Actor Fred Willard of ‘Modern Family,’ 'Best in Show’ dead at 86

Actor Fred Willard attends 'CATstravaganza featuring Hamilton's Cats' on April 21, 2018 in Hollywood, California.

Actor Fred Willard attends 'CATstravaganza featuring Hamilton's Cats' on April 21, 2018 in Hollywood, California.

Beloved actor and comedian Fred Willard has died at the age of 86.

A representative for Willard’s said he died of natural causes on Friday.

Willard’s only child, Hope Mulbarger, released a statement, saying, “My father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old. He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end.”

Willard appeared in numerous television shows and movies, including “Modern Family,” “This is Spinal Tap,” “Best in Show” and the “Anchorman” films.

“How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard’s gifts,” actress Jamie Lee Curtis wrote on Twitter. “He is with his missed Mary now. Thanks for the deep belly laughs Mr. Willard.”

“Fred Willard was the funniest person that I’ve ever worked with. He was a sweet, wonderful man,” Steve Carrell wrote on the social media platform.

Less than a week ago, Willard wrote on Twitter after the passing of entertainment figures Little Richard and Jerry Stiller.

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