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

Perry Mason

The Andy Griffith Show

The Love Boat

The Middle

The Mike Douglas Show

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Diagnosis: Murder

All Movies (14)

• Sid & Judy2019 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited2004 · as Stacey Petrie
• Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History2001 · as Himself
• Merry Christmas, George Bailey1997 · as Uncle Billy
• Annabelle's Wish1997 · as Grandpa Baker (voice)
• Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade1996 · as Self - Host
• To Grandmother's House We Go1992 · as Harvey
• Run If You Can1988 · as Brian
• W.A.R.: Women Against Rape1987 · as Bernard Blackwell
• Angel in My Pocket1969 · as Emery
• Love and Kisses1965 · as Freddy
• McLintock!1963 · as Matt Douglas Jr.
• Palm Springs Weekend1963 · as Biff Roberts
• The Courtship of Eddie's Father1963 · as Norman Jones

All TV Shows (43)

• The Millers2013 · as Bud
• Raising Hope2010 · as Mel
• The Middle2009 · as Tag Spence
• My Name Is Earl2005 · as Jerry
• Unscripted2005 · as Jerry Van Dyke
• Committed2005 · as Walter
• The District2000 · as Judge Beers
• Yes, Dear2000 · as Big Jimmy Hughes
• Teen Angel1997 · as Jerry Beauchamp
• You Wish1997 · as Max
• E! True Hollywood Story1996
• The Drew Carey Show1995 · as Luther Van Damme
• Diagnosis: Murder1993 · as Stacy sloan
• Grace Under Fire1993 · as Luther Van Dam
• Coach1989 · as Luther Van Dam
• Fresno1986 · as Tucker Agajanian
• Charles in Charge1984 · as Mr. Merken
• Newhart1982 · as Roy Herzog
• 13 Queens Blvd.1979 · as Steven Winters
• Fantasy Island1978 · as Mr. Brennan
• The Love Boat1977 · as Norman Quigley
• The New Dick Van Dyke Show1971 · as Mickey Preston
• The Mary Tyler Moore Show1970 · as Wes Callison
• The Headmaster1970
• Love, American Style1969 · as John Pettidrew
• Love, American Style1969 · as Dwayne
• Love, American Style1969 · as Gordon
• Accidental Family1967 · as Jerry Webster
• Good Morning World1967 · as Jerry Carroll
• That Girl1966
• My Mother the Car1965 · as Dave Crabtree
• Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.1964
• The Cara Williams Show1964
• The Judy Garland Show1963 · as Self
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self
• The Merv Griffin Show1962 · as Self
• General Electric True1962
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self
• The Dick Van Dyke Show1961 · as Stacey Petrie
• The Andy Griffith Show1960 · as Jerry
• Kraft Music Hall1958 · as Self
• Perry Mason1957 · as James Douglas
• The Ed Sullivan Show1948 · as Self