John Spencer from The West Wing dies
 

'West Wing' Actor John Spencer Dies at 58
Dec 16, 6:21 PM EST


Associated Press

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.

I'm sorry to hear it, he was a very gifted actor.

Romy.

I just got home and heard this on the radio. He was one fantastic actor and came across as a beautiful person who helped a lot of people that suffered from alcoholism like he did. The West Wing won't be the same show without him, he was one of the greatest things about it. So sad. He was too young.

this is very sad news, i am sorry to hear of not only his paaing, but passing at christmas time, may he R.I.P.:angel: ~

Yes he was definitely one of the highlights of The West Wing. Sad to hear:(

I am in shock. I saw the news Saturday, but I haven't been able to express my sadness. I still don't know exactly what to say. West Wing was one of my favorite shows and John Spencer in the guise of Leo, was the anchor, even more so than Martin Sheen.
I will miss his presence on the show, and my heart goes out to the cast...

I was so upset when this moved on the wire at work. I actually had to write his obit for our newscast that night. I love the character of Leo, and everyone in the cast had such wonderful things to say about john Spencer. Sounds like their personalities were very similar. Remember the story Leo tells Josh... the guy who falls down the hole? Sounds like a story John Spencer would tell. Richard Schriff (whose name I may have spelled wrong), who plays Toby, said something to the effect that "there are few treasures in your life you put in your knapsack and carry with you the rest of your life. John was one of those treasures."

So very sad. I'm sure the West Wing will do a wonderful tribute to him in the episode where he'll die. I can just imagine the sobbing I'll be doing. I wonder if Aaron Sorkin might come back to write it.

Really? which station do you work for?

I'm in Canada... you've probably never heard of it. :o