Jerry Stiller Net Worth

What was Jerry Stiller's Net Worth?

Jerry Stiller was an American comedian, actor, producer, and author who had a net worth of $14 million at the time of his death. Jerry Stiller's career spanned more than six decades across stage, film, and television. Beloved for his explosive comic energy and impeccable timing, he became one of the most recognizable character actors in comedy history.

After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Stiller studied theater at Syracuse University. In the 1950s, he met Anne Meara, an aspiring actress who would become both his wife and comedy partner. Together they formed the duo Stiller and Meara, performing sharp, relationship-based routines that became a staple of The Ed Sullivan Show and helped define the era's stand-up comedy scene. Their chemistry, built on contrasting Jewish and Irish-Catholic sensibilities, made them one of the most beloved comedy teams of the 1960s.

Following their success as a duo, Stiller transitioned into acting full time. He appeared in numerous Broadway productions and films, including "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three," "Hairspray," and "The Heartbreak Kid." Yet his greatest fame came later in his career with two iconic television roles: Frank Costanza on "Seinfeld" and Arthur Spooner on "The King of Queens." His portrayal of George Costanza's short-tempered father on "Seinfeld"—a role he joined midway through the series—became legendary for its manic rants and unforgettable delivery, earning him an Emmy nomination. He followed that with nine seasons on "The King of Queens," bringing the same intensity and eccentric humor to another memorable sitcom dad.

Beyond acting, Stiller remained a revered figure in comedy, admired for his longevity, professionalism, and influence on generations of performers—including his son, actor Ben Stiller. Jerry Stiller's career was a masterclass in timing, character, and commitment, proving that truly great comedy never goes out of style.

Early Life

Jerry Stiller was born Gerald Isaac Stiller on June 8, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up with his mother, Bella, father William (a bus and taxi driver), and three younger siblings in the East New York and Williamsburg neighborhoods. After the family moved to the Lower East Side, Jerry attended Seward Park High School and later served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Drama from Syracuse University in 1950 and studied theater at the HB Studio in Greenwich Village. In 1953, Stiller appeared in a Phoenix Theater production of "Coriolanus" alongside Jack Klugman and Gene Saks—earning praise from producer John Houseman, who called them "the best trio of Shakespearian clowns I have ever seen."

Soon after, he met aspiring actress Anne Meara, and the two joined the Chicago improv troupe The Compass Players (later known as The Second City). They eventually returned to New York, forming the comedy team Stiller and Meara, and began performing in nightclubs in 1961. Within a year, they had become a national phenomenon.

Stiller and Meara

During the 1960s, Stiller and Meara became household names, appearing frequently on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and numerous other variety programs. Their routines, often centered on their contrasting backgrounds—his Jewish heritage and her Irish Catholic roots—offered a fresh and relatable take on relationships and marriage.

In the 1970s, the couple transitioned from live performances to radio and television. They starred in the radio sketch comedy program "Take Five with Stiller and Meara" (1977–1978) and co-hosted "HBO Sneak Previews" from 1979 to 1982. They also recorded several comedy albums, including "Presenting America's New Comedy Sensations: Jerry Stiller & Anne Meara" (1963), "Ed Sullivan Presents the Last Two People in the World" (1967), and "Laugh When You Like" (1972).

Early Screen Career

Stiller made his television debut in 1956 on "Studio One in Hollywood," followed by appearances on "The Big Story" (1957), "The Defenders" (1962), and the animated series "Linus the Lionhearted" (1964–1965). His early film work included a small role in "Lovers and Other Strangers" (1970), followed by notable appearances in "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" (1974), "Airport 1975" (1974), "The Ritz" (1976), and "Nasty Habits" (1977).

On television, he guest-starred throughout the 1970s on "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," "Love, American Style," "The Carol Burnett Show," and "The Love Boat." His sharp comedic instincts and signature intensity made him a reliable scene-stealer long before his most famous sitcom roles.

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Television Stardom

In 1993, Stiller was cast as Frank Costanza on "Seinfeld," joining the show in its fourth season. His portrayal of George Costanza's short-tempered father became one of the series' most memorable characters, earning him an Emmy nomination and turning "Serenity now!" into a pop-culture catchphrase. On the show, his on-screen wife Estelle Costanza was played by actress Estelle Harris, and their hilariously volatile marriage became one of sitcom television's most iconic comedic pairings.

Following "Seinfeld," Stiller landed another defining role as Arthur Spooner on "The King of Queens," appearing in nearly every episode across the show's nine-season run (1998–2007). Acting alongside Kevin James and Leah Remini, he played the grumpy but lovable father-in-law whose unpredictable antics often stole the scene. His eccentric and larger-than-life portrayal brought him a new generation of fans and cemented his reputation as one of television's great comedic character actors.

Film and Voice Work

Beyond television, Stiller appeared in numerous films across five decades, including "Heavyweights" (1995), "Camp Stories" (1997), "Serving Sara" (2002), and both versions of "Hairspray" (1988 and 2007). He also played Maury Ballstein in "Zoolander" (2001) and reprised the role in "Zoolander 2" (2016) and "Zoolander: Super Model" (2016).

In animation, he voiced Pretty Boy on "Teacher's Pet" (2000–2002) and Principal Stickler on "Fish Hooks" (2010–2011). On Broadway, his credits included "The Taming of the Shrew" (1957), "Hurlyburly" (1984), and "The Three Sisters" (1997).

Personal Life

In 1953, Jerry met fellow struggling actor Anne Meara at an agent's office. They married on September 14, 1964, after Meara converted to Judaism, and remained together until her death in 2015. The couple had two children, Amy Stiller and Ben Stiller, both of whom pursued careers in entertainment. Stiller and Meara received a joint star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007 and often described their relationship as both a creative and spiritual partnership.

Death

Jerry Stiller passed away from natural causes on May 11, 2020, at age 92. His son Ben Stiller announced the news, calling him "a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years." His colleagues, including "Seinfeld" co-star Jason Alexander and "The King of Queens" co-star Leah Remini, praised his kindness, generosity, and lifelong dedication to comedy.

Awards and Recognition

Stiller won an American Comedy Award in 1998 for Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series for "Seinfeld," and he received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 1997. He was honored with a Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Album for "Married to Laughter: A Love Story Featuring Anne Meara" (2001) and shared a Lifetime Achievement Award with Meara at the 2012 Made in NY Awards.

He was also part of the ensemble cast nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for "Hairspray" (2007) and earned a Gold Derby Award nomination for Ensemble Cast. In 2014, he received a Golden Apple Award from the Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition, and in 2016, his performance in "Simpler Times" earned a Best Actor nomination at the Golden Door International Film Festival.

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