Jerry Van Dyke said one of the roles that people remembered him best for was Stacey Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show

"I guess people do remember the good things," said Van Dyke

Everett Collection

Every younger sibling understands what it's like growing up in an older sibling's shadow. You spend your childhood in their hand-me-downs, and your adult life is spent being compared to them through everything. As siblings, you're tied together for the rest of your lives, no matter how hard you struggle.

The Van Dyke brothers were lucky enough to be two siblings who legitimately loved each other, both as brothers and costars. Both actors, Dick and Jerry appeared together in programs like The Dick Van Dyke Show. Jerry Van Dyke played Stacey Petrie, brother of Rob Petrie, played by Dick Van Dyke.

The role was Jerry Van Dyke's television debut, and it was a role that viewers remembered for years.

"You know, I guess people do remember the good things," said Van Dyke during an interview with The La Crosse Tribune. "Whenever I go on the road, I'm told 'We liked you on The Dick Van Dyke Show.' That was a two-parter four years ago. They have forgotten those other things."

By "those other things," Van Dyke seemed to refer to shows like My Mother the Car, a sitcom starring the actor that focused on the main character's mother living as a restored car. The series only lasted one season before its cancellation. Despite misgivings like these, Jerry Van Dyke always dreamt of being recognized for his work in television.

"One thing I've always wanted was to be known by my character's name," said Van Dyke during an interview with The Times. "That means you've made it. I did not want to be known as Jerry Van Dyke."

Of course, that dream came true when Van Dyke co-starred in the hit series, Coach. No longer was he simply Jerry Van Dyke, Dick's younger brother.

Now, when I walk down the street and people say, 'Hey, Luther!'" said Van Dyke. "It's unbelievable. It's a thrill. That's really what the whole thing is, a thrill."

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8 Comments

JHP 21 hours ago
Here I am , Mr. Critical

Stacy Petrie eps stunk!

And also on MTM
MrsPhilHarris 3 days ago
I wasn’t a fan of Stacy Petrie but I liked Luther on “Coach”.
Actually, I liked him on My Mother The Car...LOL!
I've never watched that show.
Bapa1 3 days ago
Was watching a movie on TCM this week called 'Palm Springs Weekend', a ton of classic tv stars in it, including Jerry Van Dyke. (Movie was pretty bad, but we had a good time pointing out all the actors).
MikefromJersey 3 days ago
On the Dick Van Dyke Show, the actors were constantly encouraged by Carl Reiner to share tales from
their own life for material. Jerry actually was a sleep walker who talked to people, and called
everyone Burford as on the two part episode.
Rob Petrie in many ways is the mirror image of Dick Van Dyke.
Later this year life long gym rat Dick will be 100.
Write to him care of his book publisher, he will send you an autographed photo.
JHP MikefromJersey 21 hours ago
I really liked DVD on Columbo (esp his secretary - YUM!)
MikefromJersey JHP 20 hours ago
When he first started playing bad guys it was hard to accept. To me he was always
Rob Petrie or Burt the chimney sweep from when I was younger, to see him as a bad
guy took awhile.
I recommend DVD fans check out his spoken word autobiography.
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