John Aylward Cause of Death Unexpected: 'ER' Actor Dead at 75
John Aylward, the actor who appeared in "ER" and "The West Wing," has died. He was 75.
Aylward's agent, Mitchell K. Stubbs, revealed the tragic news to Variety. He added that the veteran star died in Seattle on Monday.
Meanwhile, he also told Deadline that the actor's wife, Mary Fields, informed him about the development after the actor faced declining health in the past years.
"I was shocked. He was a wonderful actor and a phenomenal human being. He was a dream client, a friend, and a dream person," he said. "He was proud of his film and television work, although his life in the theater was where he was the happiest."
It remains unknown what exact issues he went through recently. But the same statement divulged that John Aylward's cause of death was due to natural causes.
Fans and colleagues shared their heartbreak through social media posts, paying tribute to the late star.
We lost a beloved member of our family this week, with the passing of company member John Aylward. An accomplished and widely respected actor, John left an indelible mark on the theater community and on everyone he worked with over his long career. John, we will miss you dearly❤️ pic.twitter.com/00jMZngRkP
— Seattle Rep (@seattlerep) May 19, 2022
John Aylward's Life as an Actor
Aylward started building his empire soon after graduating from the actor's training program at the University of Washington in 1970. Three years later, he founded the Empty Space Theatre.
While managing it, he scored his first television show in 1976, titled "The Secret Life of John Chapman."
He went on to become part of other flicks where he played small roles, including "Stamp of a Killer," "Child in the Night," "Third Degree Burn," and "With a Vengeance."
Aylward scored more shows thereafter, having recurring roles in the 1990s in "Northern Exposure," "Grace Under Fire," "Ally McBeal," "Dharma & Greg," "The Practice," "Alias," "Mad Men," "Yellowstone," and "Shameless," among others.
In 1996, he was cast to become part of "ER" during its third season. Co-producer Carol Flynt tapped him to join the franchise after seeing his performance in "Pschopathia Sexualis" at the Mark Taper Forum.
While working in "ER," he also worked in the seventh and final season of "The West Wing" where he played the role of DNC Chairman Barry Goodwin.
Before his death, he still had a recurring role in the 2020 series, "Briarpatch."
