Legendary Comedian Anne Meara Dies

Legendary comedy duo and real life married couple, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.

She was half of the beloved comedy team Stiller & Meara and a fine actress in her own right, appearing in dozens of television shows and films, including a long run on “Archie Bunker’s Place” and in the film, “Fame” as a tough English teacher. But, Anne Meara is probably best known to several generations for her work over the last 60 years  for her comedy partnership with husband Jerry Stiller. The tall, Irish, ginger haired Meara providing an ideal contrast to her short, dark Jewish husband in their many appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and other variety programs in the 1960s and 70s.

The team never broke up, but as time passed, both actors concentrated more frequently on solo work with Meara taking a back seat both to her husband, who earned a new generation of fans with his work on the sitcoms “Seinfeld” and “The King of Queens”, and to her son, Ben Stiller who became an A-list film star. Both Meara and Jerry Stiller made cameo appearances in several of Ben’s films.

Anne Meara passed away May 23, 2015 survived by husband and children Ben and Amy.  She was 85 years old.

A toast to a very funny lady, Anne Meara.

And, a clip of Stiller & Meara on The Tonight Show “back in the day”.