Fred Willard is nominated for an Emmy for his role on Modern Family two months after his death at 86
Fred Willard on Tuesday was nominated for an Emmy for his role on Modern Family two months after his death from cardiac arrest at 86.
The late actor got a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for playing Frank Dunphy on the ABC series, which wrapped up earlier this year.
Williard was previously nominated for Primetime Emmys on four occasions, including one for Modern Family in 2010, and three consecutive years – 2003, 2004 and 2005 – for playing Hank on Everybody Loves Raymond.
Honored: Fred Willard on Tuesday was nominated for an Emmy for his role on Modern Family two months after his death from cardiac arrest at 86
The show paid homage to the nomination on its Twitter, writing: ‘Honoring Fred Willard on his posthumous #Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. #ModernFamily.’
The Tinseltown veteran’s relatives expressed their joy over the honor, writing in response on his Twitter, ‘Our family is very excited! Thank you!’
The late actor was nominated against a host of notable names including Eddie Murphy, Brad Pitt and Adam Driver for their roles on Saturday Night Live; Dev Patel (Modern Love) and Luke Kirby (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel).
Modern Family’s co-creator Christopher Lloyd opened up to EW about Willard’s word ethic in an interview earlier this year.
The late actor got a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for playing Frank Dunphy on the ABC series, which wrapped up earlier this year
Lasting legacy: Following his death, Williard was hailed by a slew of show business peers over his five-decade-plus career in Hollywood
‘He’s really a consummate comedic actor, and we’ve been a fan of his for decades,’ Lloyd told EW at the time. ‘So we always loved having him on the show. He just has a light touch with comedy, but there’s nothing easy about it for him.
The actor, who was also known for his work in Anchorman, This Is Spinal Tap and Best In Show, rehearsed and practiced ‘in his trailer endlessly,’ Lloyd said. ‘So he makes it look easy by working very, very hard.’
Following his death this past May, his daughter Hope Mulbarger said in a statement, ‘My father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old. He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end. We loved him so very much. We will miss him forever.’
Homage: The show paid homage to the nomination on its Twitter and Fred’s family said it was ‘very excited’ over the honor
Following his death, Williard was hailed by a slew of show business peers over his five-decade-plus career in Hollywood.
They included Jimmy Kimmel, Steve Martin, Christina Applegate, Steve Carell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Judd Apatow and his Modern Family co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who said, ‘I am so honored that our lives intersected.
Carell said, ‘Fred Willard was the funniest person that I’ve ever worked with. He was a sweet, wonderful man.’
Martin wrote, ‘RIP, Fred. You were always my comic hero. I was thrilled to work with you in Roxanne.’
The Emmys will be hosted by Kimmel and air on ABC September 20.