Jerry Van Dyke has died aged 86

His wife Shirley, who was with him when he passed away, said his health had been deteriorating ever since they were involved in a car accident a couple of years ago, TMZ reports.

Van Dyke was born in Danville, Illinois to his stenographer mother and salesman father. He kept with his stand up comedy career throughout school before joining the United States Air Force Tops In Blue in the 1950s. Even during his service to the country, he performed his jokes and entertainment routines, keeping everyone laughing despite the adversities.

On his return, he started to do guest appearances on The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Ed Sullivan Show. He was also made a regular on The Judy Garland Show as well as a string of supporting movie roles and stints in television series including 'My Mother the Car', 'Accidental Family' and 'Coach', for which he received four Emmy nominations.

In his personal life, Van Dyke married twice. He had three children with his first wife Carol - his daughters Jerri Lynn and Kelly Jean and son Ronald. His daughter Kelly Jean tragically passed away in 1991. Jerry lived with his wife Shirley in Malvern, Arkansas on their 800-acre ranch.