What was Anne Meara's Net Worth?
Anne Meara was an American actress and comedian who had a net worth of $12.5 million at the time of her death in 2015. Anne Meara was best known as one half of the 1960s comedy team Stiller and Meara with her husband Jerry Stiller. She also appeared on numerous television shows across six decades, with notable credits including "The Greatest Gift," "Rhoda," "Archie Bunker's Place," and "The King of Queens." On the big screen, Meara was in such films as "Fame," "Awakenings," "The Daytrippers," and "A Fish in the Bathtub." Jerry and Anne's son is Ben Stiller. Anne Meara died on May 23, 2015 at the age of 85. Jerry died almost exactly five years later, in May 2020.
Early Life and Education
Anne Meara was born on September 20, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York to Mary and Edward. An only child, she was brought up in Rockville Centre on Long Island. When Meara was 11, her mother killed herself. As a young adult, she studied acting at the New School and at HB Studio.
Stiller and Meara
Meara rose to fame performing alongside her husband Jerry Stiller in the comedy act Stiller and Meara. They formed the act after leaving the Compass Players improv group in Chicago, Illinois. Stiller and Meara went on to perform at nightclubs in New York, and soon gained national recognition. The duo's skits often focused on domestic themes and relatable relationship foibles. Following the breakup of Mike Nichols and Elaine May's comedy act in 1961, Stiller and Meara became the most popular comedy couple in the country. They were regular guests on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and also made numerous appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." Stiller and Meara released the hit LP "Presenting America's New Comedy Sensation: Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara Live at the Hungry I." Additionally, they did many radio commercials for Blue Nun Wine. The couple ended their act in 1970 because it was negatively impacting their marriage.
Television Career
Meara had her first television acting role from 1954 to 1955, playing Harriet on the daytime soap opera "The Greatest Gift." Her next substantial role was in the 1960 television film "Ninotchka," a remake of the Ernst Lubitsch film. Meara didn't act much on television during that decade; she returned in the early 70s to appear in episodes of "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," "Love, American Style," "The Paul Lynde Show," and "The Corner Bar." In 1975, Meara starred in the short-lived legal drama series "Kate McShane," for which she earned an Emmy Award nomination. Next, from 1976 to 1977, she played Sally Gallagher on the sitcom "Rhoda." Closing out the decade, Meara began one of her biggest roles: bar cook Veronica Rooney on the sitcom "Archie Bunker's Place," a continuation of "All in the Family." She remained on the show for its first three seasons through 1982.
After leaving "Archie Bunker's Place," Meara co-wrote the 1983 CBS television film "The Other Woman" with Lila Garrett. A few years after that, she co-wrote and performed on the short-lived "The Stiller and Meara Show." At the end of the 80s, Meara had a recurring role on the sitcom "ALF." She went on to appear in episodes of "Murder, She Wrote," "Monsters," "All My Children," "In the Heat of the Night," "Murphy Brown," "Homicide: Life on the Street," and "Oz," among other shows. Continuing into the 21s century, Meara played the recurring role of Veronica Olchin on the sitcom "The King of Queens" from 2003 to 2007. During that time, she starred in the television film "What Makes a Family" and appeared in episodes of "Will & Grace," "Sex and the City," and "Charlie Lawrence."
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Film Career
Meara first appeared on the big screen with small parts in the 1970 comedies "The Out-of-Towners" and "Lovers and Other Strangers." Following that, she had bigger roles in "Irish Whiskey Rebellion" and "Nasty Habits." Her final film role of the decade was in the 1978 science-fiction thriller "The Boys from Brazil." In 1980, Meara played English teacher Elizabeth Sherwood in the hit teen musical drama "Fame." Among her subsequent credits were "The Longshot," "My Little Girl," and "That's Adequate." Kicking off the 90s, Meara appeared in Penny Marshall's drama "Awakenings." She then appeared alongside her husband and son in the horror comedy "Highway to Hell," and alongside her son again in the romantic dramedy "Reality Bites." Meara's other notable credits in the 90s include "The Search for One-Eye Jimmy," "Kiss of Death," "The Daytrippers," "Southie," "Judy Berlin," and "A Fish in the Bathtub," costarring her husband.
Meara was in fewer feature films in the 2000s. Among her credits were "Like Mike," "Chump Change," and "Night at the Museum," starring her son. She also appeared in "Another Harvest Moon" and lent her voice to the animated sequel "Planes: Fire & Rescue," her final project. Meara also acted in a number of short films, including "The Yard Sale," "The Shallow End of the Ocean," "The Queen of Greenwich Village," and "Simpler Times."
Theater Career
Meara had a significant career in theater with roles in various Broadway and off-Broadway productions. In the 50s, she appeared in such plays as "A Month in the Country," "The Good Woman of Setzuan," and "As You Like It." After taking a break from the stage in the 60s, she came back in 1971 to play Bunny Flingus in "The House of Blue Leaves." In the 80s, Meara's credits were "A… My Name is Alice," "Romeo and Juliet," and "Eastern Standard." She also did playwriting, penning the 1995 Broadway comedy "After-Play," in which she starred as well. Meara's final theater credit, the off-Broadway play "Love, Loss and What I Wore," was in 2011.
Personal Life and Death
Meara was married to Jerry Stiller from 1954 until her passing. Together, they had two children, Ben and Amy. Meara converted to Judaism after getting married.
In May of 2015, Meara passed away at her home in Manhattan after having suffered numerous strokes. She was 85 years of age. Jerry died almost exactly five years later in May 2020, at the age of 92.
