Fred Willard dies: sport has always played a role in the life of the actor and comedian

Fred Willard's show business career spanned nearly six decades, which was longer than the drought of the NFL Browns 'championship, but not as long as the Indians' quest continued to win. another World Series title.

(Of course, he was able to feast on LeBron James and the Cavaliers by hosting an NBA championship in northeastern Ohio in 2016.)

Willard has ventured into the world of sports for a handful of his roles, and the delivery of his elegant announcer combined with comedic talent has made him an entertaining media character.

His death on Saturday at the age of 86 gave the world a good reason to return to the salient highlights.

"Best in Show" (2000)

Willard was the rude commentator on the dog show Buck Laughlin, who made fun of his, uh, unorthodox calls.

& # 39; When Billie defeated Bobby & # 39; (2001)

He was portrayed as televised sports legend Howard Cosell, who called the real "battle of the sexes" between tennis stars Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973 for ABC. Willard didn't think he was the right man for the job when he approached him to play Cosell.

“When it was first proposed, I said,“ I can't do Howard Cosell. You have to get a copier. ”They said,“ No, we love you. ”So I said, "Hell, anyone can do Howard Cosell," "he said during a question and answer session to promote the film (Posted by Entertainment Weekly

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Also in this Q&A, Willard noted that he worked with Cosell on ABC's "Battle of the Network Stars" in the early 1980s.

"Back to you" (2007-08)

Willard played Pittsburgh sports reporter Marsh McGinley (a rather cunning dig in his Cleveland fanaticism, right?) In the fleeting Fox series with Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton. In an interview promoting the show, Willard spoke of a trip he made to a landmark at the other end of Pennsylvania: the website 39; former Baker Bowl stadium in Philadelphia.

"There are photos of the stadium with this large factory on the left wall. It is an iconic image of the old stadium, and the factory is still there," said Willard. he said to the Philadelphia investigator. "The stadium is gone, so are the parking lots and everything, but it was very exciting to walk. There is a plaque that says it is the last stadium where Babe Ruth played."