Fred Willard, the comedic improv-style actor, has died at 86

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Fred Willard, the comedic actor whose improv style kept him relevant for more than 50 years in films like 'œThis Is Spinal Tap,'ť 'œBest In Show'ť and 'œAnchorman,'ť has died. He was 86.

Willard's daughter, Hope Mulbarger, said in a statement Saturday that her father died peacefully Friday night. The cause of his death has not been released.

'œHe kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end,'ť Mulbarger said. 'œWe loved him so very much! We will miss him forever.'ť

Willard was rarely a leading man or even a major supporting character. He specialized in small, scene-stealing appearances.

As an arrogantly clueless sports announcer on 'œBest In Show,'ť his character seemed to clearly know nothing about the dogs he's supposed to talk about and asks his partner on-air: 'œHow much do you think I can bench?'ť He also played the character of Frank Dunphy, the goofy father of Phil in the ABC series 'œModern Family."

Willard was a four-time Emmy nominee for his roles in 'œWhat's Hot, What's Not,'ť 'œEverybody Loves Raymond,'ť 'œModern Family'ť and 'œThe Bold and the Beautiful.'ť

In Pixar's 2008 hit 'œWALL-E,'ť he voiced the character of Shelby Forthright, the CEO of a ubiquitous big-box chain called Buy'n'Large.

'œHow lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard's gifts,'ť said actress Jamie Lee Curtis on Twitter. She is married to Christopher Guest who directed the mockumentary films, 'œBest in Show'ť and 'œWaiting for Guffman.'ť

'œThanks for the deep belly laughs Mr. Willard,'ť she continued.

Willard's death comes nearly two years after his wife Mary Willard died at the age of 71. She was a playwright and TV writer, earning four Emmy nominations.

After his wife died, Willard questioned whether he would work again. But the beloved actor was brought on 'œJimmy Kimmel Live!'ť to mock President Donald Trump's 'œspace force.'ť It was a reprise role of the 1978 NBC show 'œSpace Force.'ť

'œThere was no man sweeter or funnier," Kimmel said on Twitter. 'œWe were so lucky to know Fred Willard and will miss his many visits."

In 2012, Willard had a brush with the law. The actor was arrested after being suspected of committing a lewd act at a Hollywood adult theater.

Willard was fired from a narrating job and had to complete a diversion program. He called the arrest 'œvery embarrassing'ť but insisted he did nothing wrong.

'œIt's the last time I'm going to listen to my wife when she says, `Why don't you go and see a movie?''ť Willard said during an appearance on Jimmy Fallon's NBC show 'œLate Night.'ť

Fallon was sympathetic toward Willard, calling him a 'œgood man" and one of his favorites.

Willard was continually beloved in Hollywood.

'œFred Willard was the funniest person that I've ever worked with," Steve Carell said on Twitter. 'œHe was a sweet, wonderful man."

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AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton contributed to this report.