Anne Christie

Anne Meara was an American actress, comedian, and playwright born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1929. She began her acting career in summer stock after studying at the Dramatic Workshop and HB Studio. Meara first gained prominence in the 1960s as one half of the popular comedy team Stiller and Meara, alongside her husband Jerry Stiller. Their act, which often touched on domestic themes and sometimes played on their differing religious backgrounds (Stiller Jewish, Meara Catholic), became a "national phenomenon." They were frequent guests on television shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show. Meara also pursued a solo career, appearing in numerous films, television series such as "Rhoda" and "Archie Bunker's Place," and on stage. She was nominated for multiple awards, including Emmy Awards and a Tony Award, and won a Writers Guild Award for her work on the television movie "The Other Woman." Later in her career, she also became a playwright, writing the comedy "After-Play." Meara passed away in 2015 at the age of 85.

Born Anne Meara in Brooklyn, New York, on September 20, 1929, she was of Irish descent. Her early life was marked by tragedy when her mother died by suicide when Anne was eleven. Raised in Rockville Centre, New York, she later pursued acting studies in Manhattan at the Dramatic Workshop and HB Studio. Meara began her professional acting career in summer stock in 1948. Her formative experiences, including her mother's death and her Catholic upbringing, would later inform her writing and personal reflections.

Meara met Jerry Stiller in 1953, and they soon married, forming the celebrated comedy duo Stiller and Meara. Initially hesitant about comedy, Meara found her niche with Stiller, who encouraged her talent. They honed their improvisational skills with The Compass Players before becoming a nationally recognized act. Their routines often explored relationship dynamics and domestic life, drawing comparisons to Nichols and May but noted for their warmth. They also incorporated their interfaith background into their act, highlighting Stiller's Jewish heritage and Meara's Catholic upbringing. By the late 1960s, they were a leading comedy couple, appearing frequently on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and releasing a hit live album.

After disbanding their comedy act in the 1970s to preserve their marriage, Meara continued a successful career in television, stage, and film. She starred in her own series, "Kate McShane," earning an Emmy nomination, and had recurring roles in popular shows like "Rhoda" and "Archie Bunker's Place." Meara also appeared in films such as "The Boys from Brazil" and "Fame." In her later years, she was a regular on "The King of Queens" and had guest spots on "Sex and the City" and "Law & Order: SVU." Transitioning into writing, she penned the off-Broadway play "After-Play" and shared personal reflections in an online blog, touching upon her childhood and conversion to Judaism.

Raised Roman Catholic, Anne Meara underwent a significant spiritual transformation when she converted to Judaism six years after marrying Jerry Stiller. She emphasized that this decision was personal, stating, "Catholicism was dead to me," rather than a concession to her husband. Her deep commitment to studying Judaism was so profound that Jerry Stiller humorously noted her conversion had made him "more Jewish." Meara and Stiller had two children, Amy and Ben. She passed away in Manhattan in 2015 at the age of 85, following several strokes.

“Jerry started us being a comedy team.”

“He always thought I would be a great comedy partner.”

“They were Nichols and May without the acid and with warmth.”

“I didn't know where the act ended and our marriage began.”

“I would have lost her as a wife.”