Ben Stiller Grieves His Mother, Anne Meara, While Fans And Friends Offer Comfort
Ben Stiller shared his first public comments about the death of his mother on Twitter today. Anne Meara, wife of Jerry Stiller, mother of Ben Stiller, queen of comedy and a TV and film star, died on Saturday, May 23, at 85. Early on Monday, Ben tweeted his thanks for kind words from fans. Stiller said he and his family “feel so lucky to have had her in our lives.”
Thank you so much for all the kind words about Anne. All of us in our family feel so lucky to have had her in our lives.
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) May 25, 2015
The comedy team Stiller and Meara were a staple of the 1960s comedy scene, as Anne and Jerry made the rounds of TV and comedy clubs, appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, and won awards for their many radio and TV commercials. The comic work Meara did with Stiller in those early years launched her on a 60-year career in film and TV.
Anne had roles in many shows, including a long time gig on All My Children, appearing as the maid, Peggy. Meara’s comic talents came in useful whenever the soap plot got too tense, or the melodrama too extreme. The show would take a breather with a few minutes of Anne Meara’s Peggy, “who would offer a fresh-baked pastry and a little common-sense.”
Meara also had recurring roles in classics like Rhoda, Sex and the City, and Jerry Stiller’s The King of Queens. On top of all that, Anne continued the comedy work with her husband Jerry, received a 1993 Tony nomination for her work in Eugene O’Neill’s Anna Christie, and even wrote some plays that made it to off-Broadway New York theaters.
The Stillers’ two children, Ben and Amy, carry on the family tradition of comedy gold. The Stiller family have always supported each other in their careers, and as Ben became more and more successful and moved into directing, it wasn’t unusual to see Anne, Amy, or Jerry playing parts in Ben Stiller’s movies.
Ben can count on lots of love and support from his wife, Christine Taylor, and the two were spotted in Rome, Italy, out for dinner on Sunday. It was the first time Ben was out after his mother’s death.
On Twitter, friends and fans responded to Ben’s outreach. They offered words of comfort, describing Anne Meara as “amazing,” and “wonderful.” One fan reflected on how lucky we were to have Anne “on TV for so many years to make us laugh and love her.”
@RedHourBen Amazing. Incredible. Here forever
— Myanna Wedes (@MyannaWedes) May 25, 2015
@RedHourBen Thank you for sharing Anne with us. She was a wonderful woman. I hope you’re ok.
— Mike Meehan (@iammrmeehan) May 25, 2015
@RedHourBen and we were lucky to have had her on or TV for so many years to make us laugh and love her!
— Mary (@maryccc) May 25, 2015
Others had memories of Anne Meara to share.
1989 on line at UWS Haagen-Dazs w Anne Meara. Told her I worked at SNL with Ben. “You know my Benny?! Walk me home.” I did. A delight.
— Mike Shoemaker (@shoemakermike) May 24, 2015
The great actress, Anne Meara (Ben Stiller’s mom) who I had the pleasure of working with 20 yrs ago, has passed away. pic.twitter.com/uVYoJlVYS6
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) May 24, 2015
Anne Meara, rest in peace.
[Images via Global Grind and The Daily Mail]
