What was Jerry Van Dyke's Net Worth?
Jerry Van Dyke was an American actor and comedian who had a net worth of $20 million at the time of his death. Jerry Van Dyke died on January 5, 2018 at the age of 86. Jerry Van Dyke came to national attention appearing on his older brother's sitcom "The Dick Van Dyke Show" in the early 60s. He went on to star on such series as "My Mother the Car," "Accidental Family," and "Coach," the lattermost of which gave him his longest-running role. Van Dyke also appeared in films, with credits including "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," "Love & Kisses," and "Angel in My Pocket."
Early Life
Jerry Van Dyke was born on July 27, 1931 in Danville, Illinois to salesman Loren and stenographer Hazel. His older brother is famous actor Dick Van Dyke. The family has English, Dutch, Scottish, and Irish ancestry.
Career Beginnings
While still in high school, Van Dyke began a career in stand-up comedy, and soon became a veteran of nightclubs and strip joints. In the mid-50s, he joined the Tops in Blue touring performance ensemble of the US Air Force, performing at military bases around the globe. Subsequently, Van Dyke worked at WTHI-TV in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Television Career
Van Dyke landed his first substantial television role in 1962 when he began playing Stacey Petrie on his brother's sitcom "The Dick Van Dyke Show." The same year, he appeared in an episode of the anthology series "GE True." Van Dyke also made appearances on a number of variety shows, including "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Andy Williams Show," "The Garry Moore Show," and "The Judy Garland Show," on which he was a regular from 1963 to 1964. He had his first main acting role on a television series from 1965 to 1966, playing attorney Dave Crabtree on the NBC fantasy sitcom "My Mother the Car." Ultimately, the widely derided show was canceled after a single season. Van Dyke starred on another short-lived sitcom, "Accidental Family," from 1967 to 1968. He went on to make appearances on such shows as "Good Morning World," "Gomer Pyle-USMC," "Love, American Style," and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Meanwhile, in 1970, Van Dyke starred opposite Andy Griffith on the short-lived "Headmaster." At the end of the 70s, he starred on yet another short-lived sitcom, "13 Queens Boulevard."
In the 80s, Van Dyke appeared in episodes of such shows as "House Calls," "Newhart," and "Charles in Charge." He was also in the comedy miniseries "Fresno."
Closing out the decade, Van Dyke began the longest-running role of his career: assistant coach Luther Van Dam on the sitcom "Coach," starring Craig T. Nelson as the titular head coach of a fictional college football team. The show ran for nine seasons through 1997, earning Van Dyke four consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. After "Coach," he starred on the short-lived fantasy sitcoms "You Wish" and "Teen Angel." Van Dyke later had recurring roles on the sitcoms "Yes, Dear" and "The Middle," playing the father of the main characters on both shows. In his last television appearance, which was on "The Middle" in 2015, he appeared alongside his brother Dick.
Getty
Film Career
Van Dyke started acting in films in 1963, when he appeared in three of them: the romantic comedy "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," the bedroom farce "Palm Springs Weekend," and the Western comedy "McLintock!" Two years later, he had a role in the Ricky Nelson comedy "Love & Kisses." Van Dyke next appeared in the 1969 comedy "Angel in My Pocket," in which he played the alcoholic brother-in-law of Andy Griffith's main character, a Kansas pastor. He appeared infrequently on film following this. One of his few later roles was in the direct-to-video animated Christmas film "Annabelle's Wish," in which he voiced Grandpa Charles Baker.
Return to Stand-up Comedy
In the 70s, Van Dyke made a return to stand-up comedy. Throughout the decade, he toured Playboy Clubs across the country and headlined venues in cities including Las Vegas, Milwaukee, and Atlantic City.
Endorsements
Later in his career, Van Dyke did some celebrity endorsements. Among them, he appeared in commercials for the fast-food restaurant chain Hardee's and served as the spokesperson for the retail chain Big Lots.
(Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Personal Life and Death
In 1957, Van Dyke wed his first wife, Carol Johnson. Together, they had three children named Jerri Lynn, Kelly Jean, and Ronald. The couple eventually divorced in 1974. Three years later, Van Dyke married Shirley Ann Jones, with whom he was with until his passing.
Van Dyke was involved in a car accident in 2016 that left him in bad shape. In January of 2018, he passed away at his ranch from heart failure. He was 86 years of age.
Real Estate
Up until his death, Jerry and his wife Shirley lived at their 800-acre ranch in Malvern, Arkansas. He is survived be three children.
