Fred Willard
Birth Name:
Frederic Charles Willard
Birth Place:
Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States
Profession
Actor, Soundtrack
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
- Has excelled in many comic roles, often portraying exaggerated stereotypes and happy but stupid people
- 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
- 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
Awards
- 2000BSFC Award - Best Supporting Actor:Winner
- 2000Sierra Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2000NYFCC Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2001American Comedy Award - Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture:Winner
- 2001NSFC Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2003OFTA Television Award - Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2003Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2004FFCC Award - Best Ensemble Cast:Winner
- 2004Gold Derby Film Award - Ensemble Cast:Nominated
- 2004PFCS Award - Best Ensemble Acting:Nominated
- 2004Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2005Gold Derby TV Award - Comedy Guest Actor:Nominated
- 2005OFTA Television Award - Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2005Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2006Gotham Independent Film Award - Best Ensemble Performance:Nominated
- 2010Gold Derby TV Award - Comedy Guest Actor of the Decade:Nominated
- 2010OFTA Television Award - Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2010Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2012BTVA Special/DVD Voice Acting Award - Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short:Nominated
- 2012OFTA Television Award - Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series:Nominated
- 2013OFTA Television Award - Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2015Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series:Winner
- 2020Gold Derby TV Award - Comedy Guest Actor:Nominated
- 2020OFTA Television Award - Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2020Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series:Nominated