Fred Willard

Childhood ambition was to be a pro baseball player; played in college and in the Army. Is an alum of numerous improv troupes, including Second City and Ace Trucking Company, which he cofounded. Received an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his turn as a buffoonish TV commentator in Best in Show (2000). Major comic influences include Bob Hope, Red Skelton and Jonathan Winters. Often works with comic Martin Mull. Has appeared more than 50 times on The… Show more Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Appeared in four of director Christopher Guest's mockumentary films: Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000),  A Mighty Wind (2003) and For Your Consideration (2006). The two also appeared in the mother of all mockumentaries, director Rob Reiner's This Is Spinal Tap (1984). In 2010, appeared on the comedy Web site "Funny or Die," playing a doltish dean welcoming freshmen to college. Is an animal-rights advocate; starred in an animal birth-control public-service announcement for PETA. ~ Rovi

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