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Comic actor Fred Willard of “Fernwood Tonight” and “Everybody Loves Raymond” dies at 86

“We loved him so very much! We will miss him forever,” Hope Willard, his daughter said in a tweet.

Actor Fred Willard attends the premiere of Disney's "Planes: Fire & Rescue" at the El Capitan Theatre on July 15, 2014 in Hollywood, Calif. (Getty Images, Getty Images)

Fred Willard, a comic actor considered by many a master of the mockumentary genre, died Friday at age 86.

Willard was known for playing clueless characters in shows such as "Fernwood Night" and "Everybody Loves Raymond."

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"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," Hope Willard tweeted on Saturday. "He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end. We loved him so very much! We will miss him forever."

He was one of the busiest comedic actors with a long career that lasted more than 50 years.

Willard had recently finished filming the Netflix series “Space Force,” where he played actor Steve Carell’s father. He also completed the run for his Emmy-nominated recurring role on “Modern Family.”


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