Jerry Van Dyke

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

55

Gender

Male

Birthday

1931-07-27

Day of death

2018-01-05 (86 years old)

Place of Birth

Danville, Illinois, USA

Jerry Van Dyke

Biography

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).

Known For

  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

    The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

  • The Mike Douglas Show

    The Mike Douglas Show

  • The Andy Griffith Show

    The Andy Griffith Show

  • Diagnosis: Murder

    Diagnosis: Murder

  • The Middle

    The Middle

  • The Love Boat

    The Love Boat

  • Perry Mason

    Perry Mason

  • Love, American Style

    Love, American Style

  • Love, American Style

    Love, American Style

  • Love, American Style

    Love, American Style

  • The Merv Griffin Show

    The Merv Griffin Show

  • The Drew Carey Show

    The Drew Carey Show

  • My Name Is Earl

    My Name Is Earl

  • Coach

    Coach

  • The Dick Van Dyke Show

    The Dick Van Dyke Show

  • The District

    The District

  • Newhart

    Newhart

  • That Girl

    That Girl

  • The Mary Tyler Moore Show

    The Mary Tyler Moore Show

  • The Ed Sullivan Show

    The Ed Sullivan Show

  • Fantasy Island

    Fantasy Island

  • Kraft Music Hall

    Kraft Music Hall

  • Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

    Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

  • Raising Hope

    Raising Hope

  • Charles in Charge

    Charles in Charge

  • Yes, Dear

    Yes, Dear

  • Grace Under Fire

    Grace Under Fire

  • The Millers

    The Millers

  • Good Morning World

    Good Morning World

  • Unscripted

    Unscripted

  • Sid & Judy

    Sid & Judy

  • Teen Angel

    Teen Angel

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

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

  • My Mother the Car

    My Mother the Car

  • McLintock!

    McLintock!

  • General Electric True

    General Electric True

  • Annabelle's Wish

    Annabelle's Wish

  • W.A.R.: Women Against Rape

    W.A.R.: Women Against Rape

  • The Judy Garland Show

    The Judy Garland Show

  • The Cara Williams Show

    The Cara Williams Show

  • Committed

    Committed

  • The Courtship of Eddie's Father

    The Courtship of Eddie's Father

  • Run If You Can

    Run If You Can

  • Fresno

    Fresno

  • You Wish

    You Wish

  • Accidental Family

    Accidental Family

  • 13 Queens Blvd.

    13 Queens Blvd.

  • E! True Hollywood Story

    E! True Hollywood Story

  • Merry Christmas, George Bailey!

    Merry Christmas, George Bailey!

  • The Headmaster

    The Headmaster

  • Love and Kisses

    Love and Kisses

  • Angel in My Pocket

    Angel in My Pocket

  • The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited

    The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited

  • To Grandmother's House We Go

    To Grandmother's House We Go

  • Palm Springs Weekend

    Palm Springs Weekend