Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Kristy Puchko | Celebrity | May 11, 2020
Today on Twitter, trending topics included Serenity Now, RIP Arthur, Festivus, and Jerry Stiller. All were in honor of the comic actor who touched millions through his work on Seinfeld, The King of Queens, and Hairspray, as well as starring opposite his son Ben Stiller in movies like Zoolander, The Heartbreak Kid, and Heavyweights.
Ben Stiller announced the news his father's passing on Twitter with a touching tribute.
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. pic.twitter.com/KyoNsJIBz5
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) May 11, 2020
Jerry Stiller was 92 years old. He was preceded in death by his wife and comedy partner of 62 years Anne Meara, who passed in 2015.
On Twitter, Seinfeld fans toasted the man who gave us the hilarious rage of Frank Costanza.
Serenity now pic.twitter.com/8u50kLGip4
— Michael Verdi (@manwitheyebrows) May 11, 2020
Unofficial Top Five Frank Costanza Quotes
— Fred Cunningham (@fredontv) May 11, 2020
1. Serenity now!
2. A Festivus for the rest of us
3. My George isn't clever enough to hatch a scheme like this
4. So, who's having sex with the hen?
5. I find tinsel distracting.
RIP Jerry Stiller pic.twitter.com/GLKMEUndrc
I knew this day would come but that doesn't make it less sad.
— Raheem Kassam 😷 (@RaheemKassam) May 11, 2020
RIP Jerry Stiller.
One of the greats has left us! pic.twitter.com/kCEpyAy4Tz
Serenity now.
— John Blair (@VicVinegar75) May 11, 2020
RIP Jerry Stiller, this outtake remains the funniest thing I've ever seen pic.twitter.com/QEGPCBtjPP
The Father of Festivus, Jerry Stiller, has passed. He and wife Anne Meara's popular comedy routine was a mainstay throughout the 60's. The father of Ben Stiller would create a cultural touchstone though with his turn as Frank Costanza on Seinfeld; bringing us all Serenity Now! pic.twitter.com/9Ccz9l7JJ7
— Reconsidering Cinema (@coenesqued) May 11, 2020
King of Queens lovers remember Stiller as Arthur Spooner.
Frank Costanza and Arthur Spooner were hilarious characters that could only have been played by Jerry Stiller with his trademark delivery. Whenever he started to raise his voice you couldn't help but laugh.
— Petrov McGuire (@McguirePetrov) May 11, 2020
RIP Jerry, here's to serenity now. pic.twitter.com/mLsQXO1lVQ
RIP Arthur... pic.twitter.com/OrAiIISc3M
— Nigge (@ForeverNigge) May 11, 2020
RIP Jerry Stiller the GOAT sitcom dad #JerryStiller #KingofQueens pic.twitter.com/YbCebPGPci
— Tandoori Papi (@seangovind) May 11, 2020
This crazy old man made me laugh again and again for most of my life. RIP Arthur Spooner pic.twitter.com/hRTrcWExxy
— Swan Ronson (@CrazySycho) May 11, 2020
RIP Arthur Spooner/Jerry Stiller pic.twitter.com/ln4n9KN4E7
— Balsamic Vin (@AlecKolenda) May 11, 2020
Others remembered Stiller for the heart he showed in John Waters' Hairspray. Among them was Hairspray producer and Tank Girl director Rachel Talalay:
RIP Jerry Stiller. Behind the scenes photo from #Hairspray with him and Divine outside the Hardy Har Joke Shop. Kind and wonderfully entertaining. [Two great losses in this photo.] pic.twitter.com/m2W5wJ3FmU
— Rachel Talalay (@rtalalay) May 11, 2020
Don't hate me but I only know him from Hairspray 🙄🙄 but rest easy champ. Say hello to my family for me â¤ï¸ðŸ’œ https://t.co/x3lyXMjkob
— a.Bubba🤞🽠(@LogoMatt____) May 11, 2020
I'll always remember Jerry Stiller as Wilbur Turnblad, Tracy Turnblad's doting dad and defender in the original HAIRSPRAY. "Let her eat, Edna." RIP. pic.twitter.com/5mSc5aXh0u
— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) May 11, 2020
Yet the greatness of Jerry Stiller cannot be confined to only these three roles.
Don't forget how pitch-perfect Jerry Stiller was in THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE. "We had a bomb scare in the Bronx yesterday, but it turned out to be a cantaloupe" pic.twitter.com/rO4krCDXDy
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) May 11, 2020
RIP to Jerry Stiller. Here's him and his wife, Anna Meara, cutting an ad for the single-payer healthcare movement in the 90sâ™¥ï¸ pic.twitter.com/B9Lg5FXdf0
— tim (@singlepayertom) May 11, 2020
On stage or off he could put a smile on your face. Photo credit Arlene Gottfried. RIP Jerry Stiller pic.twitter.com/U3fRr9QTwM
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) May 11, 2020
RIP, Jerry Stiller. A comedic legend who really knew how to steal a scene. Like here in Zoolander as Maury Ballstein. pic.twitter.com/4VAF5MYfHl
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) May 11, 2020
Jerry Stiller not just brilliant but he and his beloved wife + partner in comedy Anne Meara as warm, lovely, & ego-free as anyone in the business. RIP
— Frank Rich (@frankrichny) May 11, 2020
Thanks for the decades of laughter, Jerry Stiller. pic.twitter.com/xTr7Pk1zhB
— comedycentral (@ComedyCentral) May 11, 2020
