Father of Julie Paris and Tony Paris.
He directed 5 of the 158 episodes of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1961) after being hired as an actor to play next-door neighbor Jerry Helper, a dentist. He found he had a real gift for directing and went on to direct "Happy Days" (1974) and the pilot for "Laverne & Shirley" (1976).
His son Andrew Paris, is best known for his role as Bud Kirkland in the Police Academy movies.
There is some irony in Jerry Paris directing Henry Winkler as "The Fonz" in "Happy Days" (1974), Winkler's character deriving his style from Jerry and other Black Rebels Motorcycle Club members in The Wild One (1953).
Told Roger Ebert that his career as an actor was hampered by his great height, as he towered over most leading men.