Comedy veteran, Jerry Stiller, died at the age of 92 due to natural causes on Monday. His son, the Hollywood star Ben Stiller confirmed the news.
He studied drama at Syracuse University and launched his acting career. Stiller found work on television including celebrity game shows and “The Love Boat” as well as on Broadway.
Jerry Stiller played George Costanza’s short-tempered father Frank on the smash TV show “Seinfeld,” he won the Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series at the American Comedy Awards in 1998. It was being cast as the curmudgeon Frank Costanza on “Seinfeld,” which premiered on NBC, that made him a superstar.
Jason Alexander, who played George in “Seinfeld”, said in a tweet, “He was perhaps the kindest man I ever had the honor to work beside. He made me laugh when I was a child and every day I was with him. A great actor, a great man, a lovely friend.”
He was nominated for an Emmy award the year before for the same role.
He also played Leah Remini’s father in the sitcom “The King of Queens” and starred alongside Ben in the “Zoolander” films.
Stiller was married to Anne Meara but lost her in 2015. the two met in a New York casting call and in a few years they became the timeless “Stiller & Meara” comedy team they starred on the stage and TV in the 1960’s. They were seen performing comedy sketches and routines which they had written together
Most memorable was a series of bits for a little-known wine called Blue Nun. The duo’s ads boosted sales by 500%. Ben Stiller recalls the family trips with his sister to California when his parents would head west to do television appearances.
“I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes,” the award-winning actor and director tweeted.
“He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years,” Stiller added. “He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad.” Added Ben Stiller.
