John Aylward - star of The West Wing and ER - has died at the age of 75.
The actor, who had a career which spanned over four decades, died overnight at his home in Seattle on Monday, according to entertainment news outlet Deadline.
Aylward's wife, Mary Fields, told his long-term agent Mitchell K. Stubbs of his death, which was due to his declining health.
Stubbs told Deadline about his passing: "I was shocked. He was a wonderful actor and a phenomenal human being. He was a dream client, a friend and a dream person."
Stubbs also took to Twitter to announce Aylward's passing on Wednesday, writing: "Received a devastating call from Mary Fields, John Aylward's wife.
"This kind man and wonderful actor has left us. Very grateful to have known and worked with you, sir. RIP."
Born and raised in Seattle, he graduated from the Professional Actor's Training Program at the University of Washington in 1970 before becoming one of the founders of Seattle's Empty Space Theatre three years later.
He was best known for his role as Dr. Donald Anspaugh in medical drama ER, playing the character from 1996 to 2008.
Anspaugh was a cardiothoracic surgeon at County General and a member of the hospital board as well as chief of staff.
According to Deadline, Aylward joined ER after the show's co-producer Carol Flynt offered him an audition after watching him in the 1996 production of Psychopathia Sexualis in Los Angeles, which earned him the 1996 Drama Logue Award for outstanding performance.
Aylward was also known for his role as former Democratic National Committee chairman Barry Goodwin in political drama The West Wing from 2005 to 2006.
He also had several minor roles in films such as Niles in the 1993 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, Sheriiff Haynes in Finding Graceland, Dr. Banks in Armageddon and most recently, The Way Back in 2020.
In addition, Aylward was the voice of Dr. Arne Magnusson in the video game Half-Life 2: Episode Two.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Stubbs added: "John was a wonderful actor and a great friend to many.
"He was proud of his film and television work, although his life in the theater was where he was the happiest."
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