
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).
55 acting credits
Acting · 55

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962

Perry Mason
1957

The Mike Douglas Show
1961

Diagnosis: Murder
1993

The Andy Griffith Show
1960

The Love Boat
1977

The Middle
2009

Love, American Style
1969

The Drew Carey Show
1995

My Name Is Earl
2005

Coach
1989

The Merv Griffin Show
1962

Fantasy Island
1978

The District
2000

Newhart
1982

The Mary Tyler Moore Show
1970

Raising Hope
2010

Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
1964

The Dick Van Dyke Show
1961

That Girl
1966

Charles in Charge
1984

The Ed Sullivan Show
1948

Grace Under Fire
1993

Kraft Music Hall
1958

Yes, Dear
2000

The Millers
2013

Unscripted
2005

Teen Angel
1997

The New Dick Van Dyke Show
1971

General Electric True
1962

Good Morning World
1967

Committed
2005

The Cara Williams Show
1964

Fresno
1986

The Judy Garland Show
1963

My Mother the Car
1965

You Wish
1997

McLintock!
1963

E! True Hollywood Story
1996

Accidental Family
1967

The Headmaster
1970

The Courtship of Eddie's Father
1963

13 Queens Blvd.
1979

Annabelle's Wish
1997

Sid & Judy
2019

Palm Springs Weekend
1963

Merry Christmas, George Bailey
1997

Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History
2001

W.A.R.: Women Against Rape
1987

To Grandmother's House We Go
1992

The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited
2004

Love and Kisses
1965

Run If You Can
1988

Angel in My Pocket
1969

Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade
1996