
FRED WILLARD
September 18, 1933 – May 15, 2020
Shaker Heights, Ohio
86 years old

“I’m just gonna drive wherever the wind blows me, which is usually into the next lane.”
— Fred Willard as Frank Dunphy in “Modern Family”
With a unique voice and an even more unique sense of humor, there was no mistaking Fred Willard when you saw or heard him. Probably best known for his role in Christopher Guest’s “Best In Show,” the man had a vast career, capped off with a run on the ever-popular “Modern Family” as Phil Dunphy’s father, Frank. Other highlight performances in his career include roles in “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Youth In Revolt,” “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,” and the only live-action role in the animated feature, “WALL-E.” His wife, Mary Willard, passed away in 2018. Both leave behind daughter Hope Mulbarger.

FAVORITE PERFORMANCE

LAST PERFORMANCE SEEN

BIGGEST AWARD WIN


FRED WILLARD’S FILMOGRAPHY
1967 | Teenage Mother | Coach |
1969 | Model Shop | Gas Station Attendant (uncredited) |
1970 | Jenny | — |
1973 | The Harrad Experiment | The Ace Trucking Company (uncredited) |
1974 | Harrad Summer | — |
1975 | Hustle | Interrogator |
1976 | Chesty Anderson U.S. Navy | Peter Linden |
1976 | Silver Streak | Jerry Jarvis |
1977 | Fun with Dick and Jane | Bob |
1977 | Cracking Up | — |
1979 | Americathon | Vincent Vanderhoff |
1980 | How to Beat the High Cost of Living | Robert |
1980 | First Family | Presidential Assistant Feebleman |
1982 | Movie Madness | President Robert Fogarty |
1983 | Imps* (segment “3-Mile Island People”) | Dad |
1984 | This Is Spinal Tap | Colonel On Military Base |
1985 | Moving Violations | Terrence ‘Doc’ Williams |
1987 | Roxanne | Mayor Deebs |
1988 | Portrait of a White Marriage | Hal Harrison |
1992 | High Strung | Insurance Salesman |
1996 | Waiting for Guffman | Ron Albertson |
1998 | Permanent Midnight | Craig Ziffer |
1998 | Elvis Is Alive! I Swear I Saw Him Eating Ding Dongs Outside the Piggly Wiggly’s | Interviewee |
1999 | Can’t Stop Dancing | Chester |
1999 | Idle Hands | Dad Tobias |
1999 | Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me | Mission Commander |
2000 | Dropping Out | Paul Blanchard |
2000 | Chump Change | Steve’s Manager |
2000 | Best in Show | Buck Laughlin |
2001 | The Wedding Planner | Basil St. Mosely |
2001 | Teddy Bears’ Picnic | Senator Roger Dickey |
2001 | How High | Philip Huntley |
2002 | The Year That Trembled | rank Woods |
2003 | A Mighty Wind | Mike LaFontaine |
2003 | American Wedding | Harold Flaherty |
2003 | Nobody Knows Anything! | Mr. McClintock |
2004 | Killer Diller | Ned |
2004 | 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover | Bucky Brandt |
2004 | Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle | Dr. Willoughby |
2004 | Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy | Ed Harken |
2005 | Chicken Little | Melvin – Alien Dad (voice) |
2005 | Lovewrecked | Ben Taylor |
2006 | Date Movie | Bernie Funkyerdoder |
2006 | Church Ball | Bishop Linderman |
2006 | Monster House | Dad (voice) |
2006 | Ira & Abby | Michael Willoughby |
2006 | For Your Consideration | Chuck |
2006 | I’ll Believe You | Mr. Fratus |
2007 | Epic Movie | Aslo |
2007 | Fighting Words | Longfellow |
2007 | I Could Never Be Your Woman | Marty |
2008 | The P.A. (Short) | Henry Gardiner |
2008 | WALL-E | Shelby Forthright |
