Terry Kiser (born August 1, 1939)[1] is an American actor. Besides 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 the now defunct acting school The Actors Arena in Austin, Texas.[2]
Early life and education
Kiser was born on August 1, 1939, in Elmhurst, Illinois.[3] He attended the University of Kansas on both football and dramatic scholarships. He graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering and worked for three years in this profession in Omaha.[4][5]
A few years later, on the advice of a drama teacher, he made the decision to quit engineering to pursue acting full-time and moved to New York City in 1965. He joined the Actors Studio and worked with Lee Strasberg.[citation needed]
After college, Kiser returned to his hometown Omaha and worked as an engineer for three years while acting in amateur productions; more than fifty plays. His first two years in New York City 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.[6][2]
Kiser starred in Weekend at Bernie's (1989), in the title role of Bernie Lomax, a 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 (1993). Since 2012, several YouTube videos featuring "The Bernie Dance" generated more than 17 million views collectively by April 2016. Other film appearances include Mannequin Two: On the Move (1991), Into the Sun (1992), The Pledge (2011), and A Christmas Tree Miracle (2013).
In 2013, Kiser moved to Austin, Texas, where he founded an acting school, The Actors Arena, which closed in 2016.[2] Instruction was open to students of all ages and experience levels, and served approximately 300 students during its three-year run.[citation needed]