First time I remember seeing Fred was as part of an improvisational group on either a variety or talk show. They did a sketch about mutineering oarsmen on a Viking ship. Disorganized and going nowhere, they eventually brainstormed and got the drum guy to set the beat. Ended up as they were originally and they were happy. Cracked me up. RIP to someone who extended my life through laughter.
RIP. Had no idea he was anywhere near that old. The first thing I remember him from was Silver Streak:
One of the funniest of all time. My favorite Fred Willard role is 'Salem's Lot from 1979,probably my first exposure to him. Not a comedy by any stretch, and his whole demeanor is totally different from his later comedic work. I recently watched a couple episodes he did on Bold and the Beautiful from 2014. RIP.
That is very sad. I've always thought he was genuinely funny in everything he did going back a very long time. Can't say that about many. A real loss.
Jamie Lee Curtis, Steve Carell and More Hollywood Stars Pay Tribute to "Incomparable" Fred Willard Fred Willard Remembered by Hollywood: ‘You Were Funny in Your Bones’ – Variety
Loved him. Waiting for Guffman I'm also fondly remembering Roseanne. Fred and Martin Mull were gold together
Damn!! I often forget how old many of my favorite performers are. When I hear Fred mentioned, I immediately picture him as Jerry Hubbard on Fernwood/America 2 Night from 1977-78, over 40 years ago! Fred/Jerry made me laugh...a lot! R.I.P.
I've been a huge fan since Fernwood Tonight. What made his work in Best in Show so amazing to me was that he ad libbed all the dog show commentary in an empty arena. The dog show was filmed separately. I will miss him.
You're right! Should have said, "Younger folks may not know about the brilliant character Jerry Hubbard from the short-lived 70s TV talk show parody, 'Fernwood Tonight'. Willard played the dimwitted sidekick to Martin Mull's "host" character, Barth Gimble."
