Actress Anne Meara, wife of Jerry Stiller and mother of Ben and Amy Stiller, is dead at 85

NEW YORK, May 24 (UPI) -- Beloved comic actress Anne Meara has died at the age of 85, her family announced Sunday.

The native New Yorker is best known as one half of the comedy team Stiller & Meara, along with her husband Jerry Stiller, as well as a cast member of the TV sitcom Archie Bunker's Place. In recent years, she has made numerous TV guest spots and appeared in her son Ben Stiller's movies, such as Night at the Museum and Zoolander.

Her family confirmed her death to People magazine, but did not specify the cause.

"The Stiller family is deeply saddened to share the beloved Anne Meara passed away last night at the age of 85," the family said in a statement Sunday.

"She is survived by her husband and partner in life, Jerry Stiller," the message continued. "The two were married for 61 years and worked together almost as long. Anne's memory lives on in the hearts of daughter Amy, son Ben, her grandchildren, her extended family and friends, and the millions she entertained as an actress, writer and comedienne."

Steve Martin, Rosie O'Donnell and Michael McKean were among the first celebrities to pay tribute to Meara.

"Stiller and Meara have been a wonderful presence in comedy my whole life. Now Anne Meara is gone, and I salute her," Martin tweeted.

"with a heavy heart - she was so real," O'Donnell said in her own Twitter post.

"I always loved Anne Meara: funny forever, a terrific actress, & a really fine human being. RIP," said McKean.

Stiller and Meara have been a wonderful presence in comedy my whole life. Now Anne Meara is gone, and I salute her.

— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) May 24, 2015

with a heavy heart - she was so real http://t.co/nvpL3j1plW pic.twitter.com/FkT7t7wKjA

— Rosie (@Rosie) May 24, 2015

I always loved Anne Meara: funny forever, a terrific actress, & a really fine human being. RIP

— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) May 24, 2015