Vale: Fred Willard
Fred Willard, best known for mockumentary, Modern Family & Everybody Loves Raymond, has died.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News, Top Stories
US comedy actor Fred Willard, best known for mockumentary, Modern Family and Everybody Loves Raymond, has died aged 86.
He died of natural causes.
“My father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old,” his daughter, Hope, said in a statement. “He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end. We loved him so very much! We will miss him forever.”
Willard was renowned for his many zany roles in Christopher Guest’s films, alongside Michael McKean, Catherine O’Hara, Harry Shearer and Eugene Levy, including This Is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind.
On Everybody Loves Raymond, he portrayed Hank MacDougall, Robert’s conservative father-in-law, followed by Frank Dunphy, Phil’s dad in Modern Family.
Other notable TV credits include Back to You, The Bold and the Beautiful, Mad About You and Roseanne.
He also has in a recurring role as Steve Carell’s dad on the upcoming Netflix series Space Force.
Source: TV Line
3 Responses
Another amazingly talented funny actor gone too soon just like Jerry Stiller a few days before. They are all leaving us unfortunately. Loved him 😰💖😁 RIP
He had a very natural and wry comedic style. He was often the MVP in those ensemble films and certainly enhanced those sitcoms he guest starred in and was Emmy nominated for. His pairing with Ty Burrell was inspired and their scenes together were so sweet, testament to Fred’s ability to walk into an established show and carve out a distinct and memorable character even just with one or two per season. He will be missed.
He was also a recurring guest voice on King of the Hill