Comedy legend Fred Willard has passed away at the age of 86. The news was confirmed by his representative Glenn Schwartz, who said that he died of natural causes.
Willard's daughter Hope Mulbarger also shared a statement, saying, "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."
Willard's influence and legacy in comedy cannot be understated. Early in his career, he worked with his partner Vic Grecco as part of the Willard & Grecco comedy duo. They appeared on the likes of The Dean Martin Show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and The Tonight Show. From there, he appeared in shows like the Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman spinoff Fernwood 2 Night.
His career reached another high when he collaborated with Christopher Guest on numerous mockumentaries, including A Mighty Wind, Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman. He also had notable appearances in Anchorman, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and numerous other 2000s movies.
More recently, Willard was tied to alternative comedy properties with notable appearances in Tom Goes to the Mayor, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! and I Think You Should Leave to name but a few.
Read some tributes to Willard below.
Willard's daughter Hope Mulbarger also shared a statement, saying, "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."
Willard's influence and legacy in comedy cannot be understated. Early in his career, he worked with his partner Vic Grecco as part of the Willard & Grecco comedy duo. They appeared on the likes of The Dean Martin Show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and The Tonight Show. From there, he appeared in shows like the Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman spinoff Fernwood 2 Night.
His career reached another high when he collaborated with Christopher Guest on numerous mockumentaries, including A Mighty Wind, Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman. He also had notable appearances in Anchorman, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and numerous other 2000s movies.
More recently, Willard was tied to alternative comedy properties with notable appearances in Tom Goes to the Mayor, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! and I Think You Should Leave to name but a few.
Read some tributes to Willard below.
