Jerry Van Dyke, Dick's Younger Brother, Dies At 86

HOT SPRINGS, AR – Jerry Van Dyke, the rubber-faced comic who escaped the shadow of his famous older brother Dick Van Dyke with a breakout role on the hit ABC sitcom "Coach," died Friday at his ranch in Arkansas. He was 86.

His death was first reported by TMZ, which said that he died at his home in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The news outlet says that Van Dyke's wife, Shirley, told them that his health had been deteriorating since a car accident two years ago.

Van Dyke's famous older brother, Dick, visited him over the Christmas holiday, according to TMZ.

Van Dyke started out a as a stand-up comic and then moved on to parts in the still-news business of television. He appeared on both the "Ed Sullivan Show" and the "Judy Garland Show."

He also had a regular role on his brother's "Dick Van Dyke Show," appearing as Dick's younger brother.

Van Dyke had a career that spanned more than 50 years – including nine years playing the sidekick, assistant coach to Craig T. Nelson's head coach on Coach. He was nominated four times for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his work.

He may be most remembered for having turned down one of the most iconic roles in television – that of Gilligan on "Gilligan's Island." He said it was the only job that he ever turned down.

He also starred in a series considered one of the worst series ever to make it on the air for a season – "My Mother the Car." The premise was that Van Dyke's character buys a 1928 Porter touring car that turns out to be a reincarnation of his dead mother.

Van Dyke's death comes one week after that of one of his co-stars on his brother's show, Rose Marie.

Photo of Van Dyke via Gabe Palacio/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images.