Jerry Van Dyke

Known for ActingBorn 1931-07-27Died 2018-01-05Danville, Illinois, USA

He has that same genuine likability factor, owns that same trademark lantern jaw and is just as appealing and gifted as his older brother, Dick Van Dyke, but, for decades, Jerry Van Dyke had to bear the brunt of his brother's overwhelming shadow. The comic actor was born six years younger than Dick on July 27, 1931, in Danville, Illinois. Raised there, the crew cut blond showed an aptitude for clowning in high school. His stand-up comedy venues first took the form of dives and strip clubs throughout the Deep South in which his banjo-playing became an intricate part of the routine. At one point, Jerry was a regular on the Playboy club circuit. He then set his sights on the top showrooms in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Atlantic City and became a dependable opening act. Jerry's early career should have been rightfully interrupted when he joined the Air Force in 1952. He, instead, kept the troops laughing by performing in Special Services shows. Winning a military talent contest actually earned him a couple of appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) (aka "The Ed Sullivan Show") and resulting TV exposure. Following his tour of duty, he nabbed variety appearances and a regular comic relief role on The Judy Garland Show (1963). He found comic acting parts as well on TV. Like brother Dick, who was a huge TV star by this time, Jerry also did a stint emceeing a game show. In Jerry's case, it was Picture This (1963).Read more

Movies & web series

The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited

Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade

Love and Kisses

Unscripted

E! True Hollywood Story

You Wish

The Judy Garland Show

13 Queens Blvd.

My Name Is Earl

The Middle

Sid & Judy

Raising Hope

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Perry Mason

Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History

The Dick Van Dyke Show

The Andy Griffith Show

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Diagnosis: Murder

Newhart

The District

Yes, Dear

Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

The Headmaster

Annabelle's Wish

Fresno

Coach

The Drew Carey Show

To Grandmother's House We Go

The Ed Sullivan Show

Fantasy Island

The Merv Griffin Show

McLintock!

Accidental Family

The Cara Williams Show

Good Morning World

The Love Boat

Merry Christmas, George Bailey

Charles in Charge

Angel in My Pocket

That Girl

The Millers

Love, American Style

The Courtship of Eddie's Father

Grace Under Fire

Committed

The Mike Douglas Show

Teen Angel