Actress and comedian Anne Meara, whose comic work with husband Jerry Stiller helped launch a 60-year career in film and TV, has died. She was 85.. Jerry Stiller and son Ben Stiller say Meara died Saturday. No other details were provided. The Stiller family released a statement to The Associated Press on Sunday describing Jerry Stiller as Meara's "husband and partner in life." "The two were married for 61 years and worked together almost as long," the statement said. The couple performed as Stiller & Meara on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and other programs in the 1960s and won awards for the radio and TV commercials they made together. Meara also appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, including a longtime role on "All My Children" and recurring appearances on "Rhoda," 'Alf," 'Sex and the City" and "The King of Queens." She shared the screen with her son in 2006's "Night at the Museum." Meara was twice nominated for an Emmy Award for her supporting role on "Archie Bunker's Place," along with three other Emmy nods, most recently in 1997 for her guest-starring role on "Homicide." She won a Writers Guild Award for co-writing the 1983 TV movie "The Other Woman." Besides her husband and son, Meara is survived by her daughter, Amy, and several grandchildren. The family statement said: "Anne's memory lives on in the hearts of daughter Amy, son Ben, her grandchildren, her extended family and friends, and the millions she entertained as an actress, writer and comedienne."
I grew up watching Stiller & Meara on many TV variety shows, and I always looked forward to their hilarious comedy routines. Regarding her many dramatic roles, a real surprise for me was her brief appearance as Mrs. Curry in the 1978 film, THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL. I've always wondered, "How'd she get THIS job???"
Sorry to hear that. I will always remember her as Spence's mom on THE KING OF QUEENS, and it was always interesting to see her interact with her real-life husband on that show (Jerry Stiller's Arthur being one of my favourite sit com characters ever).
I hope some day I get to see THE OTHER WOMAN (no relation to the recent farce), a Made-For-TV project which she co-wrote as well as starred in. (The script won a Writers Guild Award, and was directed by the great Mel Shavelson.) The refreshing premise was that Hal (BARNEY MILER) Linden's character has a beautiful wife much younger than he is, and then, much to his surprise, he finds himself attracted to the Meara character, a woman closer to his own age with whom he can share life experiences common to their generation.
Oh my, I didn't pick up on the name right away. I know her more recently for her supporting role on King of Queens. She was great and obviously had incredible chemistry with her husband. So sorry for the family. RIP.
I recently heard her last official performance, along with her husband Jerry Stiller. They played RV's going on vacation at the national park in Planes Fire and Rescue. They had a pretty nice bit, going to see the big waterfall in the park, and they were rescued from the bridge that was on fire. A nice little final performance together for them, in a sweet little movie.
I grew up watching Stiller & Meara on many TV variety shows, and I always looked forward to their hilarious comedy routines. Regarding her many dramatic roles, a real surprise for me was her brief appearance as Mrs. Curry in the 1978 film, THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL. I've always wondered, "How'd she get THIS job???"
