Jerry Van Dyke
Acting
1931-07-27 · Danville, 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).
Filmography
Sid & Judy
2019 · Movie
The Millers
2013 · Series
Raising Hope
2010 · Series
The Middle
2009 · Series
My Name Is Earl
2005 · Series
Unscripted
2005 · Series
Committed
2005 · Series
The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited
2004 · Movie
Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History
2001 · Movie
The District
2000 · Series
Yes, Dear
2000 · Series
The New Addams Family
1998 · Series
Merry Christmas, George Bailey
1997 · Movie
Annabelle's Wish
1997 · Movie
Teen Angel
1997 · Series
You Wish
1997 · Series
Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade
1996 · Movie
E! True Hollywood Story
1996 · Series
The Drew Carey Show
1995 · Series
Diagnosis: Murder
1993 · Series
Grace Under Fire
1993 · Series
To Grandmother's House We Go
1992 · Movie
Coach
1989 · Series
Run If You Can
1988 · Movie
W.A.R.: Women Against Rape
1987 · Movie
Fresno
1986 · Series
Charles in Charge
1984 · Series
Newhart
1982 · Series
13 Queens Blvd.
1979 · Series
Fantasy Island
1978 · Series
The Love Boat
1977 · Series
The New Dick Van Dyke Show
1971 · Series
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
1970 · Series
The Headmaster
1970 · Series
Love, American Style
1969 · Series
Angel in My Pocket
1969 · Movie
Accidental Family
1967 · Series
Good Morning World
1967 · Series
That Girl
1966 · Series
My Mother the Car
1965 · Series
Love and Kisses
1965 · Movie
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
1964 · Series
The Cara Williams Show
1964 · Series
The Judy Garland Show
1963 · Series
McLintock!
1963 · Movie
Palm Springs Weekend
1963 · Movie
The Courtship of Eddie's Father
1963 · Movie
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962 · Series
The Merv Griffin Show
1962 · Series
General Electric True
1962 · Series
The Mike Douglas Show
1961 · Series
The Dick Van Dyke Show
1961 · Series
The Andy Griffith Show
1960 · Series
Kraft Music Hall
1958 · Series
Perry Mason
1957 · Series
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948 · Series