Fred Willard dead: Rove McManus pays tribute to the late actor

Rove McManus has paid tribute to late Hollywood actor Fred Willard. 

He looked back at their time working together in an Instagram post on Sunday, after it was revealed the comedic legend died of natural causes on Friday, aged 86.  

The pair shared the stage while filming an episode of improvise show Set List: Stand Up Without a Net in 2013, that Rove looks back on with fond memories.  

‘They say never meet your idols but that was not the case with Fred,’ he began.

‘As delightful, sweet, funny and whip-smart in person as he was on screen, to get to perform with him and watch him in full flight was something I will forever cherish. 

‘He had a delivery all his own that made him steal every scene he had in everything from Waiting For Guffman, Best In Show, Spinal Tap, Anchorman to Modern Family. At 86, it feels like he still had so much comedy to give us. What a loss.’ 

Comic talent Fred Willard passed away on May 15, aged 86. 

The Best In Show actor died from natural causes, his rep Glenn Schwartz confirmed to Rolling Stone.

He was well known for his roles in Christopher Guest mockumentaries like A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration and This Is Spinal Tap, also recently appearing on the hit series Modern Family.

The news was first shared by actress Jamie Lee Curtis, the wife of Willard’s longtime collaborator Guest.

‘How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard’s gifts,’ Curtis tweeted. 

‘He is with his missed Mary now. Thanks for the deep belly laughs Mr. Willard.’

Fred’s wife of 50 years, Mary, died in 2018.