Jerry Van Dyke, 'Coach' star, 86

BY RACHEL DeSANTIS
NEW YORK DAILYNEWS
"COACH" ACTOR Jerry Van Dyke, who emerged from the shadow of his older brother, Dick Van Dyke, to forge a successful acting career of his own, died Friday at his Arkansas home. He was 86. Van Dyke's wife, Shirley, told TMZ her husband's health had started to deteriorate after they were in a car accident two years ago. The Illinois native, who is also survived by two children, launched his comedy career by joining a touring ensemble in the Air Force. He began his television career after leaving the service, appearing on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" for a handful of episodes as Stacey Petrie, the younger brother of Dick's character, Rob Petrie. Series co-star Rose Marie died Dec. 28. In the 1960s, Jerry Van Dyke (photo inset) starred in two short-lived NBC sitcoms, "My Mother the Car," which ran from 1965 to 1966, and "Accidental Family," from 1967 to 1968. "I became known as the guy who did the worst show in the history of television," he said in 1993, joking about his time on "Mother." "At least it took the edge off being Dick Van Dyke's brother." While Jerry Van Dyke famously passed on starring in "Gilligan's Island" in favor of "Mother," he had stints on dozens of popular TV shows, including "The Ed Sullivan Show," "Charles in Charge," "The Love Boat," "My Name Is Earl" and "Yes, Dear." His best-known role came as Luther Van Dam on "Coach," alongside Craig T. Nelson. Van Dyke scored four Emmy nominations for the role as an assistant college football coach. With News Wire Services.³