Jerry Stiller: 10 Best Roles In His Career, Ranked (According To IMDb)

Ben Stiller announced through social media the passing of his father and acting legend, Jerry Stiller. Stiller wasn’t an actor anyone could forget with his undeniable charisma and ability to dominate the screen. Jerry Stiller was an actor many admired since the beginning of his acting career.

One of his best features is the timbre of his voice that was distinguishable the minute you heard it. Not to mention, his acting abilities were superb. There have been a number of roles Stiller has been known for throughout his career, so what better way to remember the actor than by taking a look at his ten best television and film roles.

10 The Heartbreak Kid (2007): 5.8

It wasn’t uncommon that Jerry Stiller would appear in a film his son was starring in. One of them happened to be The Heartbreak Kid, and he played the role of Doc Cantrow. Funnily enough, his role was the father of Ben Stiller’s character, Edward “Eddie” Cantrow.

Eddie falls head over heels with a girl he just met, and in order to keep her from moving for work, they get married after persuasion from his best friend and his father. But, things turn ugly as Eddie starts to see all of Lila’s (Malin Åkerman) bad habits. Jerry Stiller’s role will have you laughing as he isn’t shy about giving his son vulgar tips on women.

9 Hot Pursuit (1987): 5.9

Stiller played Victor Honeywell in the 1987 acton comedy film, Hot Pursuit. This was another film that he did with his son, who played the role of Chris Honeywell. The film was about a high school student named Dan Barlett (John Cusack) who misses his flight to the Caribbean with his rich girlfriend and her family.

He ventures on his own, hoping to catch up. Along the way, he encounters some not so desirable characters. Between misadventures and getting arrested, he finally makes it, only to discover the family was taken hostage.

8 Teacher’s Pet (2004) 6.4

Besides live-action films, Stiller has lent his voice to a couple of animated characters. One of them being Pretty Boy in the film Teacher’s Pet. Stiller was reprising his role after the show, of the same name, ended its run in 2002.

The animated film follows a dog named Spot (Nathan Lane), who becomes convinced he can be turned into a human after watching a doctor on a television program. His pals Pretty Boy and Mr.Jolly (David Ogden Stiers) find out the truth and rush to save him from being turned into a mutant.

7 Zoolander (2001): 6.5

One of Stiller’s most iconic roles was as Maury Ballstein in the film Zoolander. His son also happened to be the main star as Derek Zoolander. Stiller’s role as Derek’s agent isn’t one fans can forget. Maury Ballstein and fashion mogul Jacobim Mugatu (Will Ferrell) use Derek for a brainwashing program that will make him an unstoppable killing machine.

Derek has no idea he will be brainwashed to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The film is a classic action-comedy. Stiller as Ballstein takes charge and can rock a tracksuit and can command any scene he’s in.

6 Hairspray (2007): 6.6

Jerry Stiller was memorable in his role as Mr. Pinky in the 2007 film, Hairspray. Mr. Pinky was an exuberant character and owner of Mr. Pinky’s Hefty Hideaway. After Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) becomes a regular on The Corny Collins Show despite being seen as overweight and unliked by the popular girl, she becomes a spokesperson for Mr. Pinky.

Tracy uses her new status on the show to fight for racial integration on television and everyday life. The townspeople and her rival don’t want change and try to stop Tracy at any means necessary.

5 Hairspray (1988): 6.9

Some fans may not know that Jerry Stiller was in the original Hairspray before he became more known for his role in the remake. Stiller instead played the role of Wilbur Turnblad, Tracy’s (Ricki Lake) loving father. Tracy and her friend audition for a popular teenage dance show and has the moves to become a regular.

She soon challenges the status quo and gains popularity, becoming a plus-size model for Mr. Pinky and challenging the queen bee for the pageant crown. Tracy becomes involved in advocating for racial integration that will get her in hot water.

4 The King Of Queens (1998-2007): 7.3

Jerry Stiller can play some convincing and pronounced roles as a father on television. One of the most famous ones was as Arthur Spooner in The King of Queens. Stiller played Carrie’s (Leah Remini) widowed father, who is an oddball character. He lives in the basement of his daughter and husband’s home and continuously gets on their nerves.

The never-ending rivalry between Arthur and Doug (Kevin James) is one of the best comical element of the show. Stiller’s character was also well known for his random outbursts of anger and his nonstop retelling of past stories that are questionable if true.

3 The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974): 7.7

Good films always have a remake, and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three from 1974 was one of them. The remake in 2009 starred Denzel Washington. In the 1974 version, it starred Walter Matthau as Lieutenant Zachary Garber. But it also included Jerry Stiller in the role of Lieutenant Rico Patrone.

The film followed a group of thieves who hijack the downtown 6 train and demand one million dollars in ransom money. For every minute late, they would kill a hostage. It’s up to Garber to try and save the passengers and bring the hijackers in at any means necessary.

2 The Stiller And Meara Show (1986): 8.6

It makes your heart warm and fuzzy when you find out that Jerry Stiller and his wife, Anne Meara, starred in their own comedy show together in 1986. Stiller and Meara were actually a husband-and-wife comedy duo during the 1960s and 1970s. Their show, The Stiller and Meara Show was their first headlining show together.

Stiller played the deputy mayor of New York City and Meara portrayed his wife. While the show gets a high IMDb rating, it wasn’t successful back in the day.

1 Seinfeld (1989-1998): 8.8

Jerry Stiller’s number one most recognized and popular role was as Fred Costanza in the sitcom Seinfeld. Fred is a hothead, loud, irrational, and often times recounts stories from his past. Who could forget his random outbursts and his “Serenity Now!“

Stiller embodies the role perfectly that fed into why George (Jason Alexander) is the way he is. Fans can never forget the moment he went to pick up Geroge at the police station and bated Elaine into a fistfight. Frank also hates the idea of taking off his shoes in other people’s homes and made up his own holiday, Festivus. Stiller as Frank Constanza is a character that helped make the show one of the best sitcoms in history.

About The Author

Gabriela Silva
(478 Articles Published)

Gabriela Silva is a List writer for Screen Rant with experience in all things television, film and pop culture. A graduate of Fordham University with previous years experience interning for Cliché Magazine.

With her passion for movies, television and entertainment, she’s interviewed some great actors from Cress Williams of ‘Black Lightning’ to Tati Gabrielle from ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.’

Her love for entertainment reaches a broad range of interests from 90s thriller movies, guilty pleasure teen dramas, action-packed MCU movies to popular K-dramas. You’ll most likely find her binge-watching a new television show or movies on Netflix into the early morning.

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