Jerry Van Dyke

Jerry Van Dyke began his stand-up career while still in high school. The years following were not all that glamorous with a number of shows at venues that at first consisted of mainly dive bars but would turn into primary a round of strip clubs. He became a regular on the Playboy Club Circuit before finding his way to some of the top showrooms in Las Vegas Lake Tahoe, and Atlantic City. He had become quite a dependable opening act.

He joined the Air Force in '52 which should have put a halt to his career. However, he instead began performing in Special Services Shows, winning military talent contests and keeping his fellow troops laughing. Winning a military talent contest is actually what earned him a series of appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show". Thanks to his prior television exposure, he was given a regular role on "The Judy Garland Show". Around this time he also began hosting the television game show "Picture This".

Sadly, Van Dyke's career was not filled with good fortune. In the mid-'60s, he turned down the lead role in "Gilligan's Island" and instead chose to star in a similar role in "My Mother the Car". The decision would prove to be the wrong one. While "Gilligan's Island" became one of the most popular television series of all time, still being played decades later, "My Mother the Car" became known as one of the most lambasted sitcoms of all time. Jerry would follow that show up with more series that wouldn't make it out of the first season.

Good fortune smiled at Van Dyke a bit when he landed the role of Luther Van Dam on "Coach". He would end up earning four consecutive Emmy nominations and a steady part for eight seasons.

Van Dyke continues to make frequent television appearances as well as performing stand up at venues across the US. He has been the spokesperson for a number of products. Jerry has also appeared in a number of modern day sitcoms including "Yes, Dear", "My Name Is Earl", and "Raising Hope".