Fred Willard (1933-2020) was an American actor, comedian, and voice actor, noted for his exceptional improvisational skills and his deadpan comedic style. His career, which spanned over five decades, is inextricably linked to the mockumentaries directed by Christopher Guest, where he was a key member of the recurring ensemble of actors in films such as *Waiting for Guffman*, *Best in Show*, and *A Mighty Wind*, portraying characters with a naive and often misplaced enthusiasm. His other notable film roles include Ed Harken in *Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy* and voicing the CEO of Buy n Large in the Pixar film *WALL-E*. On television, he received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations: three for his recurring role on *Everybody Loves Raymond* and one for his part as Frank Dunphy, the main character's father, in the acclaimed sitcom *Modern Family*.