2008 | Harold | Dr. Pratt |
2009 | Versailles (Short) | Hoyt |
2009 | Scouts Honor | Game Master |
2009 | Youth In Revolt | Mr. Ferguson |
2009 | School Gyrls | Mr. Lockwood |
2010 | A Very Mary Christmas | Jerry Zee |
2010 | Holyman Undercover | Richard |
2011 | Fred & Vinnie | Movie Star |
2012 | The Magic of Belle Isle | Al Kaiser |
2013 | Max Rose | Jim Clark |
2013 | Dealin’ with Idiots | Marty |
2013 | The Bird Men | Park President |
2013 | Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues | Ed Harken |
2014 | The Yank | Peter Murphy |
2014 | Planes: Fire & Rescue | Secretary Of The Interior (voice) |
2014 | All Stars | John Carson |
2015 | Russell Madness | TJ |
2015 | Bachelors | Uncle Ulysses |
2016 | Fifty Shades of Black | Gary |
2016 | Here Comes Rusty | Mak |
2016 | Mascots | Greg Gammons, Jr. |
2018 | The Bobby Roberts Project | Ben Brinstein |



FRED WILLARD‘S SHORTS
1987 | Ray’s Male Heterosexual Dance Hall | Tom Osborne | Short |
1991 | Louise Duart: The Secret Life of Barry’s Wife | Barry Reynolds | TV Short |
1995 | Prehysteria! 3 | Thomas MacGregor | Video |
1996 | The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper | Wally Winkle (voice) | TV Short |
2004 | Sesame Street: Happy Healthy Monsters | Voice | Video |
2004 | The Nutcracker and the Mouseking | Bubble (English version, voice) | Video |
2004 | Wake Up, Ron Burgundy | Ed Harken | Video |
2006 | My Gym Partner’s a Monkey | Burt | TV Short |
2006 | Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn’t Happen | Santa Claus / Dog Catcher (voice) | Video |
2007 | The Emperor’s New School | Voice | TV Short |
2008 | The P.A. | Henry Gardiner | Short |
2008 | The Adventures of Captain Cross Dresser | Captain Cross Dresser (voice) | TV Short |
2009 | Versailles | Hoyt | Short |
2010 | Hermie and Friends: Antonio Meets His Match | Voice | Video |
2011 | G.I. Joe: Renegades | Mayor Lockridge | TV Short |
2011 | Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur | Mr. Hubley (voice) | Video |
2012 | Flag Day: A History in Flags with Fred Willard | — | Short |
2012 | The Romney Boys Election Eve Special! | Mitt Romney | Short |
2013 | Parent News with Fred Willard | — | Short |
2013 | Parent News 2: What Is the Internet? | Scott Leachman | Short |
2013 | Parent News with Fred Willard: The Halloween Edition | — | Short |
2013 | The Thanksgivukkah Movie Trailer | — | Short |
2013 | Home Stuff | — | Short |
2014 | Wish Wizard | Hope Giver | Short |
2014 | I’m Will Ferrell | Will Ferrell / Self | Short |
2015 | Clint Howard Reboots Pippi Longstocking with Milla Jovovich and Fred Willard | Harvey | Short |
2016 | Hart of America | — | TV Short |
2016 | Emmett in Peopleland | Fred Weirdly | Short |
2016-2019 | The Loud House | Pop-Pop (voice) | TV Short |
2017 | Oh Damn | Mysterious Man | Short |
2017-2018 | Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures | Mr. Doozy (voice) | TV Short |
2017-2018 | Milo Murphy’s Law | Grandpa Murphy | TV Short |
2018 | Lovesick Fool – Love in the Age of Like | Smitty (voice) | Short |
2018 | Skylanders Academy | Announcer | TV Short |



FRED WILLARD‘S TELEVISION MOVIES
1974 | ABC Funshine Saturday Sneak Peek | PSSST Santa Claus | Television movie |
1976 | How to Break Up a Happy Divorce | Lance Colson | Television movie |
1977 | Escape from Bogen County | Pearson | Television movie |
