Ben Stiller Donates His Parents Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara’s Comedy Archives to the National Comedy Center in New York

Ben Stiller has honored his legendary parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, by donating their vast career archive to the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, a museum dedicated to preserving the art and history of comedy. The donation aligns with the release of Ben Stiller’s new documentary, Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, which debuted on Apple TV+ on October 24, 2025, following its October 5 premiere at the New York Film Festival and a limited theatrical release on October 17.

The Stiller & Meara Archive spans more than five decades of comedy and love, filled with both professional and personal treasures that the couple carefully saved over the years. The materials include handwritten drafts of sketches performed on classic TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and The Carol Burnett Show. It also features notes from early improv sessions with Chicago’s Compass Players, as well as personal letters, photographs, and behind-the-scenes memorabilia documenting their journey as partners in both life and art.

In an official statement shared by the museum and reported by Variety and Forbes, Ben Stiller expressed what the donation means to him: “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. They would have been proud to know that their work will inspire and educate future generations.”

Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara’s partnership began in 1953, when they met in a New York City casting office. After an awkward encounter with an agent, Jerry comforted Anne over coffee, and they soon fell in love. The pair married a year later. Their union—he Jewish and she Irish Catholic—became one of the most celebrated creative and personal partnerships in entertainment. They gained national fame for their witty, relatable sketches on The Ed Sullivan Show, exploring love, culture, and relationships through humor.

Anne Meara’s career flourished beyond the duo’s performances. She earned four Emmy nominations, a Tony nomination in 1993, and a Writers Guild of America Award in 1984 for co-writing the television movie The Other Woman. Her notable television roles included Sally Gallagher in Rhoda and Veronica Rooney in Archie Bunker’s Place. Jerry Stiller also carved out a remarkable solo career, remembered for his iconic roles as Frank Costanza in Seinfeld, which earned him an Emmy nomination, and Arthur Spooner in The King of Queens. He also starred in Hairspray (1988) as Wilbur Turnblad and reprised a similar role in the 2007 remake.

The National Comedy Center, located in Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, is the first museum in the United States entirely devoted to comedy. Lucille Ball had envisioned a space that not only honored her legacy but also celebrated the entire art form. The museum features over 50 interactive exhibits that trace the history of comedy—from vaudeville to viral memes—and highlights legends like Lucille Ball, Charlie Chaplin, George Carlin, and Dave Chappelle.

Now, visitors will be able to explore Stiller and Meara’s archive alongside these icons. Artifacts from the collection will be integrated throughout the museum’s displays, offering fans and students of comedy an intimate look into how two brilliant performers shaped American humor for over half a century.