Fred Willard Biography

Fast Facts

• Actors and Others for Animals honored him with the Man of the Year Award in 2008
• Along with his wife, he was honored with the Golden Star Award in 2010 for considerable, ongoing dedication to charity works and non-profit organizations
• Graduated from the Kentucky Military Institute and the Virginia Military Institute and served a tour in the army as a U․S․ soldier
• Quote: "That’s what I like about being an actor, when it comes time for me to say my line, everyone else has to be quiet․"
• PBS fired him from the "Market Warriors" series after he was arrested for indecent exposure at an adult theater, though no charges were filed against him
• Skilled at sketch comedy, he appeared in dozens of sketches on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and was a founding member of the improvisational comedy group Ace Trucking Company
• Has excelled in many comic roles, often portraying exaggerated stereotypes and happy but stupid people
• Is an alumnus of the improvisational comedy enterprise "The Second City․"
• Reported that the audience at a screening of the first film he appeared in, an exploitation film called "Teenage Mother," booed when his character stopped a sexual assault of the female lead character
• Works with charities and non-profit organizations including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, City of Hope, John Wayne Cancer Society and PETA