American Comedian, and Actor, Frederick Charles Willard passed away on Friday at his home residence in Los Angeles at the age of 86. His death was confirmed by his agent, Mike Eisenstadt with no specific cause given.
He was best known for his roles in the Rob Reiner mockumentary film This Is Spinal Tap; The Christopher Guest mockumentaries Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration and Mascots; and the Anchorman films.
Mr. Willard received best supporting actor nominations for the role from the National Society of Film Critics and the New York Film Critics Circle.
He made his television debut on “Pistols ’n’ Petticoats” (1966) a short-lived western sitcom starring Ann Sheridan. His first film was “Teenage Mother” (1967), an exploitation film so misguided that he once saw a theater audience boo his character’s attempt to stop a rape
Willard is survived by his daughter, Hope and a grandson, Freddie.