As affable and appealing as his equally talented brother Dick Van Dyke and with that same trademark spade-shaped jaw, comic actor Jerry Van Dyke was born on July 27, 1931, six years younger than Dick. Born and raised in Danville, Illinois, the crew cut blond showed an aptitude for clowning since high school, and his subsequent struggle and survival after nearly five decades proves his enduring love for the business. Initially, his stand-up comedy stages took the form of dives and strip clubs throughout the Deep South in which his banjo-playing became a 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, Atlantic City, etc. as an opening act.

Jerry's early career should have been rightfully interrupted when he joined the Air Force in 1952. Instead, he kept the troops laughing performing in Special Services shows. Winning a military talent contest actually earned him a couple of appearances on "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. Soon, he found comic acting parts on TV. Like brother Dick, Jerry also did a stint emceeing a game show. In Jerry's case, it was Picture This.

Ever the hapless klutz and happy-go-lucky stammerer, Jerry built up his TV reputation in the early 60s. He turned down the title role in Gilligan's Island, which he rightfully deemed inane, and instead chose the equally silly My Mother the Car. It proved to be a disastrous career move. While "Gilligan" became a surprise hit that still runs in syndication four decades later, Jerry had to live down starring in one of the most lambasted sitcoms of all time. Truthfully, the two shows were on an equal (sub)par so it was just a cruel luck of the draw that Jerry ended up biting the bullet instead of Gilligan's Bob Denver. His subsequent two series were also one seasoners with Accidental Family, a sitcom in which he more or less played himself (a nightclub comedian), and The Headmaster, a drama starring Andy Griffith in which he played a physical education coach. Neither did much for his career. A promising co-star role with Griffith in the film Angel in My Pocket also went nowhere. Over the years, Jerry has appeared as a guest star on a number of brother Dick's shows, including the classic The Dick Van Dyke Show.

The genially dim character George Utley on Bob Newhart's 1980s series was originally created for Jerry but Tom Poston assumed the part. Good fortune finally smiled on Jerry when he won the part of Luther Van Dam, a role that capped his long career, on Coach, which earned him four consecutive Emmy nominations and a steady paycheck for eight seasons.

In his 70s now, Jerry Van Dyke spends much of his time at a ranch in Arkansas where he lives with his wife, Shirley, and raises cattle. Tragedy struck in 1991 when one of his three children, Kelly, a substance abuser, took her own life.


Turned down the role of Gilligan in "Gilligan's Island" (1964) because he thought it was "the worst thing" he'd ever read. Instead, he chose to do "My Mother the Car" (1965). Admitted to having regrets about turning down the offer to star in "Gilligan's Island" (1964). Brother of actor Dick Van Dyke. Was one of the first people to tour with the Air Force Tops in Blue. Appeared on the Ed Sullivan show with the group. Greatuncle of actor Shane Van Dyke, Carey Van Dyke, Taryn Van Dyke and Wes Van Dyke. Started his television career at WTHI-TV in Terre Haute in the 1950s. He and his brother both applied for a job there but Dick did not get hired.