1978 | Space Force | Captain Thomas Woods | Television movie |
1979 | Flatbed Annie & Sweetiepie: Lady Truckers | Jack LaRosa | Television movie |
1980 | The Wild Wacky Wonderful World of Winter | Unknown | Television movie |
1981 | Pen ‘n’ Inc. | Ralph | Television movie |
1981 | The Perfect Woman | King Korger | Television movie |
1985 | Lots of Luck | A.J. Foley | Television movie |
1985 | The History of White People in America | Hal Harrison | Television movie |
1986 | The History of White People in America: Volume II | Hal Harrison | Television movie |
1988 | Superman 50th Anniversary | Finn Howard | Television documentary |
1988 | Merrill Markoe’s Guide to Glamorous Living | Husband | Television movie |
1989 | I, Martin Short, Goes Hollywood | Man #2 at Party | Television movie |
1992 | A Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell-Out | Lt. Bob Hookstratten | Television movie |
1994 | Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die | Reginald Cobbles | Television movie |
1994 | Sodbusters | Clarence Gentry | Television movie |
1996 | Back to Back | Loan Officer | Television movie |
1997 | steve.oedekerk.com | Contestant | Television movie |
1997 | Breast Men | Talk Show Host (uncredited) | Television movie |
1998 | Contempt of Court | News Anchor | Television movie |
2000 | The Pooch and the Pauper | President | Television movie |
2001 | When Billie Beat Bobby | Howard Cosell | Television movie |
2003 | Spellbound | — | Television movie |
2003 | Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure | Professor Doornitz | Television movie |
2004 | Frasier: Analyzing the Laughter | Analyst | Television movie |
2005 | Wiener Park | Don Park | Television movie |
2006 | Re-Animated | Milt Appleday | Television movie |
2006 | Play Nice | — | Television movie |
2007 | Billy & Mandy’s Big Boogey Adventure | The Boogey Man (voice) | Television movie |
2009 | Rent Control | Uncle Walter | Television movie |
2010 | Lilly’s Light | Moylin | Television movie |
2011 | A Valentine’s Date | Paul | Television movie |
2011 | Accidentally in Love | Dick Brocton | Television movie |
2011 | My Future Boyfriend | Bob | Television movie |
2011 | 12 Wishes of Christmas | Jack Valora | Television movie |
2012 | I, Martin Short, Goes Home | Mason Macgillivray | Television movie |
2013 | Doin’ It Yourself | Phil Milgrim | Television movie |
2014 | Old Soul | Hector | Television movie |
2015 | The Homeless Detective | Fred Weirdly | Television movie |



FRED WILLARD‘S TELEVISION SERIES
1966 | Pistols ‘n’ Petticoats | Ben | Episode: “Quit Shootin’ Folks” |
1966 | Hey, Landlord | Danny Subanski | Episode: “The Big Fumble” |
1968 | Premiere | Bower | Episode: “Operation Greasepaint” |
1968 | Get Smart | Lundy | Episode: “A Tale of Two Tails” |
1970 | Love, American Style | Douglas Wiley / Shelley Noodleman | Episode: “Love and the Nuisance” |
1971 | The Barbara McNair Show | The Ace Trucking Company | Episode: “The Five Stairsteps” |
1973 | The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour | Regular | — |
1974 | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Professor Koffka / Danny | 2 Episodes |
1975 | The Bob Newhart Show | John Emil Tobin | Episode: “Tobin’s Back in Town” |
1975 | Karen | Ritter | Episode: “Whistle Blowing” |
1976 | Good Heavens | P.J. | Episode: “The Big Break” |
1976 | Laverne & Shirley | Man in Bathroom / Charles | 2 Episodes |
