Anne Meara Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Anne Meara may be best known for her comedy performances with her fellow actor/husband Jerry Stiller. She had many appearances of her own.

Childhood And Early Life

Anne Meara was born on September 20, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York. Her parents Edward and Mary were both of Irish descent.  She lost her mother to suicide when Meara was 12 years old.

Education

Anne Meara was a drama student at HB Studio in Greenwich Village in New York City. She also attended the New School's Dramatic Workshop for a year when she was 18.

Career

Anne Meara was looking for a partner for a vaudeville act when she met Jerry Stiller at a talent agency.  In 1953 they found that they were a perfect match in comedy. The next year they were married. Meara was a member of the Compass Players. 

This improv theater group is the first of its kind in the United States. It later became known as The Second City.  The duo performed on television as Stiller and Meara. Their acts included frequent appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. 

When their variety act started to slow down, Anne Meara acted in television series.  She had recurring roles in the 1970s in Rhoda and Archie Bunker's Place.  She had her series in 1975 called Kate McShane. While she was nominated for an Emmy Award, the show was canceled after ten episodes. 

Anne Meara played the grandmother Dorothy Halligan in the TV show Alf and also wrote some of the episodes.  In the 1990s, she had a role in the television series Sex and the City as well as its movie version. In 1998 she also had a recurring role in the comedy show The King of Queens which also starred her husband, Stiller.

Anne Meara made her Broadway debut in the show “Miss Lonelyhearts” in 1957.  She appeared in “Eastern Standard” in 1989 and the revival of “Anna Christie” in 1993. Her lead role in “Anna Christie” earned her a Tony nomination. 

It was also in the theater where Meara made a name for herself as a playwright.  She wrote the comedy “After-Play” in 1995.  

Anne Meara was one of the stars and executive producers of the Stiller & Meara Yahoo! Web series from 2010 – 2011.

Later Life

Anne Meara remained active in comedy and acting up to her death.  She taught at her alma mater HB Studio in classes such as technique and scene study.  She also wrote her reflections in 2009 through the blog Mr. Beller's Neighborhood – New York City Stories.   

Personal Life And Legacy

Anne Meara married fellow actor Jerry Stiller in 1954.  The couple had two children.  Their son Ben Stiller and their daughter Amy Stiller are both actors. Anne Meara converted to Judaism after her marriage.

Anne Meara died on May 23, 2015, at the age of 85.

Awards And Achievements  

•Golden Globe nominee, Best Supporting Actress – Television, Rhoda, 1974
•Four-time Primetime Emmy Awards nominations including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Archie Bunker's Place, and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Homicide:  Life on the Street
• Writers Guild of America Award for TV, Original/Adapted Comedy Anthology, The Other Woman with Lila Garrett, 1984
• Star on the Walk of Fame – Television with Jerry Stiller, 2007
• Lifetime Achievement Award winner with Jerry Stiller, Made in NY Awards, 2012
• Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey City nominee, Best Actress in a Short, Simpler Times, 2016

Summary Of Major Works

Film
•    The Boys From Brazil (1978)
•    Fame (1980)
•    Awakenings (1990)
•    Zoolander (2001)
•    Crooked Lines (2003)
•    Sex and the City:  The Movie (2008)
•    Planes:  Fire & Rescue voice (2014)

Television
•    Kate McShane (1975)
•    Rhoda (1976-1977)
•    Archie Bunker's Place (1979-1982)
•    ALF (1987-1989)
•    Homicide:  Life on the Street (1996)
•    All My Children (1993-1998)
•    Sex and the City (2002-2004)
•    The King of Queens (1999-2007)

Theater
•    “Miss Lonelyhearts” (1957)
•    “Eastern Standard” (1989)
•    “Anne Christie” (1993)
•    “After-Play” playwright (1995)