Things We Saw Today: RIP Comedy Legend Fred Willard

Veteran character actor and comedy legend Fred Willard has passed away from natural causes at the age of 86. Willard was a comedy mainstay, perhaps best known for his appearances in the films of Christopher Guest, such as Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind.

Willard also earned plenty of fans from his work on the cult television comedy Fernwood 2 Night, as well as his recurring role as Phil Dunphy’s father on Modern Family. Willard will also appear posthumously in the upcoming Netflix comedy series Space Force.

Fred Willard excelled in playing over-confident doofuses completely lacking in self awareness. He was the kind of actor that viewers were always delighted to see onscreen. If Fred Willard walked into frame, you just new you were going to laugh, no matter how brief his appearance was.

Willard’s career spanned over 50 years, and he appeared in cartoons, sitcoms, soap operas, talk shows, and reality television. Many friends and fans remembered him on social media:

Easily one of the funniest, nicest people I’ve ever met. Thank you for decades of laughter Fred.https://t.co/PcwoB8B7sn

— Adam McKay (@GhostPanther) May 16, 2020

There was no man sweeter or funnier. We were so lucky to know Fred Willard and will miss his many visits https://t.co/joHM39o8k4

— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) May 16, 2020

Devastated to learn that the great Fred Willard has died. I was honored to have called him a friend. One of the funniest, nicest, sweetest, purest souls I have ever had the privilege to know. He was my hero from Fernwood Tonight when I was a kid. He was never not funny. RIP Fred.

— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) May 16, 2020

So sad to hear about Fred Willard. He was a brilliant satirist. Made you laugh from your gut. And the kindest of souls.

— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) May 16, 2020

I’m at a loss for words, a state Fred Willard never found himself in. My friend for 40+ years, a great comic actor who had no competition because there was only one of him. We were all so lucky. Goodbye, Fred.

— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) May 16, 2020

Fred Willard could not have been funnier. He was pure joy. And the sweetest person you could ever meet. https://t.co/JoLy6PVd9d

— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) May 16, 2020

How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard’s gifts. He is with his missed Mary now. Thanks for the deep belly laughs Mr. Willard. Best in Show (7/11) Movie CLIP – Judging the Hounds (2000) HD https://t.co/wPrbk9VjWI via @YouTube

— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) May 16, 2020

RIP, Fred. You were always my comic hero. I was thrilled to work with you in Roxanne. https://t.co/IjSxCMESzt

— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) May 16, 2020

• Get your own DEVO-inspired face shield so you whip COVID-19. Whip it good. (via Nerdist)
• Let’s make all the nerdy crafts, yeah? (via Syfy Wire)
• Go behind the scenes of Netflix’s She-Ra final season. (via AVClub)
• Clone Club! The cast of Orphan Black is reuniting for a charity live read Sunday night!

#OrphanBlack is BACK.

This Sunday, May 17 at 3pm ET, the original cast will reunite live on the official Orphan Black Facebook page for a two-episode table read benefiting @CenterLink and @SisteringTO.

See you there, #CloneClub. https://t.co/g0iryz0khc pic.twitter.com/ppOkDLEbd9

— Orphan Black (@OrphanBlack) May 11, 2020

• Graeme Manson discusses his Snowpiercer series, which premieres Sunday night. (via io9)
• Congrats to Jonah Hill, who has sworn more onscreen than any other actor. (via Variety)
• Timothy Olyphant (Justified) is joining season 2 of The Mandalorian. (via Collider)

Hope you’re having a safe Saturday, Mary Suevians!

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