Actor Jerry Stiller Dies at 92

American actor-comedian, Jerry Stiller has died at the age of 92 from natural causes, his son, actor Ben Stiller announced on Monday.

“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.” he paid tribute to his late father on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/RedHourBen/status/1259759084309446657?s=20

Last year, Ben paid tribute to his father as he received his award at the 71st annual Directors Guild of America Awards, during which he described his father as “the most naturally funny man in the world.”

The speech arrived three weeks after Jerry was hospitalized after suffering a medical 'episode', which was haven been reported not to be a stroke.

Many celebrities had paid tribute to the late actor including comedian Christopher Titus who said on Twitter: "I'm in tears. So sorry, and thank you for the joy and the laughter Jerry Stiller, you were, and will always be, comedy gold. RIP."

Actress Rebecca Metz wrote: "Very early on, I had a few lines on King of Queens. My dad (also a Jerry) came to the taping and got to meet Jerry Stiller, who kvelled over how proud he must be of me. A comedy legend and the sweetest, most humble man. May his memory be a blessing."

[caption id="attachment_126328" align="aligncenter" width="615"] Jerry Stiller[/caption]

Gerald Isaac Stiller (1927–2020)

Stiller was born in New York City on June 8, 1927. He was the eldest of four children. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

In 1950, he graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelor's degree in speech and drama, upon his return from service in the U.S. Army. The late actor also studied drama at HB Studio in Greenwich Village.

Stiller met actor-comedian Anne Meara in 1953 and tied the knot the following year.

The later actor had a long career performing comedy routines with his wife Anne Meara in the 1960s.

The couple was a top comedy act, where they appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” some 36 times.

They kicked off their comedy team after Stiller suggested it for Meara she never thought about doing comedy.

“He always thought that I would be a great comedy partner.” She stated.

They joined the Chicago improvisational company” The Compass Players”, which later became The Second City, and left after they began performing together.

The duo was successful in the 1960s and 1970s, but their career declined as variety series gradually disappeared, however, they created a career in radio commercials.

They shared a star on the Hollywood Walk in Fame, awarded in 2007. Meara died in May 2015.

[caption id="attachment_126326" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara[/caption]

He also appeared on Broadway and guest-starring on TV series, including his son’s movie “Zoolander”, who Ben starred and directed.

Jerry and Ben Stiller made their first appearance together in the forgettable 1987 comedy “Hot Pursuit,”.

Moreover, In Ben’s first feature directorial effort, 1994’s “Reality Bites,” Meara and his sister Amy, both had roles, however, Jerry was absent except in the credits, where he was thanked.

The late actor is best known for his role on “Seinfeld” as Frank Constanza, as Leah Remini’s father on “The King of Queens,” where he was a series regular from 1998-2007, and as Zoolander’s manager in his son’s movie “Zoolander”.

Despite being known as a comedian, Stiller was also a serious dramatic actor with a long history on Broadway.

He made his Broadway debut in 1954 in the original musical comedy “The Golden Apple.”, while he made his screen debut in 1956 in a segment of “Studio One in Hollywood.”

Stiller’s first effort as a series regular was CBS’s brief “Joe and Sons” in 1975, which was followed by NBC’s 1988 “Tattingers,”.

In 2001, the late actor was nominated for a Grammy for best-spoken word album for “Married to Laughter: A Love Story Featuring Anne Meara.”

He also starred as a Voice-over in several animations including, ABC’s animated series “Teacher’s Pet” (2000), in “The Lion King 1½” (2004), in Nickelodeon’s “Wonder Pets!” (2009), in Disney Channel’s “Fish Hooks” (2010), in Disney’s “Planes: Fire & Rescue” (2014), and in NBC 2014’s special “How Murray Saved Christmas.”