Acteur Fred Willard is op zesentachtigjarige leeftijd overleden. Hij speelde onder meer mee in This Is Spinal Tap en verschillende films van regisseur Christopher Guest zoals Best in Show.

Verder was hij te zien in Adam McKays Anchorman-films en Andrew Stantons WALL-E. Willard had ook rollen in tal van tv-series als Fernwood 2 Night, Everybody Loves Raymond en Modern Family. Binnenkort duikt hij nog op in Space Force op Netflix.

Verschillende mensen met wie Willard samenwerkte, brachten een laatste groet uit aan de acteur op Twitter, waaronder This Is Spinal Tap-regisseur Rob Reiner en -acteur Michael McKean, Anchorman-regisseur Adam McKay, -producent Judd Apatow en -acteur Ben Stiller, Modern Family-duo Eric Stonestreet en Jesse Tyler Ferguson en Space Force-acteur Steve Carrell.

Bekijk hun en nog meer reacties hieronder:

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

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

https://twitter.com/GhostPanther/status/1261749794730467329?s=19

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

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

It was a privilege to have the great Fred Willard know my name. Rest In Peace Fred. You were funny in your bones. pic.twitter.com/PlFTCHFZCK

— Eric Stonestreet (@ericstonestreet) May 16, 2020

Rest In Peace sweet @Fred_Willard. You will always be a true original and I am so honored that our lives intersected. No one will ever come close to replacing your genius.

— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (he/him/his) (@jessetyler) May 16, 2020

https://twitter.com/SteveCarell/status/1261735731728277504

One of my favorite lines in a movie ever was delivered by Fred Willard in BEST IN SHOW, after a naughty dog went after the judge: “He went after her like she was made of ham.” This man was so brilliant and he elevated the flicks and TV shows in which he popped up. RIP, Funny Man! https://t.co/jEmDS0T9n8

— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) May 16, 2020

Fred Willard – RIP to a wonderfully original actor comedian –
Any time he appeared in anything I’d stop and watch smiling and laughing – https://t.co/lJ82S7GZnU

— John Cusack (@johncusack) 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

RIP Fred Willard ..you were incomparable

— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) May 16, 2020

Very briefly met Fred Willard on the set of @gilkenan's MONSTER HOUSE, one of my very first crew jobs in LA. I was struck by him being incredibly kind, and INCREDIBLY funny. Have always loved his work and am sad to hear he passed. May he rest in peace.

— Mike Flanagan (@flanaganfilm) 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/zachbraff/status/1261751103751729152?s=19

My heart is hurting right now learning of the passing of my friend Fred Willard. Fred was one of the most gracious human beings I ever knew. When I got my first TV role on #BackToYou nobody was more kind & welcoming than Fred…whether attending my wedding or just calling me 😔 https://t.co/rFVK8VtFwL

— Josh Gad (@joshgad) May 16, 2020

https://twitter.com/jamieleecurtis/status/1261715329715060738?s=19

Bron: Deadline