Jerry Stiller Biography

Fast Facts

• Was awarded with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, which is given to the children of immigrants who maintain their families' heritage
• The New York Friar's Club honored him in 1999 in the highest rated televised event in the history of Comedy Central Network
• Although he usually plays uneducated, blue-collar characters, in real life he holds a degree in drama from Syracuse University, from which he graduated in 1950
• Began his career as part of The Compass Players with his wife, Anne Meara, with whom he went on to perform as the comedy duo Stiller and Meara
• Made his acting debut in a theater production, "The Silver Whistle․"
• Quote: "I can't believe what people say to me on the street, because [of 'Seinfeld'] ․․․ 'Festivus for the rest of us' and 'serenity now' ․․․ here I am [as an actor], getting paid every time somebody opens their mouth to pay me a compliment․"
• Quote: "[on working with his son, Ben Stiller] "I was in terror, to be honest with you․ I said, 'My god, that's my kid․ That's the boy I gave a Super 8 camera to when he was like 8 years old․' Now he's a director and he's pushing his father around․""
• Has written, starred in and produced award-winning radio commercials with Anne Meara for the wine company Blue Nun
• Published a memoir called "Married to Laughter: A Love Story Featuring Anne Meara" in 2000