Though currently retired, we learn in \"The Understudy\" that Frank once worked as a salesman selling Christian artifacts and that he is fluent in Korean. When Seinfeld producers approached Jerry Stiller to play the father of George Costanza, the … [19][20] For his portrayal of Frank, Stiller gained widespread critical and popular acclaim, including being nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 1997 and winning an American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series in 1998. Judge Arthur Vandelay had to break up the argument. Frank is an exceptionally good chef (he spent time as an Army cook with the "Fighting 103rd" during the Korean War), as long as he can overcome his fears of accidentally poisoning people with his cooking (which showed the rebuttal in "The Fatigues", in which he destroyed his food after seeing Elaine Benes' co-worker at the J. Peterman Catalog, Eddie Sherman, choking). Each episode was about two minutes long. 0 0. shamboard. Family Christian relic salesmanUnited States Chef during the Korean War He invented an alternative to Christmas known as Festivus, due to his disgust with the commercialism of Christmas and his dislike of tinsel decorations, which was featured in "The Strike". [23] He also made several appearances on the game show, Tattletales, with his wife, Anne Meara. Lloyd Braun is his childhood nemesis whom George feels was the son his parents always wanted. Anonymous. Portrayed by He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. George often claims that his difficult childhood w… They also starred in their own syndicated five-minute sketch comedy show on radio, Take Five with Stiller and Meara, from 1977 to 1978.[17]. They have two children. Veteran actor and comedian Jerry Stiller has died of natural causes, aged 92. Frank's several flaws include a paralyzing fear of mice, rats and other forms of household infestation. “That is where a lot of [Frank Costanza’s] internal rage would come from,” Alexander said, chuckling. The Finale Frank Costanza portrayed by John Randolph. Stiller had a recurring role on the series as the outspoken Frank Costanza, the father of Jason Alexander’s George Costanza. This we’re sure of. Starting in October 2010, Stiller and Meara began starring in Stiller & Meara, a Yahoo web series from Red Hour Digital in which they discussed current topics. The George Costanza method was detailed in “The Opposite,” a season-five episode of Seinfeld. [15], The comedy team Stiller and Meara, composed of Stiller and his wife, Anne Meara, was successful throughout the 1960s, with numerous appearances on television variety programs, primarily on The Ed Sullivan Show. Stiller saw a late-career resurgence starting in 1993, playing George Costanza's father Frank on the sitcom Seinfeld, a part which earned him an Emmy nomination. The two are nearing the cusp of a bitter, impossibly loud marriage. They also said in numerous interviews that George was "half-Jewish," implying that Frank was not. [2][3], The eldest of four children,[4] Stiller was born at Unity Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, to Bella (née Citron; 1902–1954) and William Stiller (1896–1999), a taxi and bus driver. "Jerry started us being a comedy team," she said. Intelligencer George Costanza Father. "Jerry Stiller received awards for comedic talent during time as SU student", "Jerry Stiller, 'Seinfeld' and 'Hairspray' Actor and Comedian, Dies at 92", "Anne Meara, Comedian and Actress, Dies at 85", "Jerry Stiller, 'Seinfeld' Actor and Father of Ben Stiller, Dies at 92", "Jerry Stiller Once Told Us How the Real Frank Costanza Was Born in the Middle of a Seinfeld Scene", "King of Queens cast prepares to say farewell", "CBS PRESS EXPRESS WHEN CARRIE PUTS ON A COUPLE OF EXTRA POUNDS, DOUG", "STILLER AND MEARA RECEIVE STAR ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME", "Introducing ... Festivus Appreciation Day", "Actress and Comedian Anne Meara, Mother of Ben Stiller, Dies at 85", "Ladies and Gentlemen, Give It Up for, er ... Ben Stiller's Sister! https://seinfeld.fandom.com/wiki/Frank_Costanza?oldid=29157. The comedian found fame in 1993 as short-tempered Frank Costanza, the dad of George Costanza in Seinfeld, playing the role until 1998. Shortly after news of Stiller’s death broke, Jason Alexander, who played George Costanza on the famous show, posted a tribute to the man who played his on-screen father. At the end of the episode, during the credits, Frank goes to Tuscany to meet his supposed cousin. Gender Not surprising since he is based on real-life funnyman and Seinfeld co-creator Larry David.There’s also no doubt the character of George Costanza would be tickled pink if he knew there were Instagram fan accounts and entire corners of the internet devoted to him. He reacts violently if someone asks him to take off his shoes (on more than one occasion, George mentions that he wears them in the pool) because he believes that his feet have bad odor. The year Seinfeld went off the air, Stiller began his role as the eccentric Arthur Spooner on the CBS comedy series The King of Queens, another role which garnered him widespread acclaim. Stiller said that this role tested his acting ability more than any other had, and that, before being a part of The King of Queens, he only saw himself as a "decent actor."[22]. The duo had their own 1986 TV sitcom, The Stiller and Meara Show, in which Stiller played the deputy mayor of New York City and Meara portrayed his wife, a TV commercial actress. But his most memorable character to date, bar none, number one with a bullet, was on Seinfeld, portraying George Costanza’s loud, opinionated, quick-tempered father, Frank. He will be greatly missed. Late in his career, Stiller earned the part of the short-tempered Frank Costanza, father of George Costanza, on the sitcom Seinfeld, a role which Stiller played from 1993 until 1998. Retired A longtime actor and comedian, Stiller was best known for his portrayal of Frank Costanza on NBC's Seinfeld. His hobbies include listening to Latin American music on vinyl records, collecting issues of TV Guide and playing pool. Jason Alexander was born on September 23, 1959 in Newark, New Jersey, USA as Jason Scott Greenspan. However, Kevin James asked him to join the cast of The King of Queens. [29] He has two grandchildren through Ben. He also performed voice-over work for television and films including The Lion King 1½ and Planes: Fire and Rescue. The gallery page for Frank Costanza can be found here. Stiller later appeared in cameos for in-concert films for the band's 2007–08 Snakes & Arrows Tour. Frank and George have an estranged relationship and do not get along at all. Although viewers can at least see Philip Bruns as Jerry's dad in reruns, John Randolph's scenes as Frank Costanza were re-shot with Jerry Stiller for syndication. Sons: George Costanza & Unnamed SonCousin: CarloNiece: Shelly. 4 years ago. Stiller performed in a comedy duo with wife Anne Meara and appeared in films and on Broadway and television. 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