Jerry Stiller left some of his fortune to his former employees.
Jerry Stiller
The late comedy legend – who died last May aged 92 – had divided most of his $5 million estate among his family, including his children Ben and Amy, but had also designated some sums to be given to staff members and several New York charitable organisations.
According to the New York post newspaper, Jerry’s will – which was dated March 2010 and filed in Manhattan Surrogate’s court in September – saw him leave $150,000 to his long-term personal assistant “in recognition of her exceptional services toward enhancing the professional careers of myself and my wife for many years.”
Money was also left to his since-deceased housekeeper.
The ‘King of Queens’ star also donated $25,000 to his former college, Syracuse University, to subsidise productions in the theatre department, and $10,000 to The Actors Fund of America to fund nursing and retirement homes in New Jersey.
And Jerry also left money for the Henry Street Playhouse – which is now known as the Abrons Arts Center – and the Boys & Girls republic, a youth scheme run out of the Henry Street Settlement in New York.
A spokesperson said: “Jerry Stiller was certainly a beloved member of the Henry Street family, who got his start on the stage of what is now our Abrons Arts Center.
“He always spoke very fondly of the Settlement!”
Most of the items that made up the ‘Seinfeld’ star’s estate, including cars, artwork, furniture, jewellery and clothing, were left to Jerry’s wife, Anne Meara, but she passed away in 2015, and so the document stated they should then be passed down to the couple’s two children.
Jerry’s grandchildren, his sister, and niece and nephew were also listed as beneficiaries.