John Spencer 1946-2005

Spartan689 · 12-16-2005, 16:56

John Spencer passed away today of a heart attack. Most in this community recognize him as the abrasive Captain Paulson who was eventually done in by Seether in Wing Commander IV. More recently he has starred in the West Wing as Leo McGarry. Yet another Wing Commander and movie actor great has died.

Bandit LOAF · 12-16-2005, 17:22

Yeah, it's a real shame. AD grabbed some screenshots for an update about him, which should be published at some point in the near future:

Iceman16 · 12-16-2005, 19:07

Another Captain of the TCS Lexington is gone

Bob McDob · 12-16-2005, 19:55

Sad day f0or Wingnuts everywhere.

Wulf · 12-16-2005, 21:25

Rest in peace, John.

d3r3k · 12-17-2005, 00:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartan689

John Spencer passed away today of a heart attack. Most in this community recognize him as the abrasive Captain Paulson who was eventually done in by Seether in Wing Commander IV. More recently he has starred in the West Wing as Leo McGarry. Yet another Wing Commander and movie actor great has died.

Oh, man. Rest in peace indeed.

Confed · 12-17-2005, 02:31

59 years is too young, man! RIP, John. (They will probably also pay tribute at the next Academy awards.)

Peidu · 12-17-2005, 03:10

Rest in peace, John, good luck up there

LarkInFlight · 12-17-2005, 14:30

I`m sorry to hear that.. very sorry...

Ptarmigan · 12-17-2005, 16:26

I like John Spencer. Great actor. I will remember him from Wing Commander 4. He usually plays bureaucrats. Did a mighty fine job. RIP John Spencer.

ChrisReid · 12-17-2005, 17:54

This was among our most-submitted news stories ever. We got more messages about it than posts in this thread actually. In a situation like this there's some apprehension about saying something and not having it be sufficient and fit the mood. So they might not be adding to the thread, but there are a lot of people thinking about him right now.

LeHah · 12-17-2005, 19:12

I came on board with Wing Commander not too long before Wing Commander 4 came out; I had the game in my hand about 2 months after it came out (since I was broke and in high school), so when I think of WC, I tend to think of a blending between III and IV.

Paulson was integral to my WC experience. In fact, the person who introduced me to the series would refer to teachers we didn't like as "Paulson" (a name we said, dripping with overly-dramatic false disdain) and another teacher we enjoyed having as "Tolwyn".

I got the feeling John Spencer was kind of pigeon-holed into the role; he played it effortlessly, sometimes bordering on complete characature even when WCIV wasn't the most subtle of stories. But the more I saw of his short role, the more I realized that he was *really* good at it. The reason he was casted (type-casted?) into the role was because he was just that good at playing a jerk and brought more to that role than a lot of bigger, bankable stars could've.

I'm sorry to see him pass on. He was one of those faces that popped up on my TV from time to time and I enjoyed giggling to myself when no one else would ge the joke. I hope he's at peace.

Edfilho · 12-19-2005, 14:32

I'm sorry to learn that he has passed away. He was a good actor, and died far too young. I hope than Mr. Spencer goes to heaven, unlike his character Paulsen.

Dragon1 · 12-22-2005, 18:07

One of my favorite characters. Goodbye Mr. Spencer.

Delance · 12-23-2005, 23:20

May he rest in peace.

LeHah · 02-19-2006, 11:53

IMDB reported this yesterday:

The funeral scene for late The West Wing star John Spencer's character has been filmed. Spencer, who suffered a fatal cardiac arrest last December, played Air Force veteran and White House chief of staff Leo McGarry in the hit TV series. The tear-jerking funeral episode, which employs a real Air Force guard of honour, will be aired in the US in April, the New York Post reports.

TopGun · 02-22-2006, 15:01

OMG

btw your title says "John Spencer 1946-2005" but it's 2006

Sorry to do that to you, but if I didn't someone else would have

Peidu · 02-22-2006, 15:02

But... He died in 2005? didn't he?

d3r3k · 02-22-2006, 15:46

Yeah, he did. He died around the day this thread was created.

Bandit LOAF · 02-22-2006, 16:17

Abraham Lincoln (1809-2006)

Ridgerunner · 02-23-2006, 06:11

Abe Lincoln has been dead for over 100 years. You got your dates wrong, LOAF.

Bandit LOAF · 02-23-2006, 07:30

If you hadn't said it, someone else would have.

LeHah · 02-23-2006, 08:39

However, that doesn't mean that they should've said it at all

Ridgerunner · 02-23-2006, 12:51

Yeah, but I couldn't resist. I had only seconds to use the computer.

TopGun · 02-24-2006, 04:26

I'm an idiot. I didn't look at the thread creation date.

