About
"I'll never forget, on the first day of the shoot in front of the audience, Julia Louis, Larry, Michael Richards, and the whole cast surrounded me, wishing me well. They were rooting for me. They were protecting me from the fear, 'cause this was something. From that day on, those were the best years of my life as an actor."
In the two-hour solo portion of his interview, Jerry Stiller (1927-2020) chronicles his notable work in the long-form production Seize the Day, and details the role for which he is most well-known, that of "Frank Costanza" on Seinfeld. He explains working with the regular cast members and recalls memorable Seinfeld episodes "The Doorman," "The Fusilli Jerry," and "The Strike." He also recounts his regular appearances as "Arthur Spooner" on The King of Queens.
In the over-one-hour joint portion of their interview, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara (1929-2015) describe how they became a comedy team. They recount meeting as working actors in New York City and getting together as an act. They discuss their many appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, outline their comedy routines, and talk about the interactions that they had with Ed Sullivan himself. They also speak on the challenges of raising two children (Ben and Amy Stiller) while on the road. Gary J. Rutkowski conducted the interview on December 12, 2005 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Jerry Stiller on his Seinfeld character "Frank Costanza"
Jerry Stiller on working with Jason Alexander and Michael Richards on Seinfeld
Jerry Stiller on playing "Arthur Spooner" on The King of Queens
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on their rapport
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on collaborating on projects with their children, Ben and Amy Stiller
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on growing up in Brooklyn and his start in acting
On attending Syracuse University and being one of the first drama majors; on looking for acting jobs and trying to get an agent
Chapter 2
On seeing television at the 1939 World's Fair; on his first job in television
On his comedic influences, including Eddie Cantor; on his early television roles and working in nightclubs
On creating an act with his wife Anne Meara; on his recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist; on his appearances in 1970's movies
Chapter 3
On acting in the film "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" with Walter Matthau
On the series Joe and Sons; on his role in the film "Seize the Day"
On getting cast as "Frank Costanza" on Seinfeld; on the generosity of the actors on the show
Chapter 4
On the creative freedom and support he felt on Seinfeld
On his Seinfeld character "Frank Costanza"; on the makeup, hair, and costumes for "Frank Costanza"
On working with the cast of Seinfeld; on memorable episodes of the show
On the Seinfeld finale; on some of his favorite Seinfeld moments
Chapter 5
On getting cast on The King of Queens; on working with the lead actors of The King of Queens
On a typical work week on The King of Queens; on the popularity of the show
On how he'd like to be remembered
START OF JOINT INTERVIEW WITH ANNE MEARA: On how they met
On becoming a comedy team; on their television debut as a comedy team on The Ed Sullivan Show; on creating their alter egos; on having children
Chapter 6
On rehearsals and material for The Ed Sullivan Show; on Ed Sullivan
On the commercial parodies in their act; on the legacy of The Ed Sullivan Show
On their Blue Nun radio commercials
Chapter 7
On their appearances on sketch comedy shows; on their rapport
On the difficulties of raising a family while they both worked; on their children, Ben and Amy Stiller, being interested in show business
On fighting for the Cobra bill to extend health insurance for actors; on speaking out politically; on their favorite stories about each other
Shows
Colgate Comedy Hour, The
Jerry Stiller on his first job in television - on The Colgate Comedy Hour as an extra
Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on rehearsals for The Ed Sullivan Show
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on rehearsals and material for The Ed Sullivan Show
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on their last appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show and the legacy of the show
Joe and Sons
Jerry Stiller on the series Joe and Sons
King of Queens, The
Jerry Stiller on playing "Arthur Spooner" on The King of Queens
Jerry Stiller on working with the lead actors on The King of Queens
Jerry Stiller on a typical work week on The King of Queens
Jerry Stiller on his family members appearing on The King of Queens
Jerry Stiller on the popularity of The King of Queens
Merv Griffin Show, The
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on their television debut as a comedy team on The Merv Griffin Show
Seinfeld
Jerry Stiller on getting cast as "Frank Costanza" on Seinfeld
