The Laughter Lives On: In tribute to Anne Meara
When comic legend Anne Meara passed away this last weekend, a number of entertainment news outlets referred to her in their headlines as “Ben Stiller’s mother.” And while I’m sure that Meara would take great pride in this title, it hardly does justice to the comic, actress, writer and producer whose career lasted more than 60 years.
Beyond being a funny lady, Meara was an inspirational one. According to an obituary published at Jezebel.Com, “In 1975, she starred in CBS’ Kate McShane which, though short-lived, had the distinction of being the first network drama to feature a woman lawyer.” And, according to IMDB, she and co-writer Lila Garrett won a Writers Guild of America honor for co-writing the TV movie, The Other Woman. She scored a number of Emmy and Golden Globe nominations during her career, and shares a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with husband Jerry Stiller.
As one half of an iconic comedy team that also included Stiller, this redheaded fireball made audiences roar in an act that was billed — never as Mr. and Mrs. Stiller — but as Stiller and Meara. From the stages of The Ed Sullivan Show, The Johnny Carson Show , or What’s My Line? to their hosting duties at HBO’s Free Preview Weekend events, their own Yahoo! web series, and even public service announcements to promote the cause of environmental clean up, these two laughed and joked their way into our hearts.
Meara also played important roles on classic feminist sitcoms ranging from Rhoda to Murphy Brown and Sex and the City. She appeared in television versions of classic theatrical works such as Paddy Chayefsky’s The Mother. On the big screen, she shone in femme-centric indie favorites like The Daytrippers and Judy Berlin. She also appeared in cinematic favorites like Awakenings and Zoolander (directed by and starring her son, Ben), and in the cult woman-centered comedy Nasty Habits, also starring Glenda Jackson, Melina Mercouri, Geraldine Page, and Sandy Dennis.
In her own gentle, funny, understated way, Anne Meara blazed trails for women in comedy and the arts. Her laughter, and her legacy, will live on.
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