1976-1977 | Sirota’s Court | H.R. ‘Bud’ Nugent | 13 Episodes |
1977 | Forever Fernwood | Jerry Hubbard | TV Series |
1977 | We’ve Got Each Other | Shop Owner | Episode: “The Collector” |
1977 | Tabitha | Mr. Macho | Episode: “Arrival of Nancy” |
1977 | Fernwood Tonight | Jerry Hubbard | 44 Episodes |
1978 | America 2-Night | Jerry Hubbard | 65 Episodes |
1979 | Sweepstakes | Don | Episode: “#1.8” |
1979 | Salem’s Lot | Larry Crockett | TV Series |
1981-1986 | The Love Boat | Nil Logan / Lou / Richard Henderson | 3 Episodes |
1984 | Mama’s Family | Willie Potts | Episode: “Mama Buys a Car” |
1984 | SCTV Channel | Fred Winston | Episode: “Stalag SCTV” |
1984 | Trapper John, M.D. | K.K. Laird | Episode: “Moonlighting Becomes You” |
1984 | Spencer | — | Episode: “Unaired Pilot” |
1985 | Faerie Tale Theatre | Paul | Episode: “The Three Little Pigs” |
1985 | George Burns Comedy Week | Fred | Episode: “Home for Dinner” |
1986 | New Love, American Style | — | Episode: “Love and the Lamborghini” |
1986 | Fast Times | Gus Pantelis | Episode: “Secret Romance” |
1987 | Fame | Casper Wintergreen | Episode: “Ian’s Girl” |
1987-1989 | D.C. Follies | The Bartender | 22 Episodes |
1988 | Out of This World | Milton Wyler | Episode: “The Box Is Missing” |
1988 | My Secret Identity | Ray Bennett | Episode: “For Old Time’s Sake” |
1989 | Not Necessarily the News | Ken | 2 Episodes |
1990 | Access America | Host | TV Series |
1991 | Murder, She Wrote | Lt. Phillips | Episode: “The Taxman Cometh” |
1991 | The Golden Girls | Bob | Episode: “Dateline: Miami” |
1991 | Harry and the Hendersons | Chick Fox | Episode: “Brett Hits Home” |
1991 | Nurses | Crazy Jim ‘Dr. Robinson’ | Episode: “Friends and Lovers” |
1992 | Married… with Children | Stan | Episode: “My Dinner with Anthrax” |
1992 | Dream On | Fenton Harley | Episode: “Up All Night” |
1993 | The Ben Stiller Show | Dad | Episode: “At the Beach” |
1993 | The New WKRP in Cincinnati | Rich Braithwaite | Episode: “Nancy’s Old Man” |
1993 | The Jackie Thomas Show | Hatfield Walker | 2 Episodes |
1994 | Dave’s World | Bud | Episode: “Just Kidding” |
1994-1996 | Family Matters | Vice Principal Mallet | 3 Episodes |
1995 | The Mommies | John | Episode: “The Dating Pool” |
1995 | Murphy Brown | Dick | Episode: “Dick and Dottie” |
1995-1997 | Roseanne | Scott | 8 Episodes |
1996 | Friends | Mr. Lipson | Episode: “The One After the Superbowl: Part 1” |
1996 | Sister, Sister | Mr. Mitushka | 3 Episodes |
1996 | Clueless | Joe Pasadine | Episode: “City Beautification” |
1996 | Saved by the Bell: The New Class | Mr. Huffington | Episode: “Stealing Screech” |
1996-1997 | Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman | President Garner | 3 Episodes |
1997 | Diagnosis Murder | Harry Fellows | Episode: “Must Kill TV” |
1997 | Step by Step | Bert Lambert | Episode: “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” |
1997 | The Weird Al Show | Award Show Host | Episode: “The Competition” |
1998 | The Wayans Bros. | Dick Ferndale | Episode: “All in the Family Feud” |
1998 | Sabrina the Teenage Witch | Bobby Calzone | Episode: “Rumor Mill” |
1998 | Oh, Baby | Dr. Foster | Episode: “The Vacation” |
1998 | Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place | Frank Farber | Episode: “Two Guys, a Girl and a Vacation” |
1998 | City Guys | Mr. Brown | Episode: “A Noble Profession” |
