Comic Fred Willard Dies at 86
Fred Willard, who was recently seen in his recurring role as Frank Dunphy on ABC sitcom Modern Family , died Friday of natural causes. “My father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old,” said Willard’s daughter Hope Mulbarger in a statement. “He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end. We loved him so very much! We will miss him forever.” Born on September 18, 1933 in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Willard's stage career began when he moved to New York in the late 1950s. Paired with his early comedy partner Vic Grecco under the moniker of “Willard & Grecco,” the two began touring and making guest appearances on series like variety-themed The Dean Martin Show and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour , and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in late night. After breaking up in 1968, Willard’s career break came in 1977 as Martin Mull’s sidekick and the announcer, Jerry Hubbard, on M...