Sorry about that guys

maniac89 · 02-27-2006, 17:24

Thats why they call you the Maniac!
And, of course, RIP John.

Maveric · 03-15-2006, 07:17

I hated him in WC4, but I guess that's great acting for you!

A fine actor, not just in WC. RIP John.

Don · 03-15-2006, 12:01

A great actor blessed with such versitality and authority...

Rest in Peace John Spencer

12-16-2005, 16:56	#1
Spartan689 2nd Lieutenant Join Date: May 2002 Location: Lexington Park, MD Posts: 94	John Spencer 1946-2005 John Spencer passed away today of a heart attack. Most in this community recognize him as the abrasive Captain Paulson who was eventually done in by Seether in Wing Commander IV. More recently he has starred in the West Wing as Leo McGarry. Yet another Wing Commander and movie actor great has died. __________________ "YAT-YAS!!" You Ain't Tracks, You Ain't S**t!! Delta Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division

12-16-2005, 17:22	#2
Bandit LOAF It wears the skull of its dead mother on its head. When it becomes lonesome, it is said to cry loudly. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Ashton, MD, USA Posts: 23,924	Yeah, it's a real shame. AD grabbed some screenshots for an update about him, which should be published at some point in the near future: __________________ Long live the Confederation, Ben "Bandit" Lesnick, LMG. "You go, Loaf! Get some!" -JPG

12-16-2005, 19:07	#3
Iceman16 Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 945	Another Captain of the TCS Lexington is gone __________________ "I don't trust anything that bleeds for 5 days and doesn't die."-Mr. Garrison, South Park

12-16-2005, 19:55	#4
Bob McDob Mola mola Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: Grassy Knizzle Posts: 3,117	Sad day f0or Wingnuts everywhere. __________________ Aboard one destroyer, [Admiral Jacky Fisher] saw the sign "UT VENIANT OMNES" in gold letters mounted on the bridge. "What does that mean?" he asked. "Let 'em all come", replied the youthful lieutenant in command. Robert Massie If it's stupid but it works, then it isn't stupid.

12-16-2005, 21:25	#5
Wulf Colonel Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 1,053	Rest in peace, John. __________________ "I got your fortune cookie. It says,'You're shit out of luck.'"-Clint Eastwood (Dirty Harry)

12-17-2005, 02:31	#7
Confed 1st Lieutenant Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 254	59 years is too young, man! RIP, John. (They will probably also pay tribute at the next Academy awards.)

12-17-2005, 03:10	#8
Peidu Only an idiot. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Reading, UK Posts: 95	Rest in peace, John, good luck up there __________________ Pop-up Pirates... For a barrel of fun!

12-17-2005, 14:30	#9
LarkInFlight 2nd Lieutenant Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Krakow, Poland Posts: 125	I`m sorry to hear that.. very sorry...

12-17-2005, 16:26	#10
Ptarmigan Captain Join Date: May 2005 Location: Arctic Posts: 405	I like John Spencer. Great actor. I will remember him from Wing Commander 4. He usually plays bureaucrats. Did a mighty fine job. RIP John Spencer. __________________ I Like Ptarmigans.

12-17-2005, 17:54	#11
ChrisReid Super Soaker Collector Administrator Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Posts: 9,865	This was among our most-submitted news stories ever. We got more messages about it than posts in this thread actually. In a situation like this there's some apprehension about saying something and not having it be sufficient and fit the mood. So they might not be adding to the thread, but there are a lot of people thinking about him right now.

12-17-2005, 19:12	#12
LeHah 212th Special Ops, "The Old Man's Eyes And Ears" Join Date: May 2000 Location: Blackmane System Posts: 7,201	I came on board with Wing Commander not too long before Wing Commander 4 came out; I had the game in my hand about 2 months after it came out (since I was broke and in high school), so when I think of WC, I tend to think of a blending between III and IV. Paulson was integral to my WC experience. In fact, the person who introduced me to the series would refer to teachers we didn't like as "Paulson" (a name we said, dripping with overly-dramatic false disdain) and another teacher we enjoyed having as "Tolwyn". I got the feeling John Spencer was kind of pigeon-holed into the role; he played it effortlessly, sometimes bordering on complete characature even when WCIV wasn't the most subtle of stories. But the more I saw of his short role, the more I realized that he was really good at it. The reason he was casted (type-casted?) into the role was because he was just that good at playing a jerk and brought more to that role than a lot of bigger, bankable stars could've. I'm sorry to see him pass on. He was one of those faces that popped up on my TV from time to time and I enjoyed giggling to myself when no one else would ge the joke. I hope he's at peace. __________________ Gleaming shell of an outworn lie; fable of Right divine -- You gained your crowns by heritage, but Blood was the price of mine. The throne that I won by blood and sweat, by Crom, I will not sell For promise of valleys filled with gold, or threat of the Halls of Hell!