1998-1999 | Hercules | Vic (Voice) | 4 Episodes |
1998-1999 | Mad About You | Henry Vincent | 5 Episodes |
1999 | The Simpsons | Wally Kogen (Voice) | Episode: “Sunday, Cruddy Sunday” |
1999 | Just Shoot Me! | Larry | Episode: “Hostess to Murder” |
1999 | Good vs Evil | Sam Kleinhause | Episode: “Airplane” |
1999 | Love & Money | Dr. Fielding | Episode: “Make Room for Daddy” |
1999-2000 | Ladies Man | Larry Little | 2 Episodes |
2000 | Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | Pa (Voice) | 3 Episodes |
2000 | The Hughleys | Richard Jacobson / Applegate | 2 Episodes |
2001 | Bette | Jasper Perkins | Episode: “Big Business” |
2001 | Ally McBeal | Dr. Harold Madison | 2 Episodes |
2001 | The Fighting Fitzgeralds | Cutch | Episode: “Blood, Sweat & Fitz” |
2001 | The Downer Channel | Mr. McVoid (Voice) | Episode: “Pilot” |
2001 | Girlfriends | Dr. Percy Bales | 2 Episodes |
2001 | The Legend of Tarzan | Baruti (voice) | 2 Episodes |
2001 | Inside Schwartz | Dick Newton | Episode: “The Pinch Hitter” |
2001-2002 | Undeclared | Professor Duggan | 2 Episodes |
2001-2002 | Maybe It’s Me | Jerry Stage | 22 Episodes |
2001-2008 | King of the Hill | Various Characters | 7 Episodes |
2002 | Dexter’s Laboratory | F.R.E.D. (voice) | Episode: “Boy Named Sue/Lab on the Run” |
2002 | Hey Arnold! | Sammy Redmond (voice) | Episode: “Harold vs. Patty/Rich Guy” |
2002 | Family Guy | Dave Campbell (voice) | 2 Episodes |
2002 | Teamo Supremo | Mr. Paulsen (voice) | 4 Episodes |
2003 | That ’70s Show | Charlie | Episode: “The Battle of Evermore” |
2003 | Watching Ellie | Fred | 2 Episodes |
2003-2004 | A Minute with Stan Hooper | Fred Hawkins | 13 Episodes |
2003-2005 | Everybody Loves Raymond | Hank MacDougall | 14 Episodes |
2003-2005 | MADtv | Duke Flickman / Gene St. John | 2 Episodes |
2003-2007 | Kim Possible | Jack Hench (voice) | 3 Episodes |
2004 | The Drew Carey Show | Fred Tuttle | Episode: “Arrivederci, Italy” |
2004-2005 | The Batman | Speedway Announcer / Ross Darren (voice) | 2 Episodes |
2004-2005 | Saturday Night Live | ‘Bear City’ Narrator (voice, uncredited) | 5 Episodes |
2004-2007 | The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy | Boogey / Boogie Man (voice) | 2 Episodes |
2005 | Brandy & Mr. Whiskers | Dad Howler (voice) | Episode: “The Howler Bunny” |
2005 | Tom Goes to the Mayor | Garry Friendly (voice) | Episode: “Vice Mayor” |
2006 | Campus Ladies | Doctor | Episode: “Spring Break” |
2006 | Come on Over | Dr. Fred Silliness | Episode: “Brain Freeze” |
2006 | Fred Willard’s American Festivals | — | TV Series |
2007 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Various Characters | Episode: “15.21” |
2007 | Stargate SG-1 | Jacek | Episode: “Family Ties” |
2007 | Slacker Cats | News Anchor | Episode: “Buckley and Eddie Deceased” |
2007 | Odd Job Jack | Norm | Episode: “Jack and the Magic Pencil” |
2007-2008 | Back to You | Marsh McGinley | 17 Episodes |
2007-2009 | Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | Mancierge / Tragg | 2 Episodes |
2007-2010 | Betsy’s Kindergarten Adventures | Bus Driver Bob | 17 Episodes |
2008 | The Boondocks | Mr. Joe Petto (voice) | Episode: “The S-Word” |
2008 | Handy Manny | Dwayne Bouffant (voice) | Episode: “Valentine’s Day/Mr. Lopart Moves In” |
2008 | Pushing Daisies | The Great Herrmann | Episode: “Oh Oh Oh… It’s Magic” |
2008 | Worst Week | Paul | 2 Episodes |
