Fred Willard has died

Fred Willard has died of natural causes at the age of 86. You may not immediately recognize the name, but you are sure to recognize the face as he appeared in many different movies an TV shows over the years.

He appeared in many mockumentary movies – This Is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration, Mascots – and numerous TV shows.

He also played Shelby Forthright, the CEO of the Buy ‘n’ Large Corporation, in the first-ever live-action speaking segments by Pixar in the animated film WALL-E.

Whatever he was in, you could always be sure that his deadpan performance would make you laugh.

“A four-time Emmy nominee radiated a unique charm that established him as one of our generation’s most gifted comic actors,” Willard’s rep wrote in a tribute. “A master of sketch comedy, Fred was most heralded for his quick wit and improvisational expertise, which he demonstrated in hundreds of appearances on stage, on the big screen, and on a wide range of television shows.”

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