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Fred Willard

Fred Willard

American actor and comedian (1933–2020)

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Why this is trending

Interest in “Fred Willard” spiked on Wikipedia on 2026-02-25.

Categorised under Entertainment, this article fits a familiar pattern. Articles in the entertainment category often trend when tied to award ceremonies, film releases, celebrity news, or viral social media moments.

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2026-01-27Peak: 8,9642026-02-25
30-day total: 96,590

Key Takeaways

  • Frederic Charles Willard (September 18, 1933 – May 15, 2020) was an American actor and comedian.
  • He also appeared in supporting roles in the comedy films Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), American Wedding (2003), and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004).
  • Early life Frederic Charles Willard was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 18, 1933.
  • Willard was raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
  • Willard graduated from the Kentucky Military Institute in 1951 and the Virginia Military Institute in 1955.

Frederic Charles Willard (September 18, 1933 – May 15, 2020) was an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his work with Christopher Guest in his mockumentary films This Is Spinal Tap (1984), Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), For Your Consideration (2006), and Mascots (2016). He also appeared in supporting roles in the comedy films Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), American Wedding (2003), and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004). On television, Willard received several Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his work on the sitcoms Everybody Loves Raymond and Modern Family.

Early life

Frederic Charles Willard was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 18, 1933. Willard's mother, Ruth (née Weinman), was a housewife. Willard was raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio. In 1945, when Fred was 12 years old, his father, Frederick Charles Willard, died.

Willard graduated from the Kentucky Military Institute in 1951 and the Virginia Military Institute in 1955. He was stationed in West Germany while serving in the United States Army.

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