Comic actor Fred Willard of ‘Best in Show’ and ‘Modern Family’ dies at 86
[NBC, Invision/AP]
Willard was best known for his roles in films such as “Best in Show” and “A Mighty Wind” and TV series like “Modern Family.”
Actor Fred Willard attends the premiere of Disney’s “Planes: Fire & Rescue” at the El Capitan Theatre on July 15, 2014 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Kempin / Getty ImagesMay 16, 2020, 2:08 PM CDTBy Nicole Acevedo and Diana Dasrath
Fred Willard, a comic actor considered by many a master of the mockumentary genre, died Friday at age 86.
Willard was best known for his roles in films such as “Best in Show” and “A Mighty Wind” and TV series like “Modern Family.”
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news my father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old,” Hope Willard tweeted on Saturday. “He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end. We loved him so very much! We will miss him forever.”
He was one of the busiest comedic actors with a long career that lasted more than 50 years, including his scene-stealing turn as sidekick Jerry Hubbard on the satire “Fernwood 2 Night” in the 1970s.
Willard had recently finished filming the Netflix series “Space Force,” where he played actor Steve Carell’s father. He also completed the run for his Emmy-nominated recurring role on “Modern Family.”
From 2003 to 2005, Willard was nominated for three Emmy Awards for playing Hank on “Everybody Loves Raymond.” He was nominated a fourth time in 2010 his recurring role as Frank Dunphy, the father of Ty Burrell’s Phil Dunphy, on “Modern Family.”
Right before coronavirus-related stay-at-home orders were put in place, late night show host Jimmy Kimmel had Willard return on his show every two weeks, on average, doing comedic sketches.
He also made dozens of appearances in sketches on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.”
In 2016, he joined an elite list of comedians and comic actors who have received the Johnny Carson Comedy Legend Award given to those who have left his or her own mark on the comedy world.