Jerry Stiller, Actor, Comedian And Seinfeld Alum, Dead At 92
Actor-comedian Jerry Stiller, arguably best known as the irritable Frank Costanza, father of Jason Alexander's George Costanza, on Seinfeld, has died. He was 92.
His actor-son Ben Stiller confirmed the news on social media early Monday, writing, "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."
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
Stiller famously served as one half of the comedy duo Stiller and Meara opposite his wife, Anne Meara, who died in 2015. The pair were among the first graduates of the Second City comedy troupe.
In addition to his recurring gig on Seinfeld (in which he made 26 total appearances over the series' nine-season run), Stiller's other major TV credit was the series-regular role as Arthur Spooner — widowed dad of Leah Remini's Carrie — on CBS' The King of Queens. He also lent his voice to the Disney Channel animated series Fish Hooks.
On the big screen, Stiller co-starred opposite son Ben in Zoolander, Heavyweights, Hot Pursuit, The Heartbreak Kid and Zoolander 2.
Scroll down for additional tributes...
#RIPJerryStiller. You were a for-real comedy legend, and it's humbling to think about sharing scenes with you. You were on a Yoda-level of comedic skill — I saw you get a laugh just walking into a kitchen and saying, "Hello, Douglas!" pic.twitter.com/mcgZYpQxTD
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) May 11, 2020
One night you came to see me perform at Frank's Chophouse, and I jokingly asked why you had me cut out of THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE and you barked, in your best Frank Costanza voice, "Because you were AWFUL!" No could follow you and you WEREN'T EVEN ON THE SHOW.
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) May 11, 2020
And I'm so glad SOMEONE captured, on film, how easily you were able to reduce your castmates to tears with the smallest line reading. https://t.co/giiWqOxqKk
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) May 11, 2020