On Saturday, reports surfaced of actor Fred Willard‘s death. Jamie Lee Curtis, who is the wife of Willard’s longtime director Christopher Guest, originally broke the news via Twitter by posting a tribute to the late star. The news of his death was later confirmed by both Rolling Stone and his daughter, Hope Willard. In light of this news, many took to social media to share tributes to Willard and their condolences to his friends and family.
According to Rolling Stone, Willard died of natural causes at the age of 86, as per his rep, Glenn Schwartz. His daughter Hope later confirmed the news via Twitter, telling her followers that her father had passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday night. “It is with a heavy heart that I share the news my father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old,” she wrote. “He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end. We loved him so very much! We will miss him forever.”
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Following the news of his passing, Willard’s fans have taken to Twitter in order to share their tributes to the late actor. Many of those messages are filled with nothing but compassion and love, as fans have noted that Willard will be dearly missed.
A Comedic Genius
Oh man…what a comedic genius. Sorry to hear it…
— Garris Wimmer 🏳️🌈 (@Nycgar) May 16, 2020
So Sorry
I’m so sorry for your loss. He was SO funny and talented. ♥️
— 👩🏼💻 (@olypaw) May 16, 2020
He’ll Be Dearly Missed
Oh No 🙁 The laughs he always brought to my family, especially in this movie, will be missed and always rememebered!
— AlwynHamilton (@AlwynFJH) May 16, 2020
Heartbroken
Oh we are heartbroken. I loved him so! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
— Jimmy Smagula (@JimmySmagula) May 16, 2020
What A Loss
So sad to hear this. So sorry for the loss of your friend, Jamie. Huge loss to entertainment in general.
— Carol Sampietro (@sampietro75) May 16, 2020
Sending Love
Loved him in so many films/TV shows. I’m so sorry.
— Torry! Torri! Torré! (@torrayyyyy_) May 16, 2020
A Gem
He was a true original May his memory be a blessing 🖤 RIP Fred Willard pic.twitter.com/a7ASkKLmJs
— (((socially distant))) (@macushla7) May 16, 2020
A Genuine Man
Seemed genuine and genuinely kind – so funny too. Rip
— Ben Thompson (@GetBenThompson) May 16, 2020
Hitting Fans Hard
Oh man, this was a punch in the heart. Rest In Peace, thank you for the laughter and joy.
— Demmom44 (@demmom44) May 16, 2020
Rest In Peace
Noooooo!! One of the most brilliant comedic actors I’ve ever seen. Thank you thank you thank you! Rest in peace funny brilliant sir!
— CJ_In_Denver (@CJenni6) May 16, 2020
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(Photo by Ben Curtis – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images) -
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NEW YORK CITY – DECEMBER 19: "Toil and Trouble" – Elsbeth is thrown into the world of television after the showrunner of a long-running police procedural is brutally murdered in his office, and although it appears to be the act of a disgruntled fan, she begins to suspect the show's longtime star Regina Coburn (Laurie Metcalf) who yearns for artistic fulfillment. Meanwhile, Judge Crawford (Michael Emerson) continues to be a thorn in Elsbeth's side, on the CBS original series ELSBETH, Thursday, Dec. 19 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs). Pictured (L-R): Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni and Carra Patterson as Kaya Blanke. (Photo by Michael Parmelee/CBS via Getty Images)
