RIP, John Spencer

Like all people of intelligence, wit, and urbanity , I love The West Wing on NBC. One of my favorite characters was Leo McGarry, the ultimate pol who was the Pres's Chief of Staff til (irony) a heart attack forced him to retire. He was then tabbed to run as Santo's (Jimmy Smit) Veep candidate.

John Spencer, who played Leo, died yesterday of a heart attack. He was an amazing actor who brought intelligence, wit, and urbanity (see how cleverly I tie it all together?) to the role. The character looked like he relished his role in life, and every interview I saw with Spencer had the same look. He was a man happy with his place in life and enjoying it to the hilt.

WW producers have not announced how this will affect the show. The show is somewhat off it's game since the departure of Aaron Sorkin, but this season seemed to picking up some steam with it's intense coverage of the campaigns of Santos and Vinnick (Alan Alda in a brilliant role). I hope the loss of Spencer doesn't take the wind out of their sails.

Farewell, John. You will be missed.