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).
Known For | Acting |
---|---|
Most Rating | 4.543 |
Birthday | 1931-07-27 |
Place of Birth | Danville, Illinois, USA |
Also Known As |
1963
Palm Springs Weekend
4.9/16
Set in Palm Springs during a long, fun-filled weekend where several Los Angeles college students flock to spring break, centering on Jim who finds rom...
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Palm Springs Weekend
1963
McLintock!
6.563/221
Ageing, wealthy, rancher and self-made man, George Washington McLintock is forced to deal with numerous personal and professional problems. Seemingly...
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McLintock!
1969
Angel in My Pocket
5.3/3
The new minister in a small town faces the challenge of winning over its eccentric citizens.
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Angel in My Pocket
1993
The Pelican Brief
6.601/1534
A law student's theory about the recent deaths of two Supreme Court justices embroils her in a far-reaching web of murder, corruption, and greed.
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The Pelican Brief
1965
Love and Kisses
0/0
Two teenagers elope and take up residence at the groom's home with his parents and sister, but the newlyweds quickly discover married life is much dif...
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Love and Kisses
1997
Annabelle's Wish
6.516/91
Annabelle - a calf who has a special wish for Christmas - wants to be a reindeer and help Santa Claus drive his sleigh as he delivers his presents! An...
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Annabelle's Wish
1988
Run If You Can
3.5/2
A young woman accidentally sees snuff films through a satellite dish aberration and alerts the police, who are already looking for a serial killer.
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Run If You Can
1997
Merry Christmas, George Bailey!
0/0
Performance of the 1947 Lux Radio version of "It's a Wonderful Life", taped live in the historic Pasadena Playhouse as a benefit for the Pediatric AID...
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Merry Christmas, George Bailey!
1992
To Grandmother's House We Go
6.5/72
When the twins feel like their mom is tired of them, they take off on an exciting adventure to grandmother's house and encounter a pair of villains al...
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To Grandmother's House We Go
1963
The Courtship of Eddie's Father
6/34
Although he's only seven, Eddie's got it all figured out. He wants his father, a widower, to get remarried — to the girl next door. Unfortunately, she...
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The Courtship of Eddie's Father
1987
W.A.R.: Women Against Rape
3.3/3
When a man dodges conviction after raping multiple women, his victims take justice into their own hands.
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W.A.R.: Women Against Rape
2001
Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History
7.2/4
A campy look at the making of the 1964-67 TV series, as told by stars Bob Denver, Dawn Wells and Russell Johnson, as well as in flashbacks (actors pla...
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Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History
2004
The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited
10/1
40 years after The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961), Alan Brady wants to hire Rob and Sally to write his eulogy - in order to win a bet with his wife. Althou...
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The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited
2019
Sid & Judy
7.6/12
Explore the dramatic career and personal struggles of the talented and tragically short-lived entertainer Judy Garland through rare concert footage, n...
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Sid & Judy
1993
The Pelican Brief
6.601/1534
A law student's theory about the recent deaths of two Supreme Court justices embroils her in a far-reaching web of murder, corruption, and greed.
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