Actress and comedian Anne Meara, whose work as one half of comic duo Stiller & Meara helped launch a 60-year career in film and TV, has died. She was 85.
Meara first rose to stardom performing comedy with her husband Jerry Stiller in the 1960s, making frequent appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and other variety shows. She went on to appear in dozens of film and TV roles, including a longtime role on All My Children and recurring appearances on Rhoda, Alf, Sex and the City and The King of Queens.
Besides her husband, she is survived by her son, comic actor Ben Stiller, daughter Amy Stiller and grandchildren. The Stiller family released a statement to The Associated Press on Sunday describing Jerry Stiller as Meara's "husband and partner in life."
"The two were married for 61 years and worked together almost as long," the statement said.
"Anne's memory lives on in the hearts of daughter Amy, son Ben, her grandchildren, her extended family and friends, and the millions she entertained as an actress, writer and comedienne," the statement continues.
The couple honed their comedy chops at Chicago's Compass Theater, an improv troupe that later evolved into the renowned Second City Theater. They were among the company's pioneering members and the first graduates to go on to fame.
Our hearts are with everyone who loved her. pic.twitter.com/9Vt0airOIn— The Second City (@TheSecondCity) May 24, 2015
The comedy duo decided to pursue separate careers in the 1970s, and Meara took on dozens of TV and movie roles throughout the next three decades. She also authored and starred in several plays.
She was twice nominated for an Emmy Award for her supporting role on Archie Bunker's Place, along with two other Emmy nods, most recently in 1997 for her guest-starring role on Homicide. She won a Writers Guild Award for co-writing the 1983 TV movie The Other Woman. She was also nominated for a Tony for her turn in a 1993 production of Anna Christie.
Several big-name comedians and other celebrities paid tribute to the comedy great on social media on Sunday.
Stiller and Meara have been a wonderful presence in comedy my whole life. Now Anne Meara is gone, and I salute her.— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) May 24, 2015
We lost a queen today. pic.twitter.com/9j2rIlQUTU— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) May 25, 2015
with a heavy heart - she was so real http://t.co/nvpL3j1plW pic.twitter.com/FkT7t7wKjA— Rosie (@Rosie) May 24, 2015
I was lucky enough to know Anne Meara personally, and I'm very saddened by her passing. She was wonderful. Love to her family. #RIPAnne— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) May 24, 2015
Goodbye to half of the terrific comedy team Stiller and Meara . R.I.P. Anne Meara @STILLERandMEARA @RedHourBen— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) May 24, 2015
Additional reporting by The Associated Press