Jerry Van Dyke
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).
Acted in
Sid & Judy
2019
as Self (archive footage)
The Middle
2009
as Tag Spence
My Name Is Earl
2005
as Jerry
Unscripted
2005
as Self
Committed
2005
as Walter
The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited
2004
as Stacey Petrie
Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History
2001
as Himself
The District
2000
as Judge Beers
Yes, Dear
2000
as Big Jimmy Hughes
Merry Christmas, George Bailey!
1997
as Uncle Billy
Annabelle's Wish
1997
as Grandpa Baker (voice)
You Wish
1997
as Grandpa Max
Teen Angel
1997
as Jerry Beauchamp
E! True Hollywood Story
1996
The Drew Carey Show
1995
as Luther Van Damme
Diagnosis: Murder
1993
as Stacy sloan
Grace Under Fire
1993
The Pelican Brief
1993
as Assistant Coach Luther Horatio Van Dam (archive footage)
The Pelican Brief
1993
as Assistant Coach Luther Horatio Van Dam in Coach (archive footage)
To Grandmother's House We Go
1992
as Harvey
Coach
1989
as Luther Van Dam
Run If You Can
1988
as Brian
W.A.R.: Women Against Rape
1987
as Bernard Blackwell
Fresno
1986
as Tucker Agajanian
Charles in Charge
1984
as Mr. Merken
Newhart
1982
13 Queens Blvd.
1979
as Steven Winters
The Love Boat
1977
as Norman Quigley
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
1970
as Wes Callison
The Headmaster
1970
Love, American Style
1969
as John Pettidrew
Angel in My Pocket
1969
as Emery
Accidental Family
1967
as Jerry Webster
Good Morning World
1967
as Jerry Carroll
That Girl
1966
My Mother the Car
1965
as Dave Crabtree
Love and Kisses
1965
as Freddy
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
1964
The Cara Williams Show
1964
The Judy Garland Show
1963
as Self
McLintock!
1963
as Matt Douglas Jr.
Palm Springs Weekend
1963
as Biff Roberts
The Courtship of Eddie's Father
1963
as Norman Jones
General Electric True
1962
The Dick Van Dyke Show
1961
as Stacey Petrie
The Andy Griffith Show
1960
as Jerry
Kraft Music Hall
1958
as Self
Perry Mason
1957
as James Douglas