CNN: John Spencer (West Wing's Leo McGarry) Dead

[VolcanoJen]

Breaking now via the AP. John Spencer has died of a heart attack.

I'll update with a link when it appears.

ETA: Link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051216/ap_en_tv/obit_spencer_1

LOS ANGELES - John Spencer, who plays vice presidential candidate Leo McGarry on NBC's "The West Wing," died of a heart attack Friday, his publicist said.

Spencer, 58, died at a Los Angeles hospital, said his publicist, Ron Hofmann. The death was first reported by the syndicated program "The Insider."

Hofmann released no other immediate details.

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[Hyernel]

1. Whoa!

Just like in that episode where he had a heart attack at Camp David. Weird.

RIP

[catmother]

6. i was just going to say that -- fiction became truth. so sad. n/t

[NanceGreggs]

27. Haven't seen you in a while, Sis ...

... so a big :loveya:

[iamjoy]

75. Stranger Still (Minor Spoiler )

supposedlyin an episode filmed but not yet aired McGarry is debating w/the Republican VP nominee, they are talking about health care & McGarry says something like, "a lot of times, the first symptom of a heart attack is death."

And rumor has it Spencer was also a recovering alcoholic.

[villager]

2. aw, shit...

n/t...

[Ilsa]

3. Oh how sad. He was a wonderful liberal, too.

I loved him on the show and when he did a stint on LA Law. Great actor. Too young to be gone. :cry:

[VolcanoJen]

5. A liberal in real life?

I wasn't aware of that.

Leo was certainly the most important character on The West Wing, save for President Bartlett.

I imagine this could change the outcome of the Santos-Vinick election, if it hasn't already been filmed yet?

RIP, John Spencer. :cry:

[Ilsa]

12. Yes, I've seen him interviewed on talk shows and he was

all over in favor of Democratic ideals and candidates, etc. My guess is that the only reason he wasn't more vocal was that he was busy working and I suppose he was trying to take care of his heart condition. Sometimes being too involved in politics can be too stressful.

[President Jesus]

31. Here are his campaign contributions

http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/John_Spencer.php

Definitely a dem.

[csorman]

61. We'll miss you, Leo! :-(

I can't believe it - my husband and I have been sitting here depressed most of the night. Now I'm listening to Wilco and drinking wine and reflecting on my favorite WW episodes. He was our favorite. A brilliant actor, and his character mirrored his life. You can't get much more real than that.

God bless and peace be with you, John. You were too young. This sucks. :cry:

[JudyM]

68. Useful and interesting link! n/t

[bluestateguy]

4. Please tell me this is an error

[helderheid]

7. OH HOW SAD!

:cry: :(

[William769]

8. You will be missed John Spencer .

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[Lindacooks]

9. Jeez, I thought he was a lot older than 58. What a loss.

I hate it when people die unexpectedly - it just shifts the world around you.

[Faygo Kid]

24. 58?? I would have guessed 68.

He must have had circulatory problems or something that aged him. Remember, FDR was only 63 when he died. 58 is way, way too young.

[TexasBushwhacker]

28. He had been a heavy drinker ...

and smoker. I think he quit drinking several years ago, but only quit smoking in 1999 (according to IMDB). Sometimes you can't undo the damage that's already done. It's a shame. He was a damn good actor.

[CBHagman]

51. Unfortunately, a heart attack can take anyone.

Even if there are no obvious risk factors at all, a heart attack can strike. Let's not start a medical analysis of poor John Spencer. Even if you never pick up a cigarette, you can have an "event," as I know from bitter experience.

[TexasBushwhacker]

72. Just a comment, not a criticism

Some people commented that he looked older than 59, and I just commented on the drinking and smoking because that may be why. As for not having risk factors, I understand completely. Remember Arthur Ashe? Professional athelete, thin, in great shape and had to have bypass surgery before he was 40!

[CBHagman]

74. Yes, good point.

You never know, as in the case of Ashe.

I'm just so sad about Spencer. The only good thing I can say about this is that at least he got to see some rewards for his work and was in demand, rather than forgotten.

Rest in peace.

[displacedtexan]

10. Shocking news.

58 years old.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0817983/photogallery

Here's his IMDB link:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0817983/

[benny05]

11. I like Watching WW

But they cannot keep vice-presidents around, real or not.

I'm sad...Spencer was a great actor in this series.

;(

[VolcanoJen]

16. It just won't be the same without Leo.

Also, last week, Santos considered demoting Josh and putting his running mate Leo in charge of the campaign. Santos was urged to do so by party elders.

I guess the death of John Spencer will lead to the death of Leo's character, too? It's all so sad. :-(

[HereSince1628]

13. Being asked to run Santos' campaign killed him!

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

14. J.S. on the job:

:patriot:

[Caoimhe]

15. LEO NOOOOOO

He will be so missed!!! He was the best actor on that show besides of course Martin Sheen. DAMMMMMMMN. :cry:

[Hyernel]

17. Possible West Wing storyline...

In the final days of the election, Leo McGarry's plane explodes in mid-air.

