John Spencer died
 

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/1....ap/index.html

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- John Spencer, who played a dedicated politico on "The West Wing" who survived a serious illness to run for vice president, died of a heart attack Friday, his publicist said.

Spencer, 58, died at a Los Angeles hospital, said publicist Ron Hofmann. He would have been 59 next week.

Spencer played Leo McGarry, the chief of staff to President Jeb Bartlet (Martin Sheen) through the first few seasons of the NBC series. In a sad parallel to life, his character suffered a heart attack that forced him to give up his White House job.






That was a shock. It's going to be interesting to see what happens on The West Wing now.

Re: John Spencer died
 

whoa, 58 is way to young...

Re: John Spencer died
 

Damn - I loved him. :(

Re: John Spencer died
 

He was a VERY good actor. I enjoyed him in both the West Wing AND movies like The Negotiator and The Rock. Way too young to go.

He is the best character on the West Wing IMHO. A fascinating man who, better than anyone else, can stand up to Bartlett and REALLY get in his face in a good way, while still being somewhat deferential but firm at the same time, rather than the smug and arrogant way Toby does.

Re: John Spencer died
 

I've always liked him in the television shows he appeared on - he did a two- or three-season gig on the old LA Law series too.

Sad indeed.

Re: John Spencer died
 

He was a great actor! I watched seasons 1-4 of WW and never took it back up .. not sure if seas 5 is out on DVD yet, but that show was great and he was an important part of what it was - he helped make the show.

Sad loss, I remember him from from that Law show as well - didn't even realize that was him until PD mentioned it and I put the faces together..

Re: John Spencer died
 

My husband told me this last night, with a very sad face indeed. I loved this man the way that certain actors just get under the skin and live there. He always seemed like the kind of guy you could take to dinner and just talk to.

RIP, Mr. Spencer. Thanks for the years of pleasure you gave with your work. :(