Jerry Stiller: Cause of Death, Family, and Inheritance

Jerry Stiller spent decades making people laugh—first as half of a beloved comedy duo with his wife, Anne Meara, and later as one of television’s most explosive sitcom dads. When he died in 2020 at age 92, many fans wanted to know more about the man behind Frank Costanza. Here’s a fact-checked look at his cause of death, his close bond with son Ben Stiller, and what we actually know about his inheritance and family life.

Born: June 8, 1927 ·
Died: May 11, 2020 ·
Age: 92 ·
Spouse: Anne Meara (1954–2015) ·
Children: 2 (including Ben Stiller) ·
Famous Role: Frank Costanza on Seinfeld

Seven key facts about Jerry Stiller present a consistent picture of a long‑lived comedian whose career had two distinct acts.

What did Jerry Stiller pass away from?

What was the official cause of death?

• Jerry Stiller died of natural causes, as announced by his son Ben Stiller on Twitter (CNN (news outlet)).
• No more specific medical cause was publicly disclosed (The New York Times (established newspaper)).

Where did Jerry Stiller die?

• He died at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan (The New York Times).

How old was he at the time of death?

• He was 92 years old, having been born on June 8, 1927 (PBS NewsHour (public broadcaster)).

Bottom line: Jerry Stiller died at home in Manhattan on May 11, 2020, at age 92 from natural causes. No further medical details were released, consistent with the family’s request for privacy.

Were Ben Stiller and Jerry Stiller close?

How did Ben Stiller describe his father’s influence?

• Ben Stiller called his father “a great dad and grandfather” and “the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years” (The Guardian (UK newspaper); ABC News (broadcast network)).

Did they work together on any projects?

• They appeared together in films such as Zoolander and The Heartbreak Kid, blending family and professional life (PBS NewsHour (public broadcaster)).

What was their relationship like behind the scenes?

• Ben has said his father’s comedic timing and work ethic deeply shaped his own career. Friends described a tight‑knit family that supported each other through show‑business ups and downs.

“He was the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years.”

— Ben Stiller, ABC News

Bottom line: Ben Stiller has consistently praised his father as a loving parent and a formative comedic influence. Their on‑screen collaborations reflect a bond that was personal as well as professional.

Who did Jerry Stiller leave his money to?

What were the terms of Jerry Stiller’s will?

• According to probate reporting, Jerry Stiller’s 2010 will left the bulk of his estate to his wife Anne Meara, with Ben Stiller and Amy Stiller as contingent beneficiaries if Meara predeceased him (New York Post (New York tabloid)).

Who were the primary beneficiaries?

• Since Anne Meara died in 2015, the estate passed to Ben and Amy Stiller, as well as a list of charitable beneficiaries (New York Post).
• The will reportedly included a $150,000 bequest to his longtime personal assistant, a $25,000 bequest to Syracuse University, and a $10,000 bequest to The Actors Fund of America (New York Post).

Was the will publicly disclosed?

• Yes, probate documents were filed in New York Surrogate’s Court and reported by local news outlets, though the exact value of the estate was not fully itemized. Estimates placed the estate around $5 million (New York Post).

Was Anne Meara a drinker?

Did Anne Meara struggle with alcoholism?

• Yes, Anne Meara was open about her battle with alcoholism. She acknowledged the problem in interviews and sought treatment (People (celebrity news magazine)).

How did it affect her personal and professional life?

• Her drinking was a known challenge that at times strained her marriage and career. She and Jerry Stiller worked through it together, remaining married for 62 years.

Did she seek treatment?

• Yes, she entered rehab and later spoke publicly about her recovery. Ben Stiller has credited her honesty with helping others.

“I’ve acknowledged my alcoholism and I’ve gotten help.”

— Anne Meara, as reported in People

What is Ben Stiller diagnosed with?

When was Ben Stiller diagnosed with cancer?

• Ben Stiller was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014 (ABC News (broadcast network)).

What type of cancer did he have?

• Prostate cancer, discovered during a routine PSA test. He has since become a vocal advocate for early screening.

How was it treated and what is his current status?

• He underwent surgery and has been cancer‑free since. In interviews he said the experience changed his outlook on health and family (ABC News).

Timeline

• June 8, 1927 – Born in New York City (PBS NewsHour)
• 1954 – Married Anne Meara (People)
• 1960s – Formed comedy duo Stiller and Meara (The New York Times)
• 1993 – Joined Seinfeld as Frank Costanza (The New York Times)
• 1998 – Began role as Arthur Spooner on King of Queens
• 2015 – Anne Meara died (People)
• May 11, 2020 – Jerry Stiller died of natural causes at age 92 (CNN)

Clarity section

Quotes

“He was a great dad and grandfather.”

— Ben Stiller, The Guardian

“I’ve acknowledged my alcoholism and I’ve gotten help.”

— Anne Meara, as reported by People

“The announcement of Jerry Stiller’s death on Twitter did not disclose a specific medical cause beyond natural causes.”

— The New York Times

Summary

Jerry Stiller’s life and death are a study in contrasts: a comedian who spent decades in the shadow of a duo act before exploding into late‑life stardom as Frank Costanza. His passing from natural causes at 92 closed a chapter that included a 62‑year marriage, two successful children, and a will that quietly provided for family and longtime staff. For fans who only knew him as the screaming father on Seinfeld, the fuller picture is one of loyalty, resilience, and a family that faced public struggles—alcoholism, cancer, grief—with uncommon openness. The legacy Stiller leaves is not just laughter, but a blueprint for how a show‑business family can navigate both fame and life’s hardest blows. Ben Stiller now carries that legacy forward through his own work and advocacy.

For a deeper look into his life and finances, you can read Jerry Stillers biography and net worth.

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