2008-2009 | Transformers: Animated | Swindle (voice) | 2 Episodes |
2008-2009 | Free Radio | Dale Knutson | 2 Episodes |
2009 | Everybody Hates Chris | Police Officer | Episode: “Everybody Hates the Car” |
2009 | Wizards of Waverly Place | Mr. Stuffleby | 2 Episodes |
2009-2010 | The Midnight Show | Doctor J. Marcus | 3 Episodes |
2009-2020 | Modern Family | Frank Dunphy | 14 Episodes |
2010 | Chuck | Craig Turner | Episode: “Chuck Versus the Role Models” |
2010-2011 | Glory Daze | Doctor | 2 Episodes |
2010-2011 | Funny or Die Presents… | Professor / Jeff Baker | 3 Episodes |
2010-2019 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Various Characters | 9 Episodes |
2011 | Retired at 35 | Peter Dixon | 2 Episodes |
2011 | Franklin & Bash | Wallace Clayton | Episode: “She Came Upstairs to Kill Me” |
2011 | Versailles | Hoyt | 7 Episodes |
2011 | The Closer | Santa Jack | Episode: “You Have the Right to Remain Jolly” |
2011 | In Gayle We Trust | Pete | Episode: “Gayle and the Shadow” |
2011-2012 | Easy to Assemble | Sigvard Thorsten | 3 Episodes |
2012 | Raising Hope | Mr. Swift | Episode: “Mrs. Smartypants” |
2012 | The Life & Times of Tim | Judd (voice) | Episode: “Action Packed Heist/Fall Foliage” |
2012 | Rob | George | Episode: “Dad Comes to Visit” |
2012 | Breaking In | Marty Mann | Episode: “The Legend of Hurley’s Gold” |
2012 | The Cleveland Show | Gary (voice) | Episode: “Menace II Secret Society” |
2012 | Hot in Cleveland | Doctor Hill | Episode: “A Box Full of Puppies” |
2013 | Good Luck Charlie | Herb Pickler | Episode: “All Fall Down” |
2013 | Community | Alter-Pierce | Episode: “History 101” |
2013 | Family Tree | Mike Morton | 3 Episodes |
2013 | Drunk History | Deep Throat | Episode: “Washington D.C.” |
2013 | Horneytown, U.S.A. | Narrator | Episode: “Intercourse with Hooker” |
2013 | Good Morning Today | Daniel Stutzman | Episode: “#1.4” |
2014 | You’ll Be Fine | Mark Matthews | Episode: “The Matthews” |
2014 | Black Jesus | Mr. Jimmy Maxwell, Landlord | Episode: “Love Thy Enemy Part 2” |
2014 | The Birthday Boys | Archbishop | Episode: “Getting Preachy” |
2014 | Christmastown USA | Voice | TV Series |
2014 | More Christmastown USA | Voice | TV Series |
2014-2015 | The Bold and the Beautiful | John Forrester | 7 Episodes |
2014-2015 | Review | Jack T. Walthall | 5 Episodes |
2014-2016 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Merlin / Johnny Truckdaughter | 2 Episodes |
2014-2016 | TripTank | Various Characters (voice) | 5 Episodes |
2015 | Kevin from Work | Roger Trousdale | Episode: “Roommates from Work” |
2015 | Live from Lincoln Center | Cap’n Andy Hawks | Episode: “Kern & Hammerstein’s Show Boat” |
2016 | Hungrytown U.S.A. | Narrator | TV Series |
2016 | The 5th Quarter | Jerry Hymowitz | Episode: “The Farewell” |
2016 | The Odd Couple | Fred Langford | 2 Episodes |
2017 | SuperMansion | Dean Worthers / Mascot Tryout Judge (voice) | Episode: “School Me Once” |
2017 | New Girl | Beezus | Episode: “Five Stars for Beezus” |
2017 | Tim and Eric’s Bedtime Stories | Dan | Episode: “The Demotion” |
2018 | Corporate | Bill Hathaway | Episode: “The Long Meeting” |
2019 | I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson | New Joe | Episode: “It’s the Cigars You Smoke That Are Going to Give You Cancer” |
2019 | Historical Roasts | God | Episode: “Anne Frank” |
2020 | Space Force | Fred Naird | 10 Episodes |


