R.I.P. Fred Willard

My condolences. 

My condolences. I hope they’re playing He Layeth on High in Heaven tonight. R.I.P. Fred Willard pic.twitter.com/WE7785EaCu

— Doz #hiredozo (@DozonLife) May 16, 2020

Fred Willard passed away yesterday at the age of 86 according to his daughter, Hope. From what I've read it was peaceful and he was still actively living life right up to the very end.  His now final role, playing Steve Carell's dad in the new Netflix show "Space Force" is set to debut at the end of the month.

The actor and comedian's career spanned parts of EIGHT decades (I doubled checked).

That means there's plenty to pick from for your favorite Fred Willard role; although you'll have a hard time finding many brain surgeons or rocket scientists. The man was brilliant at playing dumb! And he was in EVERYTHING!  Fred Willard's filmography is no joke (despite all the laughs he provided along the way).  Name a show that mattered from like 1977-2019 and he probably made an appearance. 

When I was 10 or 11 one of my cool aunts showed me Best in Show. This is what my brain is telling me when I try to recall my first experience with Mr. Willard, although I suppose Spinal Tap could've been on in the background at some point when I was like four.  I didn't believe her when she told me most of the movie (Best in Show,,,but also Spinal Tap) was improvised, but I quickly learned of Fred Willard's genius.`He's one of the founding fathers of the Mockumentary. It's such a cliché, but he just had "it".  If you haven't seen Best in Show or A Mighty Wind I cannot recommend them enough. Especially if you like Schitt's Creek.

Fred's comedic timing was ELITE.

fred willard had one of the most underrated moments in anchorman that still keels me over laughing to this day. godspeed. pic.twitter.com/DwGQgbKWyN

— mike (@SeahawkScout) May 16, 2020

Much like Jerry Stiller, who passed away earlier this week; Willard's career went way back (you saw the fingies). Both were beloved/seen as overall great guys by their peers. Willard's final tweets were paying respect to both Stiller and Little Richard.

I met him in the 60s when we played in the same clubs in The Village as he and Anne Meara. Unfortunately for us, they were much funnier! We couldn't be jealous, so we became good friends instead. #JerryStiller

— Fred Willard (@Fred_Willard) May 12, 2020

While there's actually some people on twitter who feel the need to bring Phil Hartman's tragic MURDER into the mix for online applause....

Do I have to be the guy who says comparing Phil Hartman’s death to Fred Willard’s is in poor taste and a little ridiculous? BC I’ll gladly be that guy. I love Fred, but he died of old age and Phil was the victim of a fucking MURDER-SUICIDE with his kids in the house. pic.twitter.com/qw9EoHjvC5

— Doz #hiredozo (@DozonLife) May 16, 2020

There were plenty of Mr. Willard's peers that took to twitter to pay their respects in a genuine way. 

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

RIP Fred Willard ..you were incomparable

— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) May 16, 2020

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

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

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

We were fortunate to have worked with the hilarious Fred Willard on several episodes of Sister, Sister. His comedy chops were unbeatable.

We'll miss you, friend. □ pic.twitter.com/jHxoi4DqVg

— Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) May 16, 2020

RIP, Fred. You were always my comic hero. I was thrilled to work with you in Roxanne. https://t.co/IjSxCMESzt

— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) May 16, 2020

Such a sad day. We’ve lost #FredWillard and he will be missed. He was in our “Aristocrats” and killed. He’ll always be “Fernwood Tonight” to me, inventing modern comedy with #MartinMull. Fred never winked, he played the comedy pure. Genius. Perfect. pic.twitter.com/AZ0IrIrQyA

— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) May 16, 2020

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

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 (@RedHourBen) May 16, 2020

Nobody funnier than #FredWillard. And when he happened to be in an audience, nobody laughed harder. Just saw him before quarantine & already miss him. He was my biggest fan and I am his. Fred & Mary were so kind to me. Sending a big virtual hug to his family, friends and fans pic.twitter.com/XAIsVzuwEs

— Jeff Ross (@realjeffreyross) May 16, 2020

R.I.P. Fred Willard.  What a beautiful life he lived! My condolences to his family and loved ones.