John Lawlor, the actor best known for his roles in The Facts of Life and Phyllis, has died. He was 83.
The actor’s family announced the news in his obituary published on Monday, Feb. 24, nine days after he died at a veterans hospice facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They stated that his daughter, Riel, was by his side as he “peacefully passed away.”
“John will be remembered for his great love and affection for his family, his work and enjoyment of theater, television, movies, literature, and of course, his beloved horses,” the obituary read.
Lawlor had a long career in the entertainment industry, known for his role as headmaster Steven Bradley at the Eastland School for Girls in The Facts of Life on NBC. After the 13-episode debut season in 1979, he was replaced by Roger Perry’s Charles Parker.
He also appeared on CBS’s The Mary Tyler Moore Show spinoff Phyllis as one of Cloris Leachman’s co-workers, Leonard Marsh.
In 1981, he shifted into the world of film, landing a role in Blake Edwards’ S.O.B. and, later, Lawrence Kasdan’s Wyatt Earp (1994), per his IMDb page.
Lawlor was born in Troy, New York on June 5, 1941, and is the oldest of six children. His family moved to Boulder, Colorado, where he grew up. He graduated from the University of Colorado and was a member of the Nomad Players in Boulder, where he performed in many productions, including Sweeney Todd.
Prior to his television gigs, Lawlor served in the United States Army in Vietnam.
In 1975, he booked his first onscreen roles in The Rockford Files, Ellery Queen and Jackson County Jail the following year in 1976.
According to his IMDB, Lawlor also guested on popular shows A New Kind of Family, Alice, Barney Miller, Newhart, T.J. Hooker, Sledge Hammer!, Knots Landing, L.A. Law, Breaking Bad and Longmire, along with films The Gumball Rally, Bill Jack Goes to Washington and Movie Madness.
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He leaves behind five children, two brothers, three grandchildren, a nephew and two nieces.
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