The clever comic actor, who died Friday, played clueless characters to perfection on ‘Fernwood 2 Night,’ ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ and ‘Modern Family.’
Fred Willard, the Emmy-nominated actor who played clueless characters to perfection on Fernwood 2 Night and Everybody Loves Raymond, died Friday. He was 86.
Hollywood figures have taken to social media to pay tribute to the actor, who was known for such roles as Ed Harken in the two Anchorman films and received Emmy nominations for portraying Hank MacDougall, the conservative father-in-law of Brad Garrett’s Robert, on Everybody Loves Raymond and for playing Frank Dunphy, father of Ty Burrell’s Phil, on Modern Family.
On Twitter, Jamie Lee Curtis shared a clip from Willard’s 2000 comedy Best in Show while writing: “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.”
Steve Carell, who starred alongside Willard in both Anchorman films, remembered him for being “the funniest person that I’ve ever worked with. He was a sweet, wonderful man.”
Christina Applegate, also a fellow Anchorman actor, wrote she was “gutted” over the news of Willard’s death: “His immense talent and kindness will never be forgotten. We love you Fred Willard. Thank you for the decades of laughter.”
Steve Martin tweeted, “RIP, Fred. You were always my comic hero. I was thrilled to work with you in Roxanne.”
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