Heartbroken comedy stars reflect on how Fred Willard inspired them

By Alicia Lee CNN

Updated 2030 GMT (0430 HKT) May 17 2020
Actor Fred Willard poses at the Royal Wedding-themed champagne launch of BritWeek at the British Consul General&s official residence in Los Angeles, April 26, 2011.
sidence in Los Angeles,
Actor Fred Willard, who died Friday at the age of 86, brought years of laughter to both the small and big screens.

Fans may remember him for his roles in "Best in Show Everybody Loves Raymond and "Modern Family but other actors in the game are remembering him for the influence he had in comedy.
From his film debut in the 1967 film Teenage Mother to his final role in the upcoming sitcom "Space Force," Willard worked with dozens of fellow comedy giants and inspired even more. Many of them have taken to Twitter to honor his life and share their stories of his influence.

Ben Stiller
Ben Stiller, who lost his father, Jerry Stiller, just last week, described Willard as a "brilliant comic actor and improvisor.
"He could make anything funny.

Sending love to his family.

Willard and actress Jamie Lee Curtis were never in a movie together, but they share a connection because she is married to Christopher Guest, who directed "Best in Show" and A Mighty Wind in which Willard starred.
"How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard's gifts," Curtis wrote. He is with his missed Mary now. Thanks for the deep belly laughs Mr. Willard.

Jamie Lee Curtis

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Jimmy Kimmel
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel tweeted a video of Willard's last appearance on his show, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

Jimmy Kimmel
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@jimmykimmel
I am sad to say goodbye to Fred Willard, who was still the funniest of men at age 86. Here's what turned out to be our last moment on-air together…

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Steve Martin
Steve Martin, who played a fire chief opposite Willard as a mayor in the 1987 rom-com "Roxanne," called Willard his "comic hero" and said in his tribute on Twitter he was "thrilled" to work with him.
Nick Kroll
Nick Kroll said Willard inspired his career.
"Every time he was on screen I got excited and he never disappointed," Kroll tweeted. "Watching him in Fernwood Tonight, Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show and all of his other film and TV appearances inspired me to be a comedic actor. What a gift he was to all of us. RIP Fred Willard."

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Heartbroken comedy stars reflect on how Fred Willard inspired them