meara Simon amp Schuster pp 19 ISBN 978 0 7432 1146 8 Jerry Stiller s Own Private East Side Famous Alumni Sewardparkhs com Archived from the original on July 7 2019 Retrieved November 3 2013 a b Actor Jerry Stiller s Favorite Role Proud Jewish Dad Kveller May 1 2020 Retrieved May 17 2020 Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara Brought Us So Much More than Laughs Country Living Retrieved March 8 2020 Comedian Jerry Stiller schleps to the Statler to give his shtick on Ithaca Cornell Chronicle Retrieved March 21 2010 Schmuckler Carol April 1 1995 The Bond of a Lifetime Syracuse University Magazine Vol 11 no 3 p 40 Retrieved February 23 2021 Alessandrini Sarah May 12 2020 Jerry Stiller received awards for comedic talent during time as SU student The Daily Orange Retrieved May 12 2020 a b c d e f g Dagan Carmel May 11 2020 Jerry Stiller Seinfeld and Hairspray Actor and Comedian Dies at 92 Variety Retrieved May 11 2020 Houseman John 1979 Front amp Center New York Simon amp Schuster p 439 ISBN 0 671 24328 4 a b Anne Meara Comedian and Actress Dies at 85 The New York Times May 24 2015 Archived from the original on May 24 2015 Retrieved May 24 2015 Jeffrey Ross September 15 2009 I Only Roast the Ones I Love Busting Balls Without Burning Bridges Gallery Books pp 163 ISBN 978 1 4391 6420 4 Terrace Vincent 1985 Encyclopedia of Television Series Pilots and Specials Volume 2 VNR AG p 404 ISBN 0918432618 Retrieved April 20 2016 a b Jerry Stiller Seinfeld Actor and Father of Ben Stiller Dies at 92 Time Archived from the original on May 12 2020 Retrieved May 11 2020 Boskovitch Ben May 11 2020 Jerry Stiller Once Told Us How the Real Frank Costanza Was Born in the Middle of a Seinfeld Scene Esquire Retrieved May 13 2020 Fussman Cal May 11 2020 Jerry Stiller What I ve Learned Esquire Retrieved May 13 2020 Seinfeld veteran Jerry Stiller has died Los Angeles Times May 11 2020 Retrieved May 11 2020 King of Queens cast prepares to say farewell Today Associated Press Retrieved January 25 2020 WHEN CARRIE PUTS ON A COUPLE OF EXTRA POUNDS DOUG Press release CBS Broadcasting Archived from the original on November 25 2018 Retrieved November 25 2018 Watch Stiller and Meara online Stillerandmeara com Archived from the original on March 12 2013 Retrieved May 24 2013 STILLER AND MEARA RECEIVE STAR ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME UPI Wolf Buch February 23 2006 Introducing Festivus Appreciation Day ABC News Retrieved May 12 2020 Delatiner Barbara September 3 2000 The Guide The New York Times Retrieved May 12 2020 Dagan Carmel May 24 2015 Actress and Comedian Anne Meara Mother of Ben Stiller Dies at 85 Variety Retrieved May 11 2020 Kilgannon Corey October 19 2018 Ladies and Gentlemen Give It Up for er Ben Stiller s Sister The New York Times Retrieved May 11 2020 Stiller Ben May 11 2020 I m sad to say that my father Jerry Stiller passed away from natural causes He was a great dad and grandfather and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years He will be greatly missed Love you Dad RedHourBen Retrieved May 11 2020 Keepnews Peter May 11 2020 Jerry Stiller Comedian With Enduring Appeal Is Dead at 92 The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved May 11 2020 Michael Richards joins Instagram to pay tribute to Jerry Stiller News May 15 2020 Retrieved September 10 2020 Seinfeld The King Of Queens Casts Honor Jerry Stiller I Adored This Man Says Jason Alexander Deadline Hollywood May 11 2020 Retrieved May 11 2020 Dern Bruce November 18 2014 Bruce Dern A Memoir University Press of Kentucky ISBN 978 0 8131 4713 0 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar Jerry Stiller Rotten Tomatoes Retrieved May 11 2020 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Jerry Stiller TV Guide TVGuide com Retrieved May 11 2020 Teacher s Pet retrieved May 11 2020 Hamblin Cory 2009 Serket s Movies Commentary and Trivia on 444 Movies Dorrance Publishing p 18 ISBN 978 1 4349 9605 3 R30 30th Anniversary Tour Rush com Retrieved May 11 2020 Mobley Max May 1 2014 Rush FAQ All That s Left to Know About Rock s Greatest Power Trio Rowman amp Littlefield ISBN 978 1 61713 605 4 Obeidallah Dean May 11 2020 Jerry Stiller made us love him by screaming at us CNN Retrieved May 11 2020 Perlmutter David May 4 2018 The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows Rowman amp Littlefield p 360 ISBN 978 1 5381 0374 6 Kid Vid 1986 Retrieved May 12 2020 Aitken Ian October 18 2013 Encyclopedia of the Documentary Film 3 Volume Set Routledge p 450 ISBN 978 1 135 20620 8 Subway Stories Doesn t Quite Get There Los Angeles Times August 16 1997 Retrieved May 11 2020 Jerry Stiller actor and comedian father of Ben Stiller dies at 92 news yahoo com Retrieved May 12 2020 Clement Olivia May 11 2020 Actor and Comedian Jerry Stiller Dies at Age 92 Playbill Retrieved May 11 2020 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Jerry Stiller Broadway Credits Playbill Retrieved May 11 2020 Seinfeld star Jerry Stiller dies at 92 BBC News May 11 2020 Retrieved May 12 2020 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jerry Stiller Wikiquote has quotations related to Jerry Stiller Jerry Stiller at IMDb Jerry Stiller at the Internet Broadway Database Jerry Stiller at the Internet Off Broadway Database Jerry Stiller discography at Discogs Jerry Stiller at the Comedy Hall of Fame Jerry Stiller at The Interviews An Oral History of Television Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jerry Stiller amp oldid 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