Comedian Jerry Stiller, father of Ben Stiller, dies aged 92

The actor died from from natural causes, his family announced

Actor Jerry Stiller has died of natural causes aged 92. Getty Images

Amy and Ben Stiller pose for pictures at a ceremony where their parents Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara are honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2007. Reuters

US actor Jerry Stiller and wife Anne Meara arrive for the LA film premiere of US director John Hamburg's film 'I Love You, Man' in Westwood, Los Angeles, California, USA, 17 March 2009. EPA

Jerry Stiller and Ben Stiller attend the performance of 'The Gin Game' on June 4, 1978 at the Martin Beck Theatre in New York City. Getty Images

Estelle Harris as Estelle Costanza, Jason Alexander as George Costanza, Jerry Stiller as Frank Costanza in Seinfeld. Getty Images

Actors William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Judith Ivey, Harvey Keitel, Cynthia Nixon, Jerry Stiller and Christopher Walken of Broadway play 'Hurlyburly'. Getty Images

Husband and wife comedy team: Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. Getty Images

F. Murray Abraham and Jerry Stiller in 'The Ritz' 1976. Warner Bros

Comedian and actor Jerry Stiller attends the Henri Bendel Celebrates The Work Of Illustrator Al Hirschfeld on November 14, 2013 in New York City. Getty Images

Jerry Stiller gives US actress Lorraine Bracco a kiss as they arrive at Madison Square Garden for the Barbra Streisand concert, 28 September 2000, in New York City. AFP

Jerry Stiller and wife Anne Meara with their two children, Amy and Ben, in 1978. Reuter

Anne Meara with her husband Jerry Stiller and Vincent Pastore at the New York Friar's Club Roast of Rob Reiner. The roast was presented by Comedy Central in October 2000. Getty Images

Jerry and Ben Stiller talk during the New York Yankees MLB American League baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium in New York, August 17, 2008. Reuters

Comedian Jerry Stiller has died aged 92, his family have announced.

“I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes," Ben Stiller, his actor son, wrote on Twitter on Monday, May 11.

"He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad.”

Stiller was married to actress Anne Meara from 1954 until her death in 2015. The couple had two children, who are both actors, Ben and Amy Stiller. The couple also made up a comedy team, starring on 1960s and 1970s television variety programmes.

From the 1990s, he was best known for his roles in TV comedies Seinfeld and The King of Queens. 

Stiller also had a successful movie career, often starring alongside son Ben. The duo appeared in together in Zoolander (1 and 2), The Heartbreak Kid, Heavyweights and Hot Pursuit. His final role was in 2016's Zoolander 2. 

Tributes are flooding in for Stiller.

Comedian Christopher Titus wrote that he was in tears following the news of the actor's death.

Good Day Alabama anchor Mike Dubberly wrote of Stiller: "A brilliantly, funny man. As a fan of Seinfeld, I keep some of his lines in my recall-repertoire. RIP and long live Festivus for the Rest of Us." Festivus references the non-commercial, non-religious alternative holiday to Christmas, which his character championed in Seinfeld. 

Science writer Ketan Joshi wrote to Ben Stiller: "He was a wonderful man and a brilliant actor. Love to you and your family."

Filmmaker Michael Matteo Rossi wrote: "I'm so so sorry for your loss Ben; he was a talented man and my condolences to you and your family."