Jerry Stiller Dies: ‘Seinfeld,’ ‘King of Queens’ & More Stars Remember the Actor
Actor Jerry Stiller has died at age 92.
“I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes,” his son, actor Ben Stiller (above with his father), posted on social media Monday morning. “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.”
Jerry Stiller and his wife Anne Meara were a well-known comedy duo; she passed away in 2015. His TV credits include his recurring role of George’s father Frank Costanza on Seinfeld and Arthur Spooner on The King of Queens, as well as a guest spot on The Good Wife and voice work for Fish Hooks.
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. pic.twitter.com/KyoNsJIBz5
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) May 11, 2020
The actor left a lasting impression on many, including those in Hollywood who worked with him. Jason Alexander, who played his TV son on Seinfeld, shared how much he “adored” Jerry on Twitter. “He was perhaps the kindest man I ever had the honor to work beside,” he wrote. “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.”
Such sad news that my beloved friend, Jerry Stiller, has passed. 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. #RIPJerryStiller I Love you.
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) May 11, 2020
Yeah. I adored this man. pic.twitter.com/4YiaTLJh4C
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) May 11, 2020
Jerry Seinfeld and Julia Louis-Dreyfus also paid tribute on social media. “Jerry Stiller’s comedy will live forever,” Seinfeld wrote, while Louis-Dreyfus said, “He was so funny and such a dear human being. We loved him,” alongside an outtake from the comedy.
— Jerry Seinfeld (@JerrySeinfeld) May 11, 2020
Jerry Stiller’s comedy will live forever.
— Jerry Seinfeld (@JerrySeinfeld) May 11, 2020
The truth is that this happened all the time with Jerry Stiller. He was so funny and such a dear human being. We loved him. RIP Jerry Stiller.https://t.co/kXL14zMKeX
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) May 11, 2020
Al Roker recalled his previous roles as well as meeting him on Seinfeld, while producer David Mandel remembered him as “one of the sweetest people this young writer ever got to work with.”
I remember seeing #JerryStiller as half of #stillerandmeara on Ed Sullivan. I loved him as Lt. Rico Patrone in Taking Of Pelham 123 and got to meet him during my stint on @SeinfeldTV as #frankcostanza. #ripjerrystiller at 92 pic.twitter.com/ym2XLCsbT4
— Al Roker (@alroker) May 11, 2020
Sad to hear of the passing of Jerry Stiller. He was hilarious, but also one of the sweetest people this young writer ever got to work with. I will forever remember him screaming “Del Boca Vista.” There was “Del Bica Bosta” and a bunch of other. Nobody could keep a straight face! pic.twitter.com/fOkX2tNQ4c
— David Mandel (@DavidHMandel) May 11, 2020
Kevin James, who worked with Jerry on King of Queens, shared a photo of the two and a touching message on Instagram. “One of the most kind, loving, and funny people to ever grace this earth,” he wrote. “Thank you for so many incredible memories. I love you and miss you. Requiescat in pace.”
Leah Remini, who played Jerry’s character’s daughter, shared a series of photos of the two of them alongside a heartfelt tribute. “I was lucky enough to work with Jerry Stiller … but even luckier to know him, the man, the husband, the father, the grandfather,” she wrote on Instagram. “I am only comforted knowing that Anne & Jerry, the great comedy duo of Stiller & Meara are back together. I will be forever grateful for the memories, the fatherly talks off screen and for the many years of laughter, the kindness he had shown to me and my family…You will be so very missed Jerry.”
Actor Parry Shen posted a touching story about Jerry helping him after his part on King of Queens was reduced. “A few hours later, I was informed that I had my role back and that Mr. Stiller (& Kevin James) spoke to the producers & got my job back,” he revealed. “When I thanked Jerry, he said, ‘Hey, it’s not Shakespeare! You’re doing great!'”
A few hours later, I was informed that I had my role back and that Mr. Stiller (& Kevin James) spoke to the producers & got my job back (unheard of – when you’re gone, you’re gone).
When I thanked Jerry, he said, “Hey, it’s not Shakespeare! You’re doing great!” (Continued)
— Parry Shen (@parryshen) May 11, 2020
It was thrilling to be present to see his comedic mind at work — how just flipping the intonation of that one line, made it 10 times funnier.
Yes, he was a comedic legend – we all know this. But I want the world to also know what a kind, generous & truly class act (continued)
— Parry Shen (@parryshen) May 11, 2020
… he was from someone who experienced it firsthand. I will NEVER forget, nor stop telling this story to folks until the day I leave this world.
Rest In Peace, my friend. You deserve all the VIP yams. 🍠
— Parry Shen (@parryshen) May 11, 2020
More across Hollywood, including Morgan Fairchild, Ike Barinholtz, and Ricky Gervais have posted in remembrance of the actor.
So very sorry to hear this, Ben. He was always a joy to be around, as was your wonderful mother. Sending love and condolences to you and your family
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) May 11, 2020
So sorry for your loss, Ben.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) May 11, 2020
So sorry to hear this – your Dad made me laugh so much ❤️
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) May 11, 2020
RIP Jerry Stiller. You were a joy to work with in The Ritz, a joy to watch, and a very nice man. My condolences to your family. pic.twitter.com/8VNbXklqZj
— Treat Williams (@Rtreatwilliams) May 11, 2020
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. https://t.co/BDAzYqYhiT
— Rebecca Metz (@TheRebeccaMetz) May 11, 2020
He was a lovely man – always so kind to me. Condolences Ben.
— Hank Azaria (@HankAzaria) May 11, 2020
