Did you know that ActorJerry Van Dyke, from ‘Coach’ Died he was 86?

Jerry Van Dyke star of “Coach” with  Travis. Credit PR Newsfoto

Did you know that actor Jerry Van Dyke, from ‘Coach’ Died he was 86?

Did you know that Van Dyke was an American actor and comedian and  was the younger brother of Dick Van Dyke.^[1]?

^{(July 27, 1931 – January 5, 2018)}

Did you know that Van Dyke made his television acting debut on The Dick Van Dyke Show with several guest appearances as Rob Petrie's brother Stacey?

Did you know that later in his career from 1989 to 1997, Van Dyke portrayed Luther Van Dam in Coach?^[1]

Coach (1989) Season 1 Episode 1 Video by Emilie Hetrick

Did you know that Jerry Van Dyke, who after decades in show business finally emerged from the shadow of his older brother, Dick, with an Emmy-nominated role in the long-running ABC sitcom “Coach,”?

Did you know that Van Dyke’s television career was intertwined with his brother’s?

Did you know tha Van Dyke earliest TV appearances was in 1962 in a two-part episode of “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” as Stacey Petrie, the would-be comedian brother of Dick’s character, Rob Petrie?

Did you know that Van Dyke was a boisterous performer who supported himself with a banjo-and-comedy stage act when television or film roles were few?

Did you know that  Van Dyke was invited on talk shows, like “Late Show With David Letterman,” and was nominated for four Emmys for supporting actor for playing Van Dam, but he never won any.

He told USA Today in 1990 that he was thrilled to get some recognition after his meandering career.

“Everybody talks about me making a comeback,” he said. “I say: ‘Comeback from what? This is as good as it’s ever been.’”

Jerry Van Dyke, left, with  brother, Dick, in an episode of the “The Middle” in 2015

Did you know that Van Dyke was a little more than five years younger than Dick Van Dyke his older bother?

Did you know that  by the end of the 1960s, Mr. Van Dyke’s television career had tapered off. He supported himself with his stage act at Playboy Clubs, in Las Vegas and on cruise ships?

Did you know that Van Dyke also appeared on shows like “Love, American Style,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and, not surprisingly, “The New Dick Van Dyke Show?”

Did you  know that after “Coach,” Van Dyke appeared in sitcoms like “My Name Is Earl” and “Raising Hope.” The Van Dyke brothers kept playing siblings together into old age, including on the ABC sitcom “The Middle” in 2015?

Did you know that in 1993, jVan Dyke with over three decades after his first guest appearance on “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” returned his brother’s favor when Dick had a nonspeaking, walk-on part in a Christmas episode of “Coach?”

Did you know that Van Dyke was married twice and had three children with first wife Carol, daughters Jerri Lynn and Kelly Jean and son Ronald?^[5]

Did you know that Kelly Jean Van Dyke, Van Dyke  daughter committed suicide in 1991, following struggles with substance abuse?^[13]

Did you know that Jerry and wife Shirley resided together on their 800-acre ranch near Hot Springs, Arkansas?^[9]

Did you know that Van Dyke was an avid poker player and announced a number of poker tournaments for ESPN in the late 1990s and early 2000s?^[2] 

Did you know that Van Dyke was also a four-string banjo player with several performances on The Dick Van Dyke Show to his credit^[3]

 Now if you didn't know, now you know...



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