Jerry Van Dyke
Known For
Acting
Born
1931-07-27 in Danville, Illinois, USA
Died
2018-01-05
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).
Most Known For
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
The Mike Douglas Show
as Self
Perry Mason
as James Douglas
The Love Boat
as Norman Quigley
The Middle
as Tag Spence
Diagnosis: Murder
as Stacy sloan
The Andy Griffith Show
as Jerry
The Drew Carey Show
as Luther Van Damme
My Name Is Earl
as Jerry
The Dick Van Dyke Show
as Stacey Petrie
The Merv Griffin Show
as Self
Love, American Style
as John Pettidrew
Love, American Style
as Dwayne
Love, American Style
as Gordon
Coach
as Luther Van Dam
Raising Hope
as Mel
Fantasy Island
as Mr. Brennan
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
as Wes Callison
Newhart
as Roy Herzog
The District
as Judge Beers