Ben Stiller is honoring the comedic legacy of his parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, by donating their career archive to the National Comedy Center. This gesture is in preparation for the release of his documentary film, “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost,” which will be available on Apple TV. Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara were an iconic comedy duo whose career spanned five decades, bringing joy to audiences until their passing in 2020 and 2015, respectively.
The curated archive, which includes a rich collection of public and personal artifacts, showcases the couple’s journey from their early improv sessions at Chicago’s Compass Players to some of the nation’s most beloved television programs. Among the artifacts are love letters exchanged during their courtship, handwritten drafts of memorable sketches that made their way to shows like “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” and “The Carol Burnett Show.”
Ben Stiller expressed the significance of this donation, stating, “Knowing my parents’ body of work is preserved at the National Comedy Center means a great deal, because the material they left behind was not just a gift for my family, but for anyone who wants to understand comedy as a creative process.” He emphasized that his parents would have taken pride in seeing their legacy celebrated, offering inspiration and education to future generations.
Dr. Laura LaPlaca, head of the National Comedy Center’s archive, highlighted the extensive nature of the collection, stating that it contains tens of thousands of pages representing a remarkable body of work. She noted that while their comedy seemed organic, it was the result of meticulous editing over decades.
The archive donation coincides with the anticipated documentary, directed and produced by Ben Stiller, which explores the profound impact that his parents had on American comedy, both personally and professionally. The film premiered at the New York Film Festival on October 5 and is set to be released on Apple TV on October 26. Additionally, select pieces from the Stiller & Meara archive will be displayed at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, ensuring that their contributions to comedy continue to be celebrated.