John Spencer, who played Leo McGarry on has died, ironically, of a heart attack (Leo almost died of a heart attack several seasons ago).
He was a great actor, and seemed like a good guy. My condolences to his family.
(And I can’t help but wonder how the producers and writers of WW will handle this… have Leo die suddenly? bring in a new actor to play Leo?)
Bummer. I’ve been a big fan of his since L.A. Law.
Well, at least he died while his career was hot.
Hmm, I’d totally forgotten that both Jimmy Smits and Spencer were L.A. Law veterans.
I’d kinda like to see Spencer’s character collapse at the convention and have Smits hold his body, making a speech that is short but the most rousing speech I’ve ever heard, getting swept into the White House with powers that will make martial law seem like anarchy.
DAMN.
John Spencer was an amazing actor. Leo McGarry was one of the best characters on the show, and that was because of Spencer’s acting.
Well, that sucks.
That does suck. When I watched the show, he was by far my favorite character.
It will be weird to see how WW handles it.
Damn. Damn. Only 58.
I’m really upset. I don’t think any other celeb death this year has upset me so much.
Damn.
I for one will never forget his titanic battle with Cliff Thorburn.
Damn again. I’ll miss watching him.
That really sucks. Dammit.
It’s sad, particularly for his family and friends. But I have to admit, I’m also wondering how it will affect the show. I think they’re in the final weeks of the campaign and in the last episode, Leo was being asked to replace Josh as campaign manager, while simultaneously continuing as VP candidate.
The concern for his role in West Wing is really a tribute to his acting ability.
If you remember his character on LA Law, he was totally different, yet just as believable.
The other role that I remember him for also involved an attorney – the film Presumed Innocent with Harrison Ford. His part was pivotal.
John Spencer, we are so going to miss you. You were aces.
Plus he kept Michael Madsen from starting World War III.
Well, not really, but they didn’t know that at the time.
Wow. Crap.
Same here. Damn.
Says in his obit he was on the old Patty Duke Show; would’ve loved to see him in that.
I was sitting in a bar this afternoon when I saw the announcement on the TV. My first thought was “Damn, he’s way too young to die this suddenly.” What a shame. The story he told Josh about the man in the pit was really one of the great acting jobs in TV history.
Yeah, this has definitely been the celebrity death to affect me the most this year.
I always liked Spencer from back in the L.A. Law days. I’m actually honestly surprised anyone else remembered him from back then, Sampiro, I always thought my appreciation of him in L.A. Law was something not shared by anyone else :).
I was really happy about his being a major player on the West Wing, it’s always cool when an actor you take notice of, but who hasn’t had a lot of “heavy” success ends up becoming really successful.
I’ve been a fan of Smits’ for awhile too, again from the L.A. Law days. But his acting ability was vindicated by NYPD Blue imo.
I figure most of the remainder of the campaign is already filmed, although I’m not sure. If it is then they’ll probably announce Leo has died of a heart attack (makes perfect sense given they’ve already introduced the heart problem concept) the first time they have to film a new episode. I hope to see most of that episode dedicated to Leo McGarry the character hopefully as a tribute to John Spencer the man. Then the episode after that Santos should announce who his new VP candidate will be.
I reckon when it comes time for me to bite the big one, I won’t give a damn about the networks I built or the computers I fixed, or the orchids, the CPs or the water gardens. Maybe I’ll worry about the cat and the killifish. But, yeah, my first thought was what would happen to his character.
I really wish we went somewhere and got rewarded, I really do.
Again, damn.
Crap. A good actor who, fortunately, was recognized in what turned out to be his final years.
–Cliffy