From my local paper. Poston was good in everything he did, and his role on Newhart was classic.

Actor was in hit TV shows
TOM POSTON
The Associated Press

TOM POSTON LOS ANGELES -- Tom Poston, the tall, pasty-faced comic who found fame and fortune playing a clueless everyman on such hit television shows as Newhart and Mork and Mindy, has died. He was 85.

Mr. Poston, who was married to Suzanne Pleshette of The Bob Newhart Show, died Monday night at home after a brief illness, a family representative, Tanner Gibson, said Tuesday. The nature of his illness was not disclosed.

Bob Newhart remembered Mr. Poston as a "versatile and veteran performer and a kindhearted individual."

"Tom was always the 'go-to guy' on Newhart in addition to being a good and longtime friend," Newhart said in a statement Tuesday.

Billy Crystal, who starred in the 1978 film Rabbit Test in which Mr. Poston also appeared, was another admirer.

"How rare that a gentle, sweet person could be so incredibly funny," Crystal said in a statement. "I grew up watching Tom on The Steve Allen Show as a kid. What an incredible gift to become friends with him and to learn about comedy from a true professional."

Besides Pleshette, 70, Mr. Poston is survived by his children, Francesca Poston of Nashville, Jason Poston of Los Angeles and Hudson Poston of Portland, Ore.