A close friend and an extremely talented & funny man, I worked with many, many times, has passed. I’ll miss you, Fred. Fred Willard, 'Best in Show' and 'A Mighty Wind' Actor, Dead at 86
Fred Willard, the prolific comic actor and master of the mockumentary genre who stood out in ensemble comedies like Best in Show, For Your Consideration and This Is Spinal Tap, has died at the age of 86. Willard’s rep Glenn Schwartz confirmed his death to Rolling Stone, adding that the cause of death was natural causes. Willard’s daughter Hope Mulbarger added in a statement, “My father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old. He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end.We loved him so very much! We will miss him forever.” Jamie Lee Curtis, wife of Willard’s longtime director Christopher Guest, first shared news of the actor’s death. “How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard’s gifts,” Curtis tweeted. “He is with his missed Mary now. Thanks for the deep belly laughs Mr. Willard.” Willard’s wife of 40 years, Mary, died in 2018. Willard is best known for his work in Guest’s comedies — Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, For Your Consideration and A Mighty Wind — as well as scene-stealing moments in This Is Spinal Tap, Anchorman, Austin Powers and Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle With hundreds of credits over an acting career that spanned over 50 years, Willard built a reputation where he could pop up in any setting — sitcoms (New Girl, Community), cartoons, late-night TV, offbeat comedies (Tim & Eric, Comedy Bang! Bang!, I Think You Should Leave), reality television (The Bachelor and The Bachelorette), game shows, commercials, even soap operas (an Emmy-nominated turn on The Bold and the Beautiful) — and it was not out of character. Willard will appear posthumously in the upcoming Netflix satirical series Space Force. Fred Willard, 'Best in Show' and 'A Mighty Wind' Actor, Dead at 86
Rest easy Mr. Willard and thanks for all of the LMAO moments you provided that was just one of your many thespian qualities.
Fred was always great on Everybody Loves Raymond as well. A lot of great guest movie and television appearances and supporting roles over the years.
With Happy Kine and the Mirth Makers. Just saw him appear in the newly released "Have A Good Trip" on Netflix. Sigh...another great one gone.
