Fred Willard, RIP
Great comedian and actor Fred Willard has died of natural causes on Friday. He was 86. Jamie Lee Curtis, who is married to Fred’s good friend and collaborator Christopher Guest, tweeting, “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.” Willard’s daughter, Hope Mulbarger, said 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.” Harry Shearer wrote “Just about the funniest human ever to walk the planet.”
Born in 1933 in Shaker Heights, OH, Willard was an alumnus of Second City comedy troupe, and used his dry wit, improv skills and great comic timing in so many great television shows and movies over the last 50 years. He’s probably best known for his mockumentaries with Christopher guest, including Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, and A Mighty Wind but he also had memorable roles in This is Spinal Tap, Anchorman, and television shows like Modern Family, Roseanne, Everybody Loves Raymond, Review, cult series Fernwood Tonight, and more. He’s in the upcoming netflix series Space Force as well.
Fred, thanks for the laughs. Rest in peace. Watch a few clips of Fred in his element, plus read tributes from Shearer, Michael McKean, Judd Apatow, Jimmy Kimmel and more, below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S94mgsiFhic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44smgtX4LGc
Just learned of Fred Willard's passing. Just about the funniest human ever to walk the planet. An amazing talent, in telekinetic contact with the very wellspring of comedy.
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) 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
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
https://twitter.com/SteveMartinToGo/status/1261765176136568833
Fred Willard was a brilliant comic actor and improvisor. He could make anything funny. His work goes down as some of the funniest ever,
From Jerry Hubbard on…he inspired and influenced so many people in comedy.Sending love to his family.
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) May 16, 2020
Among many things, Fred Willard taught me not to be afraid to turn up to a scene with your own joke props. Or indeed material. What an incredibly funny man. Rest well Fred. pic.twitter.com/w2tEX066l1
— chris o'dowd (@BigBoyler) May 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/GhostPanther/status/1261749794730467329
God bless you, Fred Willard. You sure did make us laugh. #ripfredwillard
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) May 16, 2020
Such a sad day. We’ve lost #FredWillard and he will be missed. He was in our “Aristocrats” and killed. He’ll always be “Fernwood Tonight” to me, inventing modern comedy with #MartinMull. Fred never winked, he played the comedy pure. Genius. Perfect. pic.twitter.com/AZ0IrIrQyA
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) May 16, 2020
“And to think in some countries, these dogs are eaten.“ Fred Willard., Best in Show.
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) May 16, 2020
Nobody funnier than #FredWillard. And when he happened to be in an audience, nobody laughed harder. Just saw him before quarantine & already miss him. He was my biggest fan and I am his. Fred & Mary were so kind to me. Sending a big virtual hug to his family, friends and fans pic.twitter.com/XAIsVzuwEs
— Jeff Ross (@realjeffreyross) May 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/therealelp/status/1261737957049995265
https://twitter.com/SteveCarell/status/1261735731728277504
RIP Fred Willard ..you were incomparable
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) 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
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
Gutted. His immense talent and kindness will never be forgotten. We love you Fred Willard. Thank you for the decades of laughter.
— christina applegate (@1capplegate) May 16, 2020
There is nobody funnier than Fred Willard. Every time he was on screen I got excited and he never disappointed. Every time I saw him in real life he was kind and generous. Watching him in Fernwood Tonight, Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show and all of his other film… pic.twitter.com/ilGiJ3u0vV
— nick kroll (@nickkroll) 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
Fred Willard. The dear hilarious kind man we just lost. Here am I with he and Martin Mull while shooting a documentary about Martin. Seeing them having fun together reminiscent of the Fernwood days was truly a joy. Rest In Peace dear Fred. pic.twitter.com/mnYHzhlxLQ
— bob saget (@bobsaget) May 16, 2020