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Beloved Hollywood actor John Lawlor has died aged 83. The star is best known for his famous appearances on the hit TV shows The Facts Of Life and Phyllis.
The Colorado native died on February 13 at a veterans’ hospice facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, his family announced online.
On The Facts of Life, he starred as Steven Bradley at the Eastland School for Girls during the first season, alongside Charlotte Rae, Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields, Mindy Cohn, and Nancy McKeon.
He also had a starring role on CBS sitcom Phyllis, playing Leonard Marsh, one of Cloris Leachman’s co-workers at the San Francisco City Supervisor’s office.
Throughout his career, Lawlor also starred in 1981’s S.O.B with Julie Andrews and in the 1994 western, Wyatt Earp with Kevin Costner.
Lawlor was born in Troy, New York, and raised in Boulder, Colorado. After graduating from the University of Colorado, he entered the acting business.
In 1975, he landed his first big job as a guest star in episodes of the private detective serial The Rockford Files opposite the show’s star James Garner, and then the following year, he featured in Jackson County Jail with Yvette Mimieux.
The actor is also credited in popular TV shows such as Alice, Barney Miller, Newhart, T.J. Hooker, Sledge Hammer!, Knots Landing, L.A. Law, Breaking Bad and Longmire.
As well as films, including The Gumball Rally, Billy Jack Goes to Washington, Movie Madness, Banshee Chapter and The Reunion.
As an assistant director on features, Lawlor’s credits in the ’80s and ’90s include Excalibur, Highlander, A Prayer for the Dying and Driftwood.
Lawlor’s family announced his death with a moving tribute which read: “John will be remembered for his great love and affection for his family, his work and enjoyment of theater, television, movies, literature, and of course, his beloved horses.”
The actor is survived by his “two brothers, one sister, and leaves behind five children, including Eric of Syracuse; two brothers, Thomas (Marie) of Minoa, Dave (Jone) of Fayetteville; 3 grandchildren; a nephew and 2 nieces.”
