Dick Van Dyke is a bona fide Hollywood legend, thanks to his decades-long career across television, film and theatre.
The 100-year-old actor stole viewers' hearts as chimney sweep Bert in Mary Poppins and eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
© Getty ImagesGiven his remarkable career, it may come as no surprise that Dick wasn't the only talented actor in the family. His younger brother, Jerry Van Dyke, also enjoyed a successful career in the entertainment industry.
Intrigued? Read on to find out more about Dick's younger brother, who sadly passed away in 2018 at the age of 86.
Meet Dick Van Dyke's brother Jerry
While his brother rose to international stardom, Jerry carved out a quieter but equally impressive career in acting.
After starting out in comedy and serving in the U.S. Air Force, Jerry made his acting debut on The Dick Van Dyke Show. He played Stacey Petrie, the younger sleepwalking brother of Rob Petrie, Dick's iconic character.
© Getty ImagesJerry later appeared in a string of smaller projects, including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Judy Garland Show and the game show Picture This. In 1965, he landed a leading role in fantasy sitcom My Mother the Car, although the series was poorly received by critics.
The performer's breakout role came in 1989 when he was cast as Luther Van Dam in Coach alongside Craig T. Nelson and Shelley Fabares. Appearing in nearly 200 episodes, Jerry earned multiple Emmy nominations for his performance.
One of his final screen roles came between 2010 and 2015 in The Middle, where he played Tag Spence opposite his onscreen brother Dutch Spence, played by Dick.
© Getty ImagesDick and Jerry's relationship
Speaking about their relationship, Jerry told Los Angeles Times: "I looked up to him as a kid."
The Middle co-creator Eileen Heisler explained why the brothers' dynamic worked so well on screen.
"We always sort of knew that Dick and Jerry had an old funny relationship. They are very different personalities. Our show is all about family dynamics. We wanted to make it a fun thing about a brothers' dynamic that didn't change no matter how old you are," she said.
© Getty ImagesSpeaking about their six-year age difference, Dick told the Los Angeles Times. "We were too far apart in age," he said. "We loved each other, but I was out of high school before he got in."
Jerry added: "We are becoming closer. I'm really getting to know him better at this age."
"It's because we have been working together more," added Dick.
When did Jerry pass away?
On 5 January 2018, Jerry died at the age of 86. He was survived by his wife, Shirley Ann Jones, and his two children, daughter Jerri Lynne and son Ronald, from his first marriage to Carol Johnson.
Remembering his late brother in 2015, Dick said at the Vandy High Tea: "Jerry was funny from the day he was born, he broke me up. I tried so hard to get him a series, but they wouldn't go for it."
© Getty ImagesRecalling one particularly memorable moment from their younger years, Dick shared: "It was out in the woods. It was a snowy day. It was about 30 degrees and we were just sitting on a lawn freezing to death waiting for this guy to signal us.
"And Jerry said something funny and I started to laugh, but our faces were frozen stiff. We couldn't have any expression, so we started laughing," he said. "It was the worst. God, we had tears running down our cheeks. I'll never forget it. It's the hardest I ever laughed in my life. He could make me laugh."
