Jerry Stiller – the iconic comedian best known to many for playing the quick-tempered Frank Costanza in the sitcom Seinfeld – has died at the age of 92.
Stiller's son, the actor Ben Stiller, confirmed the news on Twitter. "I'm sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes," he wrote. "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."
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/KyoNsJIBz5May 11, 2020
As well as starring in Seinfeld, Jerry Stiller had played Arthur Spooner in The King Of Queens alongside Kevin James and Leah Remini. The comic also appeared in his son's movies Zoolander, Heavyweights, Hot Pursuit, and The Heartbreak Kid. His final on-screen appearance was in Zoolander 2.
Jerry Stiller and his wife, Anne Meara, first came to fame as a comedy double act, with regular appearances on Ed Sullivan’s talk-show. They later attempted to launch their own sitcom, The Stiller & Meara Show, though only a pilot was made. Stiller went on to appear in various TV roles, though none were as successful as Seinfeld and, later, The King of Queens.
Stiller also had multiple movie roles, appearing in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, Airport, Nasty Habits, and Hairspray – both the 1988 and 2007 versions.
Meara passed away in 2015 at the age of 85. They had two children, including Ben Stiller.