Coach star Jerry Van Dyke dies at 86

The New York Times

Van Dyke emerged from his older brother Dick Van Dyke’s shadow to earn four Emmy nominations for his role on the long-running ABC sitcom Coach. “Everybody talks about me making a comeback,” he told Entertainment Tonight in 1990, one year after Coach premiered. “I say: ‘Comeback from what? This is as good as it’s ever been.’” Van Dyke also played his brother’s brother on a two-part episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show. In recent years, Van Dyke appeared on eight episodes of The Middle, playing the father of Patricia Heaton’s character. “I am incredibly sad to hear of Jerry’s passing,” said Coach star Craig T. Nelson. “He was such a brilliant comedian and we had a great time working together on Coach. It is just devastating news.” Heaton tweeted: “Jerry, you were hilarious and terrifically talented - what an honor to be able to watch up close as you and your brother create your special magic.” And The Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss noted that he had “the pleasure of working with him on my very first TV show back in ‘93. What a kind man…”