Remembering John Spencer

[AtheistAntony]

The brilliant John Spencer would have been 63 today.

Unbelievably it's been four years since his passing... that time has really gone by quickly.

He had many great roles, but he will always be Leo McGarry to me (and probably most other people).

 

[Data Holmes]

A great and under appreciated actor who went way too soon. Leo McGarry was his crowning achievement.

 

[The Grinch Doctor]

Everyone gives great praise to the likes of Martin Sheen and Bradley Whitford for The West Wing, but honestly the show would not have been half as good if John Spencer was not in it. He gave the show ethos. He'll be forever missed.

 

[Data Holmes]

Everyone gives great praise to the likes of Martin Sheen and Bradley Whitford for The West Wing, but honestly the show would not have been half as good if John Spencer was not in it. He gave the show ethos. He'll be forever missed.

So true. out of the whole show, it could have lived without Sheen really. Spencer was the true corner stone of that case and his reduced presence in later seasons showed that fact.

 

[Emher]

I'm glad someone remembered. I liked him even before The West Wing, but with that show and the performance as Leo he rocketed into my absolute top all time favorites. Fantastic actor, and while sad it feels fitting that his last season on the show was the show's last season.

There's a moment in the fourth episode of the show where Leo's wife says she's leaving him. As she's leaving he's asking here some questions and finally he ends up asking "Will you call me before you go to sleep?" And there's a quiver in his voice to the degree that the voice almost breaks. It's just masterful acting. He has tons of moments throughout the series, but that is one that's stuck in my mind and that gets me every time.

A true master actor. I miss him dearly still.

 

[Mysterion]

One of my favorite Leo moments from TWW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQJ6yqQRAQs

"As long as I've got a job, you've got a job..."

Wonderful stuff.

 

[Data Holmes]

I'm glad someone remembered. I liked him even before The West Wing, but with that show and the performance as Leo he rocketed into my absolute top all time favorites. Fantastic actor, and while sad it feels fitting that his last season on the show was the show's last season.

There's a moment in the fourth episode of the show where Leo's wife says she's leaving him. As she's leaving he's asking here some questions and finally he ends up asking "Will you call me before you go to sleep?" And there's a quiver in his voice to the degree that the voice almost breaks. It's just masterful acting. He has tons of moments throughout the series, but that is one that's stuck in my mind and that gets me every time.

A true master actor. I miss him dearly still.

A small part, but I always thought he was good in WarGames as the Missile Silo commander.

He was also pretty good in The Rock as FBI Director Lomax.

 

[Emher]

^Yeah especially the first one is a great part. A lot of impact for such short screen time.

 

[IndyJones]

Loved him on The West Wing. Loved him as Tommy Mullaney on LA Law.

 

[AtheistAntony]

As small roles go, loved him in Lois and Clark too.

I think with Leo he played vulnerable SO well, for someone so powerful.

 

[Harvey]

He was great as Leo, of course. A few days ago, I saw Presumed Innocent for the first time. He has a small, but important role in that film, and the character turns out to be rather unlike Leo. I can't believe he's gone.

 

[TheGodBen]

I agree that he was one of the best things about TWW, a tremendous talent. It was a very sad day when I learned of his passing. It's still very emotional when I watch the scene between CJ and Bartlet in Election Day Part 2, I can't imagine how hard it must have been for the actors to live through that moment again.

One of my favorite Leo moments from TWW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQJ6yqQRAQs

Funnily enough, my first thought was this scene, which couldn't possibly be more unlike the one you posted.

 

[Emher]

^

"If the the President's wearing a hat or that thing wears a Bartlet button I'm hiding snakes in your car."
"Come on don't say that, not even to joke!"
"You're never gonna know where they are-"
"Leo!"
"-Or if you got them all out."

 

[AtheistAntony]

The scene where the woman, I forget her name... blondie, when she finds Leo dead.... that scene is just so sad, given that there's such a reality behind it.

And LOL at the Snakes video.

 

[Tomato]

I loved the part where Josh ask's Leo to run for VP. And who could forget his whole brilliant VP debates of lowering the bar and then kicking it up a couple of levels. Man I miss this show.

Oh and the cheese:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i9PAgJB7hA

 

[Data Holmes]

I loved the part where Josh ask's Leo to run for VP. And who could forget his whole brilliant VP debates of lowering the bar and then kicking it up a couple of levels. Man I miss this show.

Oh and the cheese:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i9PAgJB7hA

I love BBoCD. That bit at the end of the clip when Leo smacks Josh up the head.


I think that if you watch the clip of John Spencer's emmy win it says it all. He was up against three of his cast mates and they all were happy to see him win.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUqsqIJrLkI&feature=related


As for the greatness of Leo, I simply point to the opening scene of the entire show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExRwaKAJOTc

Five minuets of pure gold!

 

[The Grinch Doctor]

I think that if you watch the clip of John Spencer's emmy win it says it all. He was up against three of his cast mates and they all were happy to see him win.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUqsqIJrLkI&feature=related

Wow, that's awesome. I love how Bradley Whitford jumps out of his seat in excitement as if he won. Such love and devotion for the man.

 

[Australis]

Been rewatching from the start. What a great show. Damn shame about Spencer. I'd have loved to have seen McGarry as VP after the guys Bartlet had. Imagine what he could have done.

It really was obvious at the Emmys that his fellow cast members were really pleased he'd won, thanks for the link.

I really liked that they kept Spencer in the credits after he'd passed.

 

[John Clark]

He played a great role in "The West Wing" and that's probably how I'll remember him.

I first saw him in LA Law and then later Wing Commander 4.

 

[ancientone51]

The first Christmas show...the funeral for the homeless vet who got his coat.

nuf said