Vinick gets a mysterious phonecall claiming resposibility by a terrorist group called Swiftboat Veterans for Truth, claiming the killing as a "gift" towards his candidacy.

Vinick drops out of the race in disgust, handing the victory to Santos, who chooses Janenne Garafolo as his new VP.

/I might need to work on that a bit.

[VolcanoJen]

21. I think you're onto something, Hyernel

Keep fleshing that out... and I agree that the new running mate will be female, even if it's not Janeane's character.

[serryjw]

54. CJ would be perfect!

n/t

[erpowers]

66. Not CJ

Although I like CJ I just do not think she should be the pick. I think too many people will not be able to accept the transition of her from the chief of staff of Bartlett to Santos' running mate. I know that is what happened with Leo, but for years CJ was also the press secretary. I think some people will still think of her as the press secretary so in essence some people will see it as a transition from being the press secretary to the VP. I think the producers need to pick someone else. I think they should pick the women who Toby was helping during the primary. They could also write in a female military officer who gets picked for the VP spot. She could be a female Wes Clark or John Murtha character. When I mention John Murtha I mean the military career not his former support for the Iraq War.

For those here who are thinking of a way to write in a Swift Boat Veterans for Truth type group into the show the producers could use this story line. Upon picking a former military personnel as his running mate some Republicans both members and non-members of the Swift Boat group begin to question the military service and courage of the military veteran. They could write the group going as far as questioning the patriotism of the veteran in that she was opposed to all out war after the attack of an American convoy that happened last year. After the attacks Vinick leaves the Republican Party in that he cannot stand for the Republican Party supporting a group that questions the patriotism of a person who had such a great military career.

[iamjoy]

76. Senator Rafferty?

Wasn't she the one Toby was secretly helping for a while during the primaries?

[NMDemDist2]

18. oh geez, that just sucks! RIP Mr. Spencer n/t

[colbushwhacker_2000]

19. So sad .

Leo, you will be missed, but not forgotten.....thank you for all the wonderful memories !

God Bless you and your family.

[MaineDem]

20. Oh wow!

He looked older than 58!

What a sad thing to happen.

[teachermarie]

22. Geeze, what a terrible loss.

He's a great actor. When I saw the news I was hoping it wasn't true.
God bless.

[stray cat]

23. Wow - so young

Thats really sad. I really liked his character on the show

[hippiechick]

25. Have they finished shooting the season's episodes ?

(Shallow question, I know) Are they going to have to re-write the 'election results', or change the direction of the overall storyline ?


RIP, Mr Spencer O8)

[ronnykmarshall]

70. Probably not done yet.

I'm not a West Wing viewer, but what I saw I liked a lot. I loved him on LA Law.

[hippiechick]

71. Well Hi RonnyK !

Happy, uh ... Merry ... uh ... :hug: to you and yours !!!


:hi:

[ronnykmarshall]

73. You too sweetie pie!!

xoxoxoxo

[iamjoy]

77. Season's Not Finished Yet

I think I saw somewhere that they had finished shooting the next five episodes and McGarry was in two of them.

Taking the callous "show must go on" attitude: they could always use stock footage or have people on the phone with him or use some stock footage so McGarry can live a little longer, but that could be creepy and insensitive. Hard to say what they will do.

It's all very sad, and I doubt anyone with at least half a heart who personally knew Spencer is worried about the show right now. Then again, if we are talking about Hollywood agents and attorneys I am sure they ARE thinking about the show.

[NanceGreggs]

26. Peace be with you, John Spencer!

And Crashcart Cheney is still tickin' -- proof that ONLY the GOOD die young.

[ginnyinWI]

29. recommending for West Wing fans n/t

[mcscajun]

30. I read this in another thread...DAMN, DAMN, DAMN!

He was a truly fine actor and a nice man. Gone too soon.

Too. Soon.

:cry:

[onenote]

32. I met Spencer many years ago, long before west wing

He was visiting the friend of a friend in Pennsylvania. I think he had just started on LA Law. He was very warm and friendly. A regular guy. No airs about him.

Its very sad.

onenote

[0007]

33. Is Cheney gonna go for a box or a jar?

[wicket]

34. Very sad

:cry: May he rest in peace. Thanks for the many enjoyable hours of entertainment.

[WhiteTara]

35. Go to God John Leo Spenser McGarry

you will be missed here.

[HillDem]

36. Life imitates art

So sad. Rest in peace, John.

[jazzjunkysue]

37. They knew he was dying for months. I think it was cancer. They

already wrote him out, I don't recall how. But, this was inevitable.

I know someone who was lucky enough to be sponsored by John, and he really was as sweet as you assume he is, and totally down to earth. He was still volunteering here in NYC for AA and going to meetings sometimes.

What a beautiful human being. His smile seemed to bring on the sun and the spring.

