'West Wing' Actor John Spencer Dies at 58

[Jill1228]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051216/...v/obit_spencer

'West Wing' Actor John Spencer Dies at 58 By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer
1 minute ago



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 his publicist, Ron Hofmann. Spencer would have been 59 next week.

Spencer played Leo McGarry, the chief of staff to President Jeb Bartlet (Martin Sheen), on the NBC series. In a sad parallel to life, McGarry 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, N.J., 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, he 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.

[MissMonika]

<----------------- Sad Face ----------------

[Sistermadly]

OMFG! I am totally shocked. I had such a huge crush on John Spencer, and I was really looking forward to what was going to happen with the story lines.

Maybe my whole thing about them bringing Sam back as the veep or POTUS wasn't too far off.

RIP John Spencer. You will be sorely missed by this 'Winger.

[dzandiloo]

Wow...I know it's ridiculous to think of an actor as part of your family, but I feel like I've been punched in the gut & lost a dear friend. I cried when Leo had the heart attack last season, and I'm choked up now.

I saw the news and my first thought was that it was a mistake - a different John Spencer.... And I sooo hate that I went straight to the thought about "what are they going to do with The WW now?" His family & the cast must be devastated...58 is way to young to go.

Rest in Peace, John/Leo.

[DeltAlum]

A remarkable actor, and it appears just as remarkable man. A sad thing.

[RACooper]

So sad - it was a pleasure to watch his character acting on Sundays... he came from the "old school" of acting where the character portrayal was more than a superficial gloss.

[honeychile]

He was brilliant among stars.

[pinkyphimu]

i just saw this on the news and i was completely shocked. i am so sorry to hear about this. it also made me sad that his birthday was going to be on tuesday.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that came out of no where and stunned me to no end! All i can say is OMG! he was fricken A W E S O M E! how sad! i like sistermadley are true west wing die hards this shocks me !


RIP John

[darling1]

although not a fan of west wing, i remember him from la law. he had such depth to his roles. he will be missed.

Originally posted by RACooper
So sad - it was a pleasure to watch his character acting on Sundays... he came from the "old school" of acting where the character portrayal was more than a superficial gloss.

[KSigkid]

Wow, that's a huge shock. I'm a big fan of West Wing - he was a great actor, and it is a great loss to the show.

[UKDaisy]

I loved his voice!!!

I'm very sad.

[smiley21]

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is awful. I loved him and West Wing. I agree with Sistermadly. I thought he was really handsome.

[Tom Earp]

What is so Sad, that His Character recovered and came back!

He was a steadying Force of West Wing! I wanted The very Best for Him. He desearved it!

Rest In Peace John Spencer=Leo McGarry!

I really hope they , the producers and writers of the show, do something very special for him as in a rememberance of sorts. He was a huge steady force to the show.

I now kinda wonder how they will take the show and what will happen