West Wing’s John Spencer dies

Dec 17, 2005 by Ian Evans

John Spencer, whose West Wing character survived a serious illness, has died of a heart attack. He would have turned 59 on Tuesday.

West Wing co-star Richard Schiff said that Spencer was “one of those rare combinations of divinely gifted and incredibly generous. 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.”

Aaron Sorkin and Tommy Schlamme said that “John was an uncommonly good man, an exceptional role model and a brilliant actor.”

Spencer was also known for his time on L.A. Law and his West Wing stint earned him one Emmy and four other nominations.