Anne Meara Dies at 85

The actress gained fame when she teamed up with her husband Jerry Stiller and performed on various variety shows of 1960s. Anne Meara is the mother of Ben Stiller.

Comedy legend and actress Anne Meara , who frequently appeared on the entertainment shows of 1960s with her husband Jerry Stiller, died at the age of 85 on Saturday, CNN reports.

Anne Meara gained prominence in 1955 when she married to comedian Jerry Stiller and started to work as a comedy duo called Stiller & Meara. The comedy team of husband and wife went on to perform in various variety shows of 60s and 70s era, including “The Merv Griffin Show”, “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”

Jerry Stiller and Meara spend 61 years together until her death on Saturday. She was survived by her daughter Amy and son Ben Stiller alongside her husband.

“Anne’s memory lives on in the hearts of daughter Amy, son Ben, her grandchildren, her extended family and friends, and the millions she entertained as an actress, writer and comedienne.” her family said in a statement.

Anne Meara was a lovely, funny, sweet artist. She gave our profession so much of herself. I will miss her. Rest in Peace.— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) /4/25, 2015

Meara was born in Brooklyn in 1929 and brought up as a Roman Catholic. In 1953, she met Jerry Stiller in a casting call in New York. The couple married one year later and emerged as a phenominal comedy team “Stiller & Meara”. The team appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” for 36 times, which was the eight most appearance on the history of the show.

In the 1970s, Meara and Stiller signed a contract with Blue Nun Wine and did many radio commercials for them. She started her own on television series Kate McShane for which she was nominated for Emmy Award as well. However, the series canceled after just 10 episodes. She also worked in many more television series including Rhoda, The Love Boat, ALF, Sex and the City and the Kings of Queens.

Meara and Stiller featured in the short-lived “The Stiller and Meara Show” in 1986.

Rest in peace Anne Meara. Loved her. pic.twitter.com/mX0IN13IKI— bob saget (@bobsaget) /4/25, 2015

Anne Meara made appearances in films as well including My Little Girl (1987), Awakenings (1991) and Zoolander (2001) where she worked alongside her son Ben Stiller. She was nominated for the Emmy Awards for four times including Kate McShane, Archie Bunker’s Place and most recently in 1997 for her one-episode appearance in Homicide. Meara also won the Writers Guild Award in 1983 for the TV film “The Other Woman.”

I had the honor of meeting Anne Meara a few times. It was a life highlight. RIP pic.twitter.com/eVDlHhvmFJ— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) /4/25, 2015