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Jerry Van Dyke

For decades, actor and comedian Jerry Van Dyke was largely relegated to footnote status in the annals of entertainment history. He was the younger brother of Dick Van Dyke, and for most of his early career, endured a string of failed television jobs, including the notorious "My Mother the Car" (NBC, 1965-66), which many went on to credit as the worst series ever made. However, his fortunes rebounded in the late 1980s when he was cast as the befuddled Luther Van Dam on "Coach" (ABC, 1989-1997), which earned him four Emmy nominations, as well as long-overdue respect from the industry. While his five-decade career may have had its share of ups and downs, Van Dyke weathered it with good humor, which, in the end, proved to be his lasting legacy. Jerry Van Dyke died at his ranch near Malvern, Arkansas on January 5, 2018. He was 86.