He has died of a heart attack. On “West Wing,” he was running for vice president with Jimmy Smits.
This is so sad. He’s long been one of my favorite actors, on many shows.
Here’s a photo of him with his longtime girlfriend at an awards ceremony. (I was unable to save the image, so am linking it for you.)
Update [2005-12-17 20:24:4 by susanhu]: Some more from E! Online:
“I can’t believe that he is gone,” costar Bradley Whitford said in a statement. “We have all lost a dear, dear brother.”
Allison Janney remembered her West Wing colleague as the “consummate professional actor.” Series creator Aaron Sorkin and executive producer Tommy Schlamme hailed Spencer as “an uncommonly good man.”
An NBC spokesman said Spencer died at a hospital. It was not known when the actor last worked on the set. After airing a new episode last weekend, the show is on hiatus until January. […]
As McGarry, Spencer acted out a heart attack in an October 2004 West Wing episode, “The Birnam Woods.”
Spencer’s sudden death would seem to throw into disarray the series’ season-long presidential campaign storyline. With Martin Sheen’s President Bartlet terming out, McGarry is party to one of two tickets seeking to claim the White House for their own. Earlier this fall, McGarry accepted the V.P. slot on the Democratic slate headed by Jimmy Smits’ Congressman Santos.
In an episode that was slated to air Jan. 8, McGarry is front and center in a TV debate with his Republican counterpart, played by Brett Cullen. As recounted on a spoilers blog on the fan site, The West Wing Continuity Guide (http://westwing.bewarne.com/), Spencer’s dialogue during an exchange on health insurance is, given Friday’s events, eerie.
“By an overwhelming percentage, the first warning symptom of a heart attack is death,” Spencer’s McGarry says, per the blog. “I’m fortunate to be here.”
Spencer’s life mirrored McGarry’s even down to their backstories–both men were recovering alcoholics.
In a 2000 interview with the Associated Press, Spencer argued that, of the two, McGarry was the “better man.”
“He has qualities that I wish I had more of,” Spencer told the wire service. “I often say to Aaron [Sorkin], ‘You’re writing the man I’d like to be.’ ” …Read all at E! Online— it’s an EXCELLENT piece
So sad and tragic how life imitates art and the storyline of Leo’s heart attack on West Wing.
Spencer was a talented actor and he will be missed.
I wonder what the writers will do about his story line. I will miss him. I’ve always enjoyed his performances.
Wow…Shocking. How old was he? Awful news.
He was 58.
Thanks…I used to live about 10 houses down from Allison Janney…the nicest person, always waved and said hello. I bet L. O’Donnell over at Huffington post will put something up about John Spencer…may he rest in peace. Gone to soon.
Wow, 58? That’s quite young to die from a heart attack. He looked much older than that; makes me think he had been in bad health more than people knew.
He was a superb actor, and a favorite character of mine on West Wing. My favorite cat is Leo, named after his character (kept the name even after we found out our little stray puff ball was a she, not a he).
He looked much older. I would’ve guessed mid-60s the last time I saw West Wing, and that was more than four years ago.
Tragedy, myself!!
And like you I Really Liked/Admired him in the Veriaty of rolls he played!!
His place on the screen, and in our hearts, Will Be Missed, but the Memories will still linger!!
Sad Very Sad!!
One of my favorite things he did was an NPR interview a few years ago (maybe 2 or 3) about growing roses. He grew roses as a hobby (in LA, poor guy) and he spoke about it quite eloquently.
I don’t know if it’s on NPR’s web site, but it’s worth hearing.
You mentioned that and i just had to share this which is up at IMDB in the trivia section of his bio:
West Wing has been my preferred alternate universe for the past 5 years. I’ve needed it to be a foil for the insanity of BushCo. Though it went downhill after Aaron Sorkin left, I still can’t do without it.
Leo was quite a character and my understanding is that a lot of Spencer was in the character as well. I think I will be in a state of shock for a while. This kind of life immitating art is not what I wanted to see from my vision of the WW.
RIP John Spencer. You will be missed.
Only 58. R.I.P. John Spencer.
Thanks. I had no idea who John Spencer was, but I recognize face in that the photo. Shame; the man died much too young. 🙁
Susan – as soon as I heard the news, I knew you’d be at the ready with an immediate post (given your love of WW).
What a sad loss. As much as I loved so many of Spencer’s roles – he’ll always be Leo to me. I admit to getting all teary-eyed during the episode where he was selected as Santos’ VP. And it’s a little bit chilling thinking back to the episode where he was alone in the woods, clutching a tree while in the midst of a heart attack.
It’s going to be pretty sad watching upcoming episodes of WW. I don’t know how far in advance they tape the episodes or how many more will include Leo. But either way, it’s going to be very sad.
During times like this, I just want to send out my best wishes of health and happiness for each one of you and the loved ones in your lives. And to those who have experienced recent losses, I continue to keep you in my heart.
Peace and blessings
Very sad news. I also enjoyed him on L.A.Law.
Yeah .. L.A. Law was rerun at 1 a.m. for a while on … channel … Bravo? or A&E? … and I began taping it for my daughter who’d been too little to know the show when it first came out. She loved it.
Funny, Friday night I always go out to dinner with my son and his wife and daughter(my Grandleezy). Before we left I was talking about Booman Tribune with him and was conveying Susan’s recent loss of her Mom and he stopped me and asked if I had heard that “Leo” had die4d of a massive heart attack today. At first I thought he meant on the last episode of WW. He teases me because I always fall aslepp before I can get through an episode.
John was an excellent actor and marvelous all around guy. I saw him interviewed on Bravo’s Actor’s Studio. I was quite impressed by the man. A very sad death too soon. He will be missed.
He played a great role as Leo in West Wing. Something we liked a lot but did not get to watch as often as we might due to young children. West Wing has been played pretty late here over the last couple of years.