John Aylward, 'ER' and 'The West Wing' actor, dies at 75: 'A great friend to many'
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Actor John Aylward, best known for his roles on âERâ and âThe West Wing,â has died. He was 75.
Aylward died at his Seattle home of natural causes on Monday, Aylwardâs agent Mitchell Stubbs confirmed to USA TODAY.
âJohn was a wonderful actor and a great friend to many,â Stubbs said in a statement. âHe was proud of his film and television work, although his life in the theatre was where he was the happiest."
Aylward landed his debut onscreen role in the television film âThe Secret Life of John Chapmanâ in 1976. He went on to appear in the dramedy series âNorthern Exposure,â as well as films âSeven Hours to Judgmentâ and âTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IIIâ before scoring the role of Dr. Donald Anspaugh in the medical drama âER.â
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The Seattle-born actor also made it to the White House in the final season of the Aaron Sorkin political drama âThe West Wing,â playing Barry Goodwin, former DNC chair and head of transition. Aylwardâs last role was Freddie Laffter in the USA Network crime drama âBriarpatch.â
Aylward graduated from the University of Washington in 1971 with a bachelorâs degree in drama, according to the universityâs official website. He co-founded the Empty Space Theatre in Seattle in 1973 and worked regularly as a company member of the Seattle Repertory Theatre before making it in the film and television world.
Aylwardâs theater chops helped pave his path to stardom, after âERâ producer Carol Flint asked him to audition for the show after spotting him in a Los Angeles production of "Psychopathia Sexualis" in 1996, according to AllFamous. Aylward also starred as Willy Loman in the Arthur Miller play âDeath of a Salesmanâ in 1998, per Film Reference.
Aylward is survived by his wife Mary Fields.
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