I'm sure the cast is really hurting.

God bless his family, if you're reading this.

[VolcanoJen]

42. He had a huge role this season, though.

Leo McGarry is Matt Santos' running mate on this season of "The West Wing."

In fact, last week's episode had party elders twisting Santos' arm to fire Josh and put Leo in charge of their sagging campaign.

I don't feel that Leo McGarry's character was being written out at all... in fact, the character has quite a pivotal current role on the show. Judging from the importance of Leo in the last few episodes, I imagine John Spencer's death came as a shock to "The West Wing" writers and cast.

I wonder how it will all turn out.

[jazzjunkysue]

60. There are episodes already taped that you haven't seen.

So, they found a way out, in anticipation. I just don't recall what it was. Anyway, don't want to be a spoiler.

[Vanje]

55. "His smile seemed to bring on the sun and the spring. "

Best smile on tV.

i had a crush on him

[Rose Siding]

38. Very sad to hear this. He grew roses.

I saw him on a daytime show once and he took the host old style roses from his garden. He spoke as though he really love tending them. -I respected his talent before, but that made me like him, too.

[Ilsa]

67. Wow. What a sweetie.

I didn't see that interview. I saw him being interviewed on another show, and he was such a genuine, easy-going fellow, no airs about celebrity, very democratic, and impressed me as being really liberal.

[Zynx]

39. Wasn't he also in "The Rock" as Womack?

He was really good in that role too. I would have never guessed he was 58.

[Lisa]

40. I watched that SNL West Wing skit with Al Gore just last night ...

Spencer, and Sheen, and the rest of the cast really did a great job. I can't believe this ... just awful. I knew that he'd had some health problems (for real, even though his portrayal of Leo's close shave was acting). Only 58. Condolences to his family ...

[Rainscents]

41. I'll miss him. He is with God, much better place now.

[tishaLA]

43. How sad. So young

RIP

[VolcanoJen]

44. Sniff...

[deadparrot]

45. The Majority Report is starting right now.

Janeane's there this week. She'll probably say something, if anyone's interested.

[onehandle]

46. Damn! I met him once.

In New York at "The Producers" (The Play). He was a really nice guy.

What happens on West Wing now?

Damn, I'm going to miss him.

[GOPNotForMe]

47. Tears.

So sad.

[laylah]

48. Before I left

my husband of 23 plus years, West Wing was a major "family night". John "Leo McGarry" Spencer will be greatly missed. :cry:

[KitSileya]

49. How awful

This is terrible news. May he rest in peace. Thank you, Mr. Spencer, for the hours of enjoyment you've given me and other fans because of your talent. You will be sorely missed.

[Spazito]

50. Very sad news

His character, McGarry, was one of my favorite on West Wing.

[jannyk]

52. I was having such a good day

and then - Bam! Now I'm really bummed out. Shit, shit, shit!!

Go, be with with your higher power John Spencer. I'm going to miss you. You were a master of your craft - you did good, but your leaving has made me really, really sad.

And just in case he's 'listening'...

Dear God, for every really good one you take, the deal is you have to take three assholes, we're drowning in them down here. Please call me, I have a list of names for you.

[allisonthegreat]

53. surely can't be replaced...

I so enjoyed all his characters. I will miss seeing him...

[Matilda]

56. I'm really sorry to hear this.

He was one of the best actors on TWW.

:-(

[Olney Blue]

57. I loved him in Presumed Innocent.

It was on the other night, and that near-final scene in the movie where he is with Harrison Ford on the ferry...

oh, this is too sad.

:cry:

[Maat]

58. May he rest in peace.

Healing energy to his family and friends - and fans!

[AngryOldDem]

59. May he rest in peace

:cry: :cry:

I really don't know what else to say. I feel a tremendous sense of loss.

[csorman]

62. We'll miss you, Leo! :-(

I can't believe it - my husband and I have been sitting here depressed most of the night. Now I'm listening to Wilco and drinking wine and reflecting on my favorite WW episodes. He was our favorite. A brilliant actor, and his character mirrored his life. You can't get much more real than that.

God bless and peace be with you, John. You were too young. This sucks. :cry:

[Lugnut]

63. Damn

This is a huge loss. I loved him on LA Law as well as on West Wing. John was a very talented actor, a very nice man and much too young to die. My heart is broken for the loss to his family and myself. :cry:

[melody]

64. Nothing else to say but :(

:cry:

[RamboLiberal]

65. This rocked me when I heard it - so sad

John Spencer was a helluva actor, and such an integral part of West Wing. I admired his work even before West Wing but as Leo McGarry he and Martin Sheen were the best and their scenes together were always brilliant.

And being selfish, I do wonder how West Wing will handle. And strange how fiction became reality.

[jellybeancurse]

69. He is going to be truly missed

I loved him on the west wing. His acting really was the grit and soul of that show.

Best wishes to you and your family. :cry: