Terry Kiser is an American actor. He is known for portraying the deceased title character of the comedy Weekend at Bernie's and its sequel, Weekend at Bernie's II. He has more than 140 acting credits to his name, with a career spanning more than 50 years. He is the co-founder of an acting school in Austin, Texas, "The Actors Arena".
Early life and education
Kiser was born on August 1, 1939 in Elmhurst, Illinois, and was raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended the University of Kansas, where he received a football scholarship. He graduated in 1962 with a degree in industrial engineering. Returning to Omaha, he worked as an engineer for three years while acting on the side. During these years, Kiser acted as an amateur in more than 50 plays. On the advice of a drama teacher, he made the decision to pursue acting full-time and moved to New York City in 1965. He joined the Actors Studio and worked with Lee Strasberg.
Career
Kiser's first two years in New York included an array of small parts, ranging from theater to television to commercials. By 1967, Kiser gained significant recognition for his work, winning both an Obie Award and Theater World Award for Fortune and Men's Eyes. Becoming a life member of The Actors Studio, Kiser was a regular on several soap operas, The Secret Storm and The Doctors. In 1978, he starred on the short-lived sitcoms The Roller Girls, and Sugar Time!. It was during the 1970s and early 1980s that Kiser appeared in Three's Company, One Day At A Time, The Love Boat, Night Court, 227, Maude and The Golden Girls. One of his roles was on the TV drama Hill Street Blues, where he played comedian Vic Hitler. He was a cast member on the syndicated sketch comedy showOff the Wall and a part of the ensemble on Carol Burnett's Carol & Company, which aired in 1990. In the 1990s, he appeared on Walker, Texas Ranger, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, ' and Will & Grace. His film appearances include Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider, Rich Kids, Steel, An Eye for an Eye, Making Love, Six Pack, ', Surf II, From a Whisper to a Scream and '. Kiser is best known for starring in Weekend at Bernie's, in the title role of Bernie Lomax, the corrupt insurance executive who is dead for most of the film. Bernie's young employees, played by Jonathan Silverman and Andrew McCarthy, attempt to convince people that Bernie is still alive. He reprised the role in Weekend at Bernie's II. Since 2012, several YouTube videos featuring "The Bernie Dance" generated more than 17 million views collectively by April 2016. Other film appearances include ', Into the Sun, The Pledge, and A Christmas Tree Miracle. In the early 2010s Kiser began work on The Accidental President, which led to his participation in the second season of Johnny Dynamo. That show was followed with Kiser's lead role in the feature The Body Sculptor as Dr. Jason Stone. The film was scheduled for completion and release in 2016. In 2013, Kiser moved to Austin, Texas, where, with his partner, actress Joy Leigh, he co-founded an acting school, The Actors Arena. Instruction is open to students of all ages and experience levels. In mid-2016 Kiser moved back to his ranch in Colorado.
