Late American entertainer Jerry Van Dyke left a net worth of $20 million upon his demise. This whopping sum accrued from his endeavours as an actor and comedian.
Jerry started earning good money during his days as a high school student when he began performing as a stand-up comedian. From comedy, he joined television, marking the greatest milestone in his career. The Danville, Illinois native would go on to leave a big mark in Hollywood.
What was Jerry Van Dyke’s Net Worth?
According to trusted sources like Celebrity Net Worth, by the time he died on the 5th of January 2018, Jerry Van Dyke’s bottom line was reading a whopping $20 million. Even his widow, Shirley Ann Jones, can boast $25 million as her bottom line.
How Jerry Van Dyke’s Net Worth Accrued
Jerry Van Dyke is listed among the most successful entertainers of his time. The hilarious comedian achieved incredible feats in both TV and film and enjoyed great love from fans worldwide.
During his heyday in the entertainment industry, Jerry explored multiple avenues of making money. Though he earned the most significant share of his wallet from his career on television, the American entertainer owes a few digits of his net worth to movies, comedy, endorsements, and many more.
Jerry Van Dyke’s Career Started in Comedy
Jerry Van Dyke was still a high school student when the blossoming entertainer launched his career as a comedian. The stand-up comedian soon became an expert at places such as strip joints and nightclubs.
During the 1950s, Jerry became a member of the Tops in Blue – a popular group that toured and performed for the United States Air Force and also had gigs in military bases worldwide. As time rolled by, Jerry started working at WTHI-TV, located in Terre Haute, Indiana, US.
The veteran stand-up comedian left comedy at a point in his life but made a successful comeback in the 70s. The decade saw the comic star touring Playboy Clubs across America as well as headlining venues in major cities, including Milwaukee, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City.
Though he earned his first money in stand-up comedy, the real thing only started happening after he debuted on television.
His Greatest Career Success was Recorded on Television
Jerry Van Dyke already gained a remarkable level of fame in stand-up comedy, but television was what catapulted him to stardom.
In 1962, his big brother, Dick Van Dyke, cast him as Stacey Petrie on the set of his situational comedy, The Dick Van Dyke Show. Dick is still alive and as agile as ever at 96. With time, Jerry became big on the show as it became his major source of income.
Before the year ran out, the Danville, Illinois native started widening his horizon on the small screen by recording an appearance on the set of the anthology series entitled “GE True”, albeit in a single episode. This opened a floodgate of acting roles that saw him appearing in productions like The Ed Sullivan Show, The Garry Moore Show, The Andy Williams Show, and The Judy Garland Show.
His major acting role on TV was witnessed in the NBC fantasy situational comedy, My Mother the Car. He depicted the character of attorney Dave Crabtree in the short-lived series that aired from 1965 to 1966.
From 1967 to 1968, Jerry graced the screen on the set of the sitcom known as Accidental Family. His other appearances within that period were witnessed in TV shows like Good Morning World, Love, American Style, Gomer Pyle-USMC, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He showed up in two sitcoms in the 1970s, Headmaster and 13 Queens Boulevard.
During the 1980s, the American comedian showed up in shows like House Calls, Charles in Charge, and Newhart. Jerry Van Dyke was also part of the comedy miniseries titled Fresno. The veteran TV actor closed the decade by starring in what later became his longest-running role, the sitcom Coach as assistant coach Luther Van Dam.
The show ran for nine long seasons till 1997, making Jerry an Emmy nominee four consecutive times in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
After Coach had its complete run, Jerry starred in the fantasy situational comedies Teen Angel and You Wish. The sitcoms, The Middle and Yes, Dear featured him in recurring roles; the Middle proved to be his last TV appearance. When you consider the magnitude of his contributions on TV, you will believe that his biggest income came from there.
His Career in the Movies Took Off in 1963
Jerry Van Dyke was already one year into his television career when he debuted on the big screen. The year 1963 saw him join the cast of three movies, including the rom-com The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, the Western comedy entitled McLintock!, and the bedroom farce known as Palm Springs Weekend.
A couple of years down the line, Jerry joined the cast of the Ricky Nelson comedy called Love & Kisses. His next appearance on the big screen occurred in 1969, sharing the screen with Andy Griffith on the Angel in My Pocket set. From then on, he started making sporadic appearances, and one of his later roles was witnessed in Annabelle’s Wish – a direct-to-video animated Christmas movie where he lent his voice to Grandpa Charles Baker.
Though it has never been credited as his major income head, Jerry’s career in the movies did a lot for his bottom line.
Some Celebrity Endorsements Also Contributed to Jerry Van Dyke’s Net Worth
During the later part of his career in the entertainment industry, Jerry Van Dyke started scoring some juicy celebrity endorsements. This includes making appearances in commercials like the one he executed for Hardee’s fast-food restaurant chain.
There were also brands that hired the Danville, Illinois native’s services as a spokesperson. A good example is a retail chain called Big Lots. Though we don’t actually know exactly what portion of his net worth emanated from endorsements, Jerry tidied up a handsome amount from there.
Jerry Van Dyke also Invested in Real Estate
The exact worth of Jerry’s investments in real estate has never been stated. However, it is common knowledge that the American entertainer made extensive investments in a property before his demise. His Malvern, Arkansas residence alone measures 800 acres. He lived on the ranch with his spouse Shirley until his demise.
