1093 replies to this topic

[RLC65]

CNN reporting John dead of a heart attack. Terrible loss for his family and for the WW as well.

[Souris]

I just posted a link to a story in his thread.

Terrible, terrible news. It makes me so very sad.

It's so hard to believe. I was so impressed with him, as usual, on Sunday's ep. He was as likable as he was a fine actor.

Edited by Souris, Dec 16, 2005 @ 6:10 PM.

[renegadetern]

::sadface::

[MiniBristow47]

John Spencer was a fantastic actor and seemed like a genuinely nice guy. I'm crying right now.

[trojan69]

I know it's ridiculous to believe an actor can be a part of my family, yet I feel the loss in this way.

The man's devotion to truth, as I understand it, was an example to me.

I pray he was received with much love by a higher power.

[chimaera]

Oh man. The man was a great actor. Sad, sad news. He was my favorite on the show!

Edited by chimaera, Dec 16, 2005 @ 6:14 PM.

[president2032]

I wept during his heart attack scene in season 6, i'm devastated, he was by far my favorite character. :cries:

[goldengateblonde]

I just heard the news.

I haven't watched TWW since the middle of season 5 (die-hard Sorkin fan here) but my reaction to the news was to gasp and say, "Leo! No!"

Man, I'm bummed. If things on TWW are as they were a couple years ago, he was one of the backbones of the show.

[Lariet]

We just saw this on the wire up here at my newspaper, and everyone's flipping out. This is so horrible. I loved him!

[marymary]

I cannot believe this. I feel like I knew him, and I can't imagine how it must be for those who worked with him. He was such a wonderful actor and seemed to be a wonderful person. Horrible...

[witchofnovember]

I haven't been into this thread in months and not as a regular in years.

I had stopped watching The West Wing as a die hard fan, but did catch it peripherally over the last two years.

John Spencer was, by far, one of the primary reasons I watched this show. And I agree with trojan69 in that Leo, and by virtue of that, John, felt like part of the family.

He was truly an excellent actor and, from what I have read, a stand-up member of the human race.

So exceptionally sad.

Edited by witchofnovember, Dec 16, 2005 @ 6:11 PM.

[jeweljss]

I'm completely in shock right now. He was a wonderful actor, the show will never be the same.

[Jessiela]

I loved seeing interviews with him because he would smile the entire time. I'll miss that smile.

I'm going home to watch Bartlet for America.

[nerima]

My heart is just breaking. This is so incredibly sad.

[caitlish]

I really am crushed by this. He was an amazing actor and my thoughts/prayers/sympathies go out to his family - off screen and on. The irony of it is sickening. I called my mother and she couldn't believe it either.

RIP John Spencer.
We will miss you.

[BrendanLeonard]

I saw this on another board and my first thought was "Yeah, it's got to be a different John Spencer."

I love Sheen and the others, but Spencer was the reason I got hooked in the first place--it was the scene with Karen Larsen.

And then there was Noel, with the guy in the hole, Bartlet For America, his comedic timing in so many more episodes, and the masterful scene on the steps in "25."

He was the reason I fell in love again with politics and history after years of cynicism--I believed him when he talked about a good man being able to get elected, and that was what sustained me through the entire election season last year, and after.

He really was the reason I kept watching when Sorkin left--TWOP nailed it when they said he could handle anything that Wells threw at him. And now he's gone. Guess there's really no reason to watch the show anymore, is there?

I don't normally get upset over celebrities dying (last time I got this upset was when Warren Zevon passed), but this was so sudden and I was such a fan and he seemed like such a nice guy--I really hoped to meet him someday--that I feel like I've been punched in the gut.

I think tonight calls for a "Best of Leo" marathon.

"As long as I got a job, you got a job, understand?" Goddamnit.

[jcsw]

Just terrible. I am so sad. Crying at work with co-workers acting confused.
What a loss. What will the show do now? The cast will never be the same. I can't imagine how upset the cast is. I am guessing we will feel this loss until the show is off the air.
Goodbye good man.

Edited by jcsw, Dec 16, 2005 @ 6:32 PM.

[WolverineGal]

Goddamnit.

I'll second that.

How often Leo was the voice of reason. How often he was the one that kept the whole thing from jumping the tracks.

Edited by WolverineGal, Dec 16, 2005 @ 6:29 PM.

[2MuchTV]

Such sad, shocking news.

He left behind such a tremendous legacy of fine work that anyone would be proud of.

He'll certainly be missed.

[OldEllen]

I just can't believe he's gone. My sister just e-mailed me that she feels foolish for the amount of pain she feels, and I answered her it's because he was a member of the family, even before West Wing (back in the L.A. Law days). I'm absolutely numb.

[JonsBabege]

OMG, how incredibly sad. He will be missed.

[Phenobarbara]

Oh my god, I just heard. I just have no words. I am in complete shock. My co-worker and I feel like we just lost a family member. This is terrible, terrible news. Wow. RIP, John Spencer. We love you and we will miss you.

[Wendy P.]

This is so sad. Especially after seeing him go through a heart attack on screen, now we know he did it in real life.

I feel so insensitive right now. When I read the story, the first thing I thought was "Well who is gonna be the running mate now?"

[Nemicorn]

I had the good fortune to 'meet' the talented Mr. Spencer, just before the West Wing began its celebrated run (He was mostly known from "LA Law" at the time. I was living in Venice Beach and ran into him on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

We did not speak. In LA, you do not go running up to an actor and make a scene. If you happen to exchange glances, you smile and nod as if to say "I recognize and appreciate your work, I won't hassle you." He nodded and smiled back, the slightly uneven smirk that was his trademark.

For some reason or other, that wry smile of his is now frozen in my memory. He was a gifted and steadfast actor, who elevated the series. I feel like I have lost, not a friend, but an admired associate. There is much left unsaid.

It will be interesting to see what the writers do with what they are left to. It would be to his credit to make something of this, and to make these final few episodes of the season (and any future season) a tribute to his work and talent.

[Krismarie]

I just... I am in shock right now. I can't believe it. He was such an amazing actor and he will be missed so much...

[SBC]

This is such devastating news. Leo/John felt like family to me. That smile could light up the universe.

So sad that he is gone at an early age. How tragic for the cast and crew, his friends, and family.

John Spencer was a class act and Leo was a prince. Spencer created one of the most intriguing, moral characters in television history. He will be sorely missed.

[BW Manilowe]

Godspeed, John (& Leo). You (both the actor & the character) were 1 of the best.

[stringbeanjen]

I am in complete shock. Never did I expect a member of the cast to pass while the show was still in production. And especially such an important member. John Spencer surpassed his role as Leo on the West Wing. He felt like an uncle to me and I never even knew him. His talent and ability to connect with his audience were remarkable. I am truly saddened at his death, and I hope his life is treated with the honor and respect it deserves.

[tomorrow]

Everyone else has said wonderful eloquent things. I'm kind of stunned right now.
John Spencer was amazing. May he rest in peace.