Earlier today it was announced that comedian and actor Jerry Stiller has died at the age of 92 from natural causes.
Confirming the news on Twitter, son and actor Ben Stiller wrote: "I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes. He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad."
Jerry Stiller is perhaps best known for starring as George Costanzas’ father Frank on the hit US sitcom Seinfeld, before going on to play Arthur Spooner on The King of Queens, alongside Kevin James and Leah Remini.
Following the news of his passing, tributes have poured in on social for the late actor.
Leah Remini, who played Jerry's on-screen daughter for nine years in King of Queens, wrote on Instagram:
"I was lucky enough to work with Jerry Stiller, playing his daughter for 9 years on The King Of Queens, but even luckier to know him, the man, the husband, the father, the grandfather. I am only comforted knowing that Anne & Jerry, the great comedy duo of Stiller & Meara are back together. I will be forever grateful for the memories, the fatherly talks off screen and for the many years of laughter, the kindness he had shown to me and my family...You will be so very missed Jerry.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you Amy & Ben."
Actress Rebecca Metz also shared her memories of Jerry, writing: "Very early on, I had a few lines on King of Queens. My dad (also a Jerry) came to the taping and got to meet Jerry Stiller, who kvelled over how proud he must be of me. A comedy legend and the sweetest, most humble man. May his memory be a blessing."
ESPN host Mike Greenberg wrote: "Rest In Peace, Jerry Stiller. Thank you for making me laugh so many times."
Savage Garden singer Darren Hayes took to Twitter to write: "I absolutely adored the work of Jerry Stiller. One of the funniest comedians ever, stole every scene he was in - not a single project that didn't get better simply for having him in it. I'm so grateful for all he gave. My condolences to you, Ben, and your family."
The beloved comedian and actor was born in New York in 1927, and served in the US Army during World War II. In 1953, he married comedian Anne Meara. The two would go on to form the comedy duo act simply called Stiller and Meara.
Stiller, who was Jewish, used the dissimilarities between him and his Catholic, Irish-American wife, who was also two inches taller, for what became their signature routine on The Ed Sullivan Show.
During a 2005 Archive of American Television sit-down with her husband, Meara said: "That was Jerry’s idea, to use and plumb the depths of our backgrounds, exaggerate them and have the two differences of the Jewish and the gentile."
They were married until her death at the age of 85 on May 23, 2015.
Their daughter, Amy Stiller, is also an actress, and acted alongside her father in several King of Queens episodes.
Jerry also co-starred alongside son Ben in movies like Zoolander, Heavyweights, Hot Pursuit, The Heartbreak Kid, and Zoolander 2.
Our thoughts are with Jerry's family, friends, and fans at this time.
