Jerry Stiller Would Have Been 93 Now—Looking Back At His Best Roles 1 Month After He Passed Away

Jun 09, 2020 by apost team

On June 8th, Hollywood legend Jerry Stiller would have celebrated his 93rd birthday.

In honor of the late comedic actor, we’re taking a look back at some of his most iconic roles throughout the years.

Last month, Jerry Stiller’s son Ben Stiller took to social media to announce that his dad has passed away peacefully of natural causes aged 92.

“I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes,” Ben Stiller wrote on twitter. “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.”

Just as his marriage to late fellow comedian Anne Meara, Jerry Stiller enjoyed a successful career that spanned six decades.

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Stiller and Meara were not only partners through marriage, but through their careers too. The two enjoyed great success as stand-up comedians in the 60s and 70s as the Stiller and Meara Duo.

After the 80s, however, when the nature of television started to change, the couple would go on to enjoy success in their own names in TV series, movies, and other projects.

The 80s saw Stiller take on the role of Wilbur Turnblad, the encouraging father of main character Tracy. His wife in the film was the legendary drag queen, Divine, an overweight aspiring dancer. The John Water’s film eventually became a huge success, with it becoming something of a “cult classic.” 

The film was remade in 2007, with Jerry Walters returning, only this time in the role of Mr. Pinky.

The father of all TV dads, Jerry Stiller captured the hearts of many as Frank Costanza in the 90s American sitcom, Seinfield. Although Stiller managed to instill himself as an iconic character in the show, his character didn’t actually appear on the sitcom until season 5.

His legendary role gifted fans with countless contributions to pop-culture, including the re-invented male undergarment ‘the Mansierre’, or otherwise, ‘the Bro’. He also brought the secular “holiday” Festivus to the mainstream with his iconic line, “Festivus for the rest of us.”

Stiller blessed fans with yet another iconic dad role, this time as Arthur Spooner in the King of Queens from 1998 until it ended in 2007. In the show, Spooner lives with his daughter, main character Carry, and her husband, Doug Heffernan.

What is your favorite role of the legendary Jerry Stiller? Let us know in the comments and make sure you pass this along to your friends and family!