Jerry Stiller on working with Jason Alexander and Michael Richards on Seinfeld
Jerry Stiller on the creative freedom and support he felt on Seinfeld
Jerry Stiller on his Seinfeld character "Frank Costanza" and his on-screen wife, played by Estelle Harris
Jerry Stiller on working with the cast of Seinfeld and the lack of rehearsal time on the show
Jerry Stiller on the coin trick he perfected on Seinfeld and the relationship between "Frank and George Costanza"
Jerry Stiller on the makeup, hair, and costumes for his Seinfeld character "Frank Costanza"
Jerry Stiller on his contract on Seinfeld
Jerry Stiller on the Seinfeld episode "The Doorman" in which he and "Kramer" make the "manssiere"
Jerry Stiller on the Seinfeld finale
Jerry Stiller on some of his favorite Seinfeld moments
Seinfeld: "The Finale"
Jerry Stiller on the Seinfeld finale
Studio One
Jerry Stiller on working on Studio One with Margaret Sullivan
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Jerry Stiller on his Seinfeld character "Frank Costanza"
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Jerry Stiller on being influenced by Eddie Cantor, Jack Benny, George Burns
Hollywood Blacklist
Jerry Stiller on his memories of the Hollywood Blacklist
Industry Crossroads
Jerry Stiller on his memories of the Hollywood Blacklist
Memorable Moments on Television
Jerry Stiller on working with Michael Richards on the Festivus episode of Seinfeld
Pop Culture
Jerry Stiller on his Seinfeld character "Frank Costanza"
Technological Innovation
Jerry Stiller on first seeing TV at the World's Fair in 1939
Television Industry
Jerry Stiller on his memories of the Hollywood Blacklist
War
Jerry Stiller on serving in World War II
We Laughed
Jerry Stiller on working with Michael Richards on the Festivus episode of Seinfeld
World War II
Jerry Stiller on serving in World War II
Professions
Actor
Jerry Stiller on the creative freedom and support he felt on Seinfeld
Comedian
Jerry Stiller on considering himself a comedian
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on how they became a comedy team
Performers
Jerry Stiller on considering himself a comedian
Jerry Stiller on the creative freedom and support he felt on Seinfeld
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on how they became a comedy team
Genres
Comedy Series
Jerry Stiller on getting cast as "Frank Costanza" on Seinfeld
Jerry Stiller on his Seinfeld character "Frank Costanza"
Jerry Stiller on working with the cast of Seinfeld and memorable episodes of the show
Jerry Stiller on his role on The King of Queens
Commercials
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on their Blue Nun radio commercials
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on rehearsals and material for The Ed Sullivan Show
People
Andy Ackerman
Jerry Stiller on working with director Andy Ackerman on Seinfeld
Jason Alexander
Jerry Stiller on meeting with Larry David for the role of "Frank Costanza" on Seinfeld
Jerry Stiller on working with Jason Alexander on Seinfeld
Jerry Stiller on working with Jason Alexander on Seinfeld
Eddie Cantor
Jerry Stiller on being influenced by Eddie Cantor, Jack Benny, and George Burns and watching Eddie Cantor's live radio program
Larry David
Jerry Stiller on meeting with Larry David for the role of "Frank Costanza" on Seinfeld
Jerry Stiller on notes from Larry David on Seinfeld
Kevin James
Jerry Stiller on working with Kevin James on The King of Queens
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Jerry Stiller on working with Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Seinfeld
Walter Matthau
Jerry Stiller on acting in the film "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" with Walter Matthau
Elaine May
Jerry Stiller on creating an act with his wife Anne Meara, getting into improv, and watching Elaine May and Mike Nichols develop as a team
Anne Meara
Jerry Stiller on creating an act with his wife Anne Meara and getting into improv
Mike Nichols
Jerry Stiller on creating an act with his wife Anne Meara, getting into improv, and watching Elaine May and Mike Nichols develop as a team
Joseph Papp
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on working together for Joseph Papp
John Randolph
Jerry Stiller on his memories of the Hollywood Blacklist and how it affected friend John Randolph
Jerry Stiller on a later-in-life encounter with blacklisted actor John Randolph
Michael Richards
Jerry Stiller on working with Michael Richards on Seinfeld
Jerry Stiller on working with Michael Richards on Seinfeld
Jerry Stiller on the Seinfeld episode "The Doorman" in which he and "Kramer" make the "manssiere"
Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Stiller on working with Jerry Seinfeld
Ed Sullivan
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on Ed Sullivan
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on Ed Sullivan mispronouncing Anne Meara's name
Robin Williams
Jerry Stiller on his role in the film "Seize the Day" and acting with Robin Williams