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CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
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 Fri Dec 16, 2005 6:55 pm 'West Wing' actor dies at 58 |
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| Quote: | 'West Wing' actor dies at 58
John Spencer played VP candidate Leo McGarry on hit show
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- John Spencer, who played a dedicated politico on "The West Wing" who survived a serious illness to run for vice president, died of a heart attack Friday, his publicist said.
Spencer, 58, died at a Los Angeles hospital, said publicist Ron Hofmann. He would have been 59 next week.
Spencer played Leo McGarry, the chief of staff to President Jeb Bartlet (Martin Sheen) through the first few seasons of the NBC series. In a sad parallel to life, his character suffered a heart attack that forced him to give up his White House job.
The character recovered and was picked as a running mate for Democratic presidential contender Matt Santos, played by Jimmy Smits; the campaign has been a central theme this season for the drama.
Spencer, who also starred on "L.A. Law" as attorney Tommy Mullaney, received an Emmy Award for his performance on "The West Wing" in 2002 and was nominated four other times for the drama.
The actor mirrored his character in several ways: both were recovering alcoholics and both, Spencer once said, were driven.
"Like Leo, I've always been a workaholic, too," he told The Associated Press in a 2000 interview. "Through good times and bad, acting has been my escape, my joy, my nourishment. The drug for me, even better than alcohol, was acting."
Spencer grew up in Paterson, New Jersey, the son of blue-collar parents. With his enrollment at the Professional Children's School in Manhattan, he was sharing classes with the likes of Liza Minnelli and budding violinist Pinchas Zukerman.
As a teenager, Spencer landed a recurring role on "The Patty Duke Show" as the boyfriend of English twin Cathy. Stage and film work followed. Then his big break: playing Harrison Ford's detective sidekick in the 1990 courtroom thriller "Presumed Innocent." That role led to his hiring for the final four years of "L.A. Law."
Service and funeral arrangements were pending, Hofmann said.
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. |
OMG! I can't belive it. im in shock. i only watched the new west wing episode last night.   RIP, you will be greatly missed. The WW will never be the same without you
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borgslayer
Rear Admiral
Joined: 27 Aug 2003
Posts: 2646
Location: Las Vegas
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| Fri Dec 16, 2005 6:57 pm |
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R.I.P. John Spencer
You were a fine actor.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:00 pm |
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I've never seen the show, but knowing that it's left-wing biased, I never would have liked it. But despite that, it's sad to see an acclaimed actor dead. RIP Mr. Spencer.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
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| Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:02 pm |
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I remember him when he was on L.A. Law. He was awesome actor. RIP
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teya
Commander
Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 423
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| Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:13 pm |
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RIP, John. You'll be missed.
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Brightstar82
Rear Admiral
Joined: 08 Apr 2005
Posts: 4394
Location: A Borg Cube....Where Else?
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| Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:43 pm |
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Thats sad..They lost a good actor..RIP
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Lord Borg
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 27 May 2003
Posts: 11214
Location: Vulcan Capital City, Vulcan
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| Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:48 pm |
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This is sad. RIP. Another actor this month to a heart failure.
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Paris10
Commander
Joined: 26 Aug 2001
Posts: 458
Location: estados unidos
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| Sat Dec 17, 2005 7:11 pm |
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It's terrible...I love the West Wing for its drama and humor
It won't be the same w/o him...
RIP John
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WeAz
Commodore
Joined: 03 Apr 2004
Posts: 1519
Location: Where you aren't
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| Sat Dec 17, 2005 9:02 pm |
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I loved that show... it won't be the same without him
RIP John Spencer
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