12-19-2005, 14:32	#13
Edfilho Cry some more! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rio de Janeiro - Brazil Posts: 3,522	I'm sorry to learn that he has passed away. He was a good actor, and died far too young. I hope than Mr. Spencer goes to heaven, unlike his character Paulsen.

12-22-2005, 18:07	#14
Dragon1 Major Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 519	One of my favorite characters. Goodbye Mr. Spencer.

12-23-2005, 23:20	#15
Delance Victory, you say? Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: São Paulo, Brazil Posts: 4,222	May he rest in peace. __________________ "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." -- Chesterton

02-19-2006, 11:53	#16
LeHah 212th Special Ops, "The Old Man's Eyes And Ears" Join Date: May 2000 Location: Blackmane System Posts: 7,201	IMDB reported this yesterday: The funeral scene for late The West Wing star John Spencer's character has been filmed. Spencer, who suffered a fatal cardiac arrest last December, played Air Force veteran and White House chief of staff Leo McGarry in the hit TV series. The tear-jerking funeral episode, which employs a real Air Force guard of honour, will be aired in the US in April, the New York Post reports. __________________ Gleaming shell of an outworn lie; fable of Right divine -- You gained your crowns by heritage, but Blood was the price of mine. The throne that I won by blood and sweat, by Crom, I will not sell For promise of valleys filled with gold, or threat of the Halls of Hell!

02-22-2006, 15:01	#17
TopGun Vampire Ace Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 3,367	OMG btw your title says "John Spencer 1946-2005" but it's 2006 Sorry to do that to you, but if I didn't someone else would have __________________ Wing Commander, Alpha Wing, Wolfpack Squadron, TCS William Eisen

02-22-2006, 15:02	#18
Peidu Only an idiot. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Reading, UK Posts: 95	But... He died in 2005? didn't he? __________________ Pop-up Pirates... For a barrel of fun!

02-22-2006, 15:46	#19
d3r3k Major Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 550	Yeah, he did. He died around the day this thread was created. __________________ I'm back...with a vengeance.

02-22-2006, 16:17	#20
Bandit LOAF It wears the skull of its dead mother on its head. When it becomes lonesome, it is said to cry loudly. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Ashton, MD, USA Posts: 23,924	Abraham Lincoln (1809-2006) __________________ Long live the Confederation, Ben "Bandit" Lesnick, LMG. "You go, Loaf! Get some!" -JPG

02-23-2006, 06:11	#21
Ridgerunner Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: May 2002 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 794	Abe Lincoln has been dead for over 100 years. You got your dates wrong, LOAF. __________________ Something, something, something......

02-23-2006, 07:30	#22
Bandit LOAF It wears the skull of its dead mother on its head. When it becomes lonesome, it is said to cry loudly. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Ashton, MD, USA Posts: 23,924	If you hadn't said it, someone else would have. __________________ Long live the Confederation, Ben "Bandit" Lesnick, LMG. "You go, Loaf! Get some!" -JPG

02-23-2006, 08:39	#23
LeHah 212th Special Ops, "The Old Man's Eyes And Ears" Join Date: May 2000 Location: Blackmane System Posts: 7,201	However, that doesn't mean that they should've said it at all __________________ Gleaming shell of an outworn lie; fable of Right divine -- You gained your crowns by heritage, but Blood was the price of mine. The throne that I won by blood and sweat, by Crom, I will not sell For promise of valleys filled with gold, or threat of the Halls of Hell!

02-23-2006, 12:51	#24
Ridgerunner Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: May 2002 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 794	Yeah, but I couldn't resist. I had only seconds to use the computer. __________________ Something, something, something......

02-24-2006, 04:26	#25
TopGun Vampire Ace Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 3,367	I'm an idiot. I didn't look at the thread creation date. Sorry about that guys __________________ Wing Commander, Alpha Wing, Wolfpack Squadron, TCS William Eisen

02-27-2006, 17:24	#26
maniac89 I love Wing Commander: Prophecy Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: T.C.S. Midway Posts: 324	Thats why they call you the Maniac! And, of course, RIP John. __________________ The Wing Commander: Prophecy Movie Project

03-15-2006, 07:17	#27
Maveric Cadet Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 25	I hated him in WC4, but I guess that's great acting for you! A fine actor, not just in WC. RIP John. __________________ ________________________________________ _____ The problem with being a hero is...well,they always expect you to win. - Commodore Christopher Blair

03-15-2006, 12:01	#28
Don 1st Lieutenant Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK Posts: 235	A great actor blessed with such versitality and authority... Rest in Peace John Spencer