Fred Willard died last Friday night at the age of 86, of natural causes, as reported by his representative, Glenn Schwartz and daughter Hope on Saturday .
"My father passed away very calmly last night at the fantastic age of 86. He kept moving, working and making us happy until the end," the great actor's daughter said in a statement to E! News . "We love him very much. We will miss him forever."
The legendary comedian was best known for his roles in "Anchorman", "This Is Spinal Tap", "Best in Show", "A Mighty Wind", "American Pie", "WALL · E", he also acted and was nominated for its personages in the television series, like "Everybody Loves Raymond", and the successful "Modern Family", where it gave life to the character of Frank Dunphy.
After the unfortunate news, followers and colleagues of the deceased artist turned to social networks to share their condolences and tributes dedicated to Willard.
"Modern Family" co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson shared on Twitter, "Rest in peace, sweet @Fred_Willard. You will always be great and I am so honored that our lives have crossed. No one will ever be close to replacing your genius. "
https://twitter.com/jessetyler/status/1261732196240375808
Sofía Vergara also regretted the death and in a tweet placed an emoji spilling a tear and a heart icon.
https://twitter.com/SofiaVergara/status/1261736449767960577
Another co-star, Eric Stonestreet , who played Cameron Tucker, wrote: "It was a privilege that the great Fred Willard knew my name. Rest in peace, Fred. You were funny to the bone."
https://twitter.com/ericstonestreet/status/1261740674040369153
Ben Stiller , who recently lost his father Jerry Stiller , said, "Fred Willard was a brilliant actor and improviser. He could do anything funny. His work becomes one of the funniest in history, from Jerry Hubbard onwards. ... inspired and influenced so many people in comedy. I send love to his family. "
https://twitter.com/RedHourBen/status/1261754980857450498
Jimmy Kimmel also shared a special tribute that included a recent video of Willard on his show. "It saddens me to say goodbye to Fred Willard, who was still the funniest of men at 86. This is what turned out to be our last moment on the air together," he said.
https://twitter.com/jimmykimmel/status/1261783060711759875
"Scrubs" actor Donald Faison wrote about his best memories working with the deceased, "I remember having the opportunity to be on the television show 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' and discover that Fred Willard was chosen to play my uncle, "he wrote.
"I was so excited to be working with the comedy genius! I feel so lucky to have been able to share that little time with him. It is one of the best moments of my career. RIP."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAQvKdbpnLI/
Zach Braff detailed on Instagram, "He loved Fred Willard so much. He was one of those people you start laughing with from the moment he started talking. Go see his movies if you don't know him. Legendary. Hero."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAQxsJEHOkR/
Ellen DeGeneres wrote on Twitter, "Fred Willard always made me laugh. He just adored him, and today I send love to his family and many friends."
https://twitter.com/TheEllenShow/status/1261780420598923264
Willard was a four-time Emmy nominee for his roles in "What's Hot," "What's Not Not, Everybody Loves Raymond," "Modern Family," and "The Bold and the Beautiful."
Fred's last work was the series "Space Force", with Steve Carell , which will premiere on Netflix on May 29.
The celebrity's death occurred nearly two years after his wife Mary Willard passed away at the age of 71. Willard is survived by his daughter and grandson.
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