John Spencer was the wise old soul of The West Wing. He was brilliant, powerful, charming, seductive, forceful, cunning…everything you would expect from such a magnificent actor in such a towering role on one of television’s best shows.
His sudden death from a heart attack is stunning…a vicious body blow to all of us who appreciated and loved his character, and the painful, fulfilling arcs he has taken throughout his time on the show. Now, his death leaves a gaping hole in the fictional Santos campaign, in which he was running as Vice-President.
But that’s a complication for later. Instead, this is a moment to mourn and celebrate the life of a superb actor.
Richard Schiff, who plays Toby on The West Wing, sums up Spencer best:
“There are very few personal treasures that you put in your knapsack to carry with you for the rest of your life, and he’s one of those.”
I’ll miss you, Mr. Spencer. You leave a vast hole in the centre of the amazing show which you helped anchor…
