Obit: John Spencer (Leo McGarry) - Dec 2005

Subject: Obit: John Spencer (Leo McGarry)
From: Lanfranc
Date: 19 Dec 05 - 06:45 AM

BBC John Spencer Obituary

Sad news for those of us who fantasise waking up one day to find that "West Wing" is fact and George W Bush and cronies are fiction.

I know it's only a somewhat superior soap, but, as a dedicated fan, I feel that I have lost a friend.

Alan

Subject: RE: Obit: John Spencer (Leo McGarry)
From: GUEST,BazT
Date: 19 Dec 05 - 08:27 AM

Quality actor in a quality show. A real shame, and one can only think of his family jsut now. Losing someone at any time of year is terrible, but Christmas is probably even worse. Thanks for the work, John.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Spencer (Leo McGarry)
From: Jeri
Date: 19 Dec 05 - 01:41 PM

Leo McGarry was my favorite character on The West Wing, possibly because he struggled for redemption and won. Alcoholism and addiction and his own mistakes. I remember the show in which they interrogated the young Moslem staff member because they thought he was a terrorist. McGarry faced his own prejudice, he eventually recognized it and wound up apoligising. Most people won't see that sort of thing about themselves, and Spencer made you feel discomfort at being wrong, his shame at what he'd put the guy through, and at the same time, his dignity. It was a deceptively complicated moment in that role, and it was played perfectly.

I wonder what will happen in the show. I look forward to seeing how they pay homage to the man because I'm sure they will. My guess is he'll be assasinated because they really can't have him die of a heart attack. Not just because it wouldn't work with the storyline, but primarily because of the heartbreak it would cause.

That was the McGarry character, but I read that Spencer thought McGarry was written as the person he'd wanted to be. According to one article I read, he said it was "life imitating art, imitating life."   I don't remember ever seeing him in another role, but I'll sure miss him in this one.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Spencer (Leo McGarry)
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Dec 05 - 01:59 PM

It sure put a problem in the hands of the writers, because I am almost SURE they intended for the Santos and McGarry team to win the election. I can't remember any characters that have already introduced who would be obvious to replace him on the ticket.

It is a sad occasion, both VT & RT, as Spencer was a fine actor and a good guy.....I will miss him.

(I am NOT so sure they would use assassination to write him out...he has no particular enemies, and it would be hard to script...whereas, simple dying, heart attack or otherwise could simply be referred to .....*shrug*...I guess we'll see later.)

Subject: RE: Obit: John Spencer (Leo McGarry)
From: SunnySister
Date: 19 Dec 05 - 11:39 PM

John Spencer's death was a hard shock to me. I had always had a bit of a crush on him and really valued his acting abilities. He was a passionate person, who himself struggled against addictions such as alcoholism.

He will be missed. He took his talent and his performances seriously. From what I hear, he was universally liked as well.

Thanks for starting this thread, Alan.

---SunnySister

Subject: RE: Obit: John Spencer (Leo McGarry)
From: Blackcatter
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 12:42 PM

I will miss him as well. One of the best of the actors on a quality show.

Maybe Josh will get the nod to be V.P. Of course I'd love it to be Donna Moss.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Spencer (Leo McGarry) - Dec 2005
From: Wesley S
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 01:23 PM

I would guess that the death will need to take place off camera of course. I think that Leo will just not wake up some morning due to his heart. And yes it would make sense for Josh to become his running mate.

John Spencer was also excellent on LA Law - in it's last years he was one of the few reasons to tune into the show.