The entertainment world is mourning the loss of actor and comedian Pat Finn, who has died at the age of 60 following a battle with cancer. Family and friends confirmed the sad news this week.
A Peaceful Passing at Home
Pat Finn died at his home in Los Angeles on Monday evening, with his family by his side, according to reports from TMZ. A statement from his representative to The New York Post confirmed the actor's passing came after a fight against bladder cancer.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues and friends in the comedy community. Brian Stack, a writer for 'The Colbert Show', expressed his heartbreak on social media platform X. "Heartbroken that our dear friend, Pat Finn, passed away," Stack wrote. "As kind as he was brilliantly hilarious." He shared a touching video of Finn playing with his daughter.
Comedian Jeff Dye also shared his grief, noting he considered Finn a close friend.
A Prolific Career on Screen
Originally from Evanston, Illinois, Finn honed his craft at the famed Second City Theatre in Chicago. His first regular television role came in 1995 on 'The George Wendt Show'.
Finn became a familiar face on countless popular sitcoms over the years. He is perhaps best known to Australian audiences for his guest roles on two iconic shows. On 'Friends', he played Dr. Roger, Monica's boyfriend in an alternate reality episode. For 'Seinfeld' fans, he was the unforgettable party micromanager, Joe Mayo.
His extensive television credits include appearances on 'Murphy Brown', 'That ‘70s Show', 'The King of Queens', 'According to Jim', 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', and '2 Broke Girls'. He also held a regular role as the neighbour Bill Norwood on the series 'The Middle'.
Legacy of Laughter and Teaching
Beyond his on-screen work, Finn was a dedicated teacher. He returned to his alma mater, Marquette University, on several occasions to host courses on improvisational acting.
The university issued a statement honouring his memory: "We hold Pat’s wife, Donna, and his three children — Ryan, Caitlin and Cassidy — in our prayers today. Thank you for sharing Pat with us and with the world."
Pat Finn is survived by his wife, Donna, and their three children. His legacy of laughter, spanning decades of television comedy, will be remembered by fans around the globe, including here in Australia where his shows remain hugely popular.
