Veteran character actor John Aylward, best known for playing Dr. Donald Anspaugh on the hit NBC medical drama ER, has died at the age of 75.
“I was shocked. He was a wonderful actor and a phenomenal human being,” Aylward’s longtime agent Mitchell K. Stubbs said in a statement to our sister site Deadline. “He was a dream client, a friend and a dream person.”
Aylward joined the cast of ER in Season 3’s second episode, with his character Donald Anspaugh taking over as chief of staff of the newly merged County General. The rigid doctor showed he had a softer side when he revealed his son Scott had lymphoma, and Scott bonded with Gloria Reuben’s Jeanie when she became his private caretaker. Anspaugh stepped down as chief of staff in Season 4 in the wake of Scott’s death, but he remained at the hospital as a surgeon and board member. Aylward appeared sporadically after that as Anspaugh, all the way through ER‘s 15th and final season.
His ER costar Noah Wyle commented on a fan page’s Instagram post about Aylward’s death: “Very sad news indeed. John was an amazing actor, a gentleman, and a wonderful friend. He’ll be missed.”
Starting with a handful of episodes of Northern Exposure, Aylward has been a familiar face to TV fans for the past three decades. He had a recurring role on the final season of NBC’s The West Wing as former DNC chair and head of transition Barry Goodwin. His other TV roles include Mad Men, Alias, Brothers & Sisters, The Practice and Yellowstone. His most recent credit was on the quirky USA crime drama Briarpatch, which finished airing in 2020.
Character actors are amazing talents. I think it is something to take a role that is not lead and craft portrayals that really connect and keep the story strong and moving. Their faces too, seen in many series and movies throughout their careers, are comforts. You may not remember the name but…
Rest in peace, sir. I really loved his character on ER. At first, he was gruff and didn’t seem all that likable, but he grew on you. I especially loved his scenes in the early days of the show with the original cast. His character developing a respect and appreciate for Jeannie after she cared for his son was wonderful and it came at a time when a lot of parents wouldn’t have wanted anyone with HIV/AIDS being anywhere near their children or themselves. He was also a great foil to Benton during the whole Carter/Lucy situation. He had many great storylines and made it possible for the “main actors” to thrive.
I liked him on ER. He added a little drama to the series. He will be missed. RIP!!😓🙏🙏
Just saw him today in an episode while binging Fringe. He died there as well… Kinda eerie.
Rest in peace, Sir. Appreciate your acting on my favorite show ER. Prayers for your family
Character actors are the best….if they do it right you’ll remember their face, but can’t quite place it when you see them again. You remember the character and not the actor, which says so much about those who really love the craft of acting and not the idea of being a celebrity or star. It’s not about ego for them. RIP sir.
Always loved his conversation with Carter when Carter told him that he could be a good surgeon but not a great surgeon. The respect between both characters that I now appreciate even more as someone who is the boss. One a many reasons why ER was such a superior medical drama. May he RIP
The term “character actor” is a bit of an insult really, “Actor” will do.