Great grief for Hollywood icon - everyone knows his face

He has appeared in countless Hollywood films and hit series. Now Fred Willard, one of the most popular US comedians and actors, has died.

• Hollywood mourns one of its greatest stars.
• Fred Willard died at the age of 86.
• The comedian and actor was known from numerous series  and films .

Los Angeles - He was known from numerous films and series, including  "Roseanne" ,  "Everyone loves Raymond" and "Modern Family" . Hollywood is now mourning the actor icon Fred Willard . The comedian is at the age of 86 years died .

Fred Willard dead: actor "peacefully fell asleep"

Fred Willard died  Friday night (local time) in Los Angeles, the Hollywood reporter reported online referring to his spokesman on Saturday . According to Willard's daughter Hope Mulbarger, the popular actor fell asleep "very peacefully", reports the tabloid people.com. Her father would have worked to the end and made them all happy, she said in a message.

Hollywood mourns drama icon - including Ben Stiller

Numerous Hollywood stars paid tribute to  Fred Willard and expressed their grief on social media. "Fred Willard was the funniest person I've ever worked with," wrote actor Steve Carell about his co-star from the comedy "Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgundy". 

Steve Martin honored his acting colleague as a "comedian hero".

RIP, Fred. You were always my comic hero. I was thrilled to work with you in Roxanne. https://t.co/IjSxCMESzt

Even Ben Stiller , who only last week the death of his father Jerry Stiller cope had, expressed dismay. On Twitter, he shared numerous posts and clips in memory of the great comedian. “Fred Willard was a brilliant comic actor and improviser. He could make fun of everything. His work is considered one of the funniest ever (...).

Fred Willard was a brilliant comic actor and improvisor. He could make anything funny. His work goes down as some of the funniest ever,
From Jerry Hubbard on ... he inspired and influenced so many people in comedy.

Sending love to his family.

Jimmy Kimmel, Jamie Lee Curtis, Christina Applegate and numerous other celebrities also mourned the Internet.

Fred Willard dead: Countless guest and supporting roles in series and Hollywood films

The comedian, known for his quick wit and idiots, has been in front of the camera for four decades , often with guest appearances and in funny supporting roles. On the screen he became known through series such as "Roseanne" , "My Family - Really Embarrassing" and "Everyone loves Raymond" . He had film roles in comedies such as "Wedding Planner - in love, engaged, planned" , "Harold & Kumar" , "Date Movie" and alongside Will Ferell in "Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgundy" .

Only two weeks after his wife, TV actor Christoph Quest died at the age of 79. Another big name from the American entertainment industry has just died. Little Richard is dead. 

especially with material from dpa