Jerry Cunliffe

Jerry Owen Cunliffe, 78, passed away on 8/12/2013.

An actor, Jerry lived in the same Thompson Street apartment in "The Village" for almost 60 years.

Jerry was born in Chicago on May 16, 1935, the third son of musician Richard "Dick" Cunliffe and Adele (Wartenburg) Cunliffe. Dick Cunliffe played with the Ted Weems big band from 1925 to 1940, was a staff musician at the CBS affiliate in Chicago, and commercial jingle writer for Wrigleys.

Little did Jerry know when he entered the University of Chicago as a 15 year old freshman that he would fall in with an amazing and inspiring theatrical group that included Mike Nichols and Elaine May. Like Nichols, Jerry dropped out college to follow his passion. He joined Chicago's improvisational movement at Paul Sill's Playrights Theater at Second City. There he shared the stage with future stars Nichols, May, Barbara Harris, Ed Asner, Alan Arkin, and Avery Schrieber. It was at Playrights that Jerry first met long time friend Tom O'Horgan who composed music for the theater.

In 1954, Jerry moved to New York where he did some shows out of town and Off-Broadway. He ran into O'Horgan often and eventually he joined Tom's adventures in experimental theater with Ellen Stewart's La MaMa Troupe. Among his credits were the title role in Paul Foster's "Tom Paine", and the on stage and movie productions of Rochelle Owen's controversial and thought provoking show, "Futz". Being a La MaMa trouper, was the best of times for Jerry as he enjoyed a rich and rewarding life performing with them all over American and Europe.

While acting in New York, Jerry also worked as a waiter in the popular Trattoria Da Alfredo restaurant and in his later years was an magazine editor with Harris Publishing until he retired in 1997. Besides theater he was a big fan of opera and classical music.

Jerry was preceded by brothers Richard A., C. Thomas, and sister Dawn Cunliffe. He is survived by brothers John of Felton, CA, Paul of Iowa City, IA, sisters Judy Short of San Diego, CA and Jill Millhouse of Galena, IL as well as nephew Charles of Dubuque, IA and nieces Victoria Daniel of Chicago, IL, Leslie Hall of Anchorage, AK, and Christine Freese of East Dubuque, IL.

Anyone wishing to donate money in Jerry's name, please keep the spirit of experimental theater alive by donating to La MaMa at lamama.org