Fred Willard - Overview

Date of Birth: Sep 18, 1933

Place of Birth: Shaker Heights, Ohio, USA

Nationality: United States

Rate this Celebrity:

Slide to Rate:

Full Biography

Best known for his buttoned up professionals with no sense of their own cluelessness, actor Fred Willard emerged from the 1960s improv scene to become a critic's favorite and an admired comedy veteran. After earning an initial cult following as the dimwitted sidekick of talk show host Martin Mull in the cutting-edge parody "Fernwood 2-Night" (Syndicated, 1977-78), Willard fans generally caught glimpses of the actor in character roles as self-assured and wildly incorrect authority figures in unremarkable film and television comedies. But his supporting roles in the "mockumentary" style films of Christopher Guest - beginning with "This is Spinal Tap" (1984) - truly showcased Willard's unique gifts for creating memorable middle America characters largely through on-camera improvisation. Among his most beloved Guest-directed performances were that of a dog show sports commentator unschooled in the sport in "Best in Show" (2000) and as an overbearing entertainment news host in "For Your Consideration" (2006). Willard also received acclaim for guest-starring stints on "... Read More

Filmography (45)

The Magic of Belle Isle (2012)

Expecting Mary (2010)

Youth in Revolt (2010)

Holyman Undercover (2010)

Harold (2008)

WALL-E (2008)

Photos (1)

Milestones (48)

2010
Co-starred with Michael Cera and Jean Smart in the film adaptation of C.D. Payne's "Youth in Revolt"

2009
Guest-starred in ABC's "Modern Family"; earned an Emmy (2010) nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series

2008
Voiced the president of the Buynlarge Corporation in the Pixar animated film "WALL-E"

2007
Once again teamed with Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer for the spoof/parody film "Epic Movie"

2007
Cast as sportscaster, Marsh McGinley in the FOX series "Back to You"

2006
Teamed with Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer for the comedy spoof "Date Movie"

2005
Featured in the big screen adaptation of "Bewitched"

Photos From Last Movie (6)