Remembering John Spencer
- Thread starter AntonyF
- Start date
A great and under appreciated actor who went way too soon. Leo McGarry was his crowning achievement.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"As long as I've got a job, you've got a job..."
Wonderful stuff.
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.
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.
Funnily enough, my first thought was this scene, which couldn't possibly be more unlike the one you posted.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
I first saw him in LA Law and then later Wing Commander 4.
The first Christmas show...the funeral for the homeless vet who got his coat.
nuf said
nuf said
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