04:45 - Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005
death strikes again........
Actor John Spencer dies at 58
John Spencer
John Spencer, who played Leo McGarry on NBC's political drama "The West Wing," died yesterday of a heart attack in a Los Angeles hospital, his publicist said. He would have turned 59 next week.
Spencer won an Emmy in 2002 for his role as McGarry, who was the right-hand man to President Jeb Bartlet, played by Martin Sheen. Ironically, his character had suffered a heart attack that forced him to give up his White House job. This season, McGarry was running for vice president.
"John was a wonderful actor, a pleasure to work with and a true gentleman, but most importantly, a generous and gracious friend," executive producer John Wells said in a statement. "He will be missed by everyone who ever had the great fortune to know him."
Before "The West Wing," Spencer was best known for playing quirky attorney Tommy Mullaney on the hit drama "L.A. Law."
Born John Speshock, Spencer grew up in Paterson, N.J., the son of a truck driver and a waitress. He got his start in acting at the Professional Children's School in Manhattan, where he was in classes with Liza Minnelli. He then went West, landing a recurring role in the classic TV series "The Patty Duke Show."
Returning to New York, he started working on stage. He appeared in Off- and on-Broadway productions such as "Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune," "The Day Room" and "A Still Life." His big-screen credits include "The Negotiator," "Twilight," "Sea of Love" and "Presumed Innocent."
An NBC spokesman said no decisions have been made on how to handle Spencer's death on "The West Wing."
