Jerry Stiller, the acclaimed actor behind some of the greatest comic creations in TV and film, passed away on May 11th at age 92, leaving behind a legacy that will be is nothing short of remarkable. Hear about Stiller’s tragic passing below:
Stiller’s career spanned more than 60 years but he was most well-known to modern audiences for his portrayal of Frank Costanza on the ’90s TV mainstay, Seinfeld.
Frank Costanza is the type of secondary every TV show wants to create, someone memorable with maximum impact that will enhance the core cast and that’s what Stiller did. Frank Costanza’s debut in season 4 is noteworthy because the character was initially played by John Randolph, whose portrayal was “more homely and sweet” but after this, the show sought a stronger, more independent voice and that’s where Stiller came in.
Stiller’s Frank ranks in at third overall for numbers of appearance by the secondary cast (first being Monk’s waitress Ruth and Jerry’s neighbour Newman) which is no mean feat. The character had iconic arcs like his pursuit of a retirement home in Del Boca Vista, finding his long lost cousin in Tuscany and “Serenity Now!” was birthed into our cultural lexicon because of Stiller.
Frank Costanza’s impact on the show was integral to its success as he was able to break up the main cast and have b-plots that helped tie stories together with such as the Mansier vs. the Brosier and the two-part epic ‘The Raincoats’ where George tries to sell his vintage cabana wear.
Behind the scenes, Stiller seemed to be the opposite of his relatively harsh and blunt character. Stiller was endearing and beloved by everyone he worked with and you can see it above in outtakes and bloopers that he elevated the show’s energy.
Stiller has had a remarkable career and his character of Frank Costanza will live on as one of the greatest comedic characters of all time. And just remember if you ever see him always say hi to Frank Costanza, even if he’s with a man in a cape.
