Actor. The younger brother of actor and entertainer Dick Van Dyke, he had a successful comic career in television playing roles of 'Dave Crabtree' in "My Mother the Car" (1965 to 1966), 'Luther Horatio Van Dam' in "Coach" (1989 to 1997) and as 'Tag Spence' in "The Middle" (2010 to 2015). Additionally, he played 'Rob Petrie's' brother 'Stacey' in a number of episodes on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1962 to 1965). Born into a religious family, his father was a salesman, his mother was a stenographer. Jerry Van Dyke showed aptitude for comedy during his high school years. While serving with the United States Air Force, he entertained the troops and won a talent contest. Upon his discharge, he established himself as a standup comedian on the nightclub circuit and first gained national exposure with appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" during the early 1960s. This led to his motion picture debut in "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" (1963), followed by "Palm Springs Weekend" (1963) and the John Wayne film "McLintock!" (1963). During the run of "Coach", he received four Emmy Award nominations. Van Dyke endured personal tragedy when his daughter Kelly, who struggled with substance abuse committed suicide in 1991. In addition to his acting, Van Dyke participated in poker tournaments on ESPN. He died of complications from an automobile accident he was in a few years earlier.
Actor. The younger brother of actor and entertainer Dick Van Dyke, he had a successful comic career in television playing roles of 'Dave Crabtree' in "My Mother the Car" (1965 to 1966), 'Luther Horatio Van Dam' in "Coach" (1989 to 1997) and as 'Tag Spence' in "The Middle" (2010 to 2015). Additionally, he played 'Rob Petrie's' brother 'Stacey' in a number of episodes on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1962 to 1965). Born into a religious family, his father was a salesman, his mother was a stenographer. Jerry Van Dyke showed aptitude for comedy during his high school years. While serving with the United States Air Force, he entertained the troops and won a talent contest. Upon his discharge, he established himself as a standup comedian on the nightclub circuit and first gained national exposure with appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" during the early 1960s. This led to his motion picture debut in "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" (1963), followed by "Palm Springs Weekend" (1963) and the John Wayne film "McLintock!" (1963). During the run of "Coach", he received four Emmy Award nominations. Van Dyke endured personal tragedy when his daughter Kelly, who struggled with substance abuse committed suicide in 1991. In addition to his acting, Van Dyke participated in poker tournaments on ESPN. He died of complications from an automobile accident he was in a few years earlier.
Bio by: C.S.
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