Friday the 13th and MASH actor Whitney Rydbeck dead at 79 as saddened fans remember the star as a ‘scene stealer’
BELOVED actor Whitney Rydbeck, who played a brief but instantly memorable role in Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives, has died.
The Hollywood veteran appeared in more than 50 TV shows and movies and was 79 years old.
Whitney died from complications with prostate cancer on Monday, July 15.
The longtime actor’s life came to an end while in hospice care in Chatsworth, California.
Tommy McLoughlin, his longtime friend and the director of Jason Lives, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.
In the horror sequel, he had a fan-favorite role as a paintball soldier who tried to take down a hockey-mask-clad Jason Vorhees by shooting paintballs (this did not pan out).
On Saturday, McLoughlin also paid tribute to the actor’s life and legacy in a touching Instagram tribute.
“We lost not only a truly funny comedian and actor … but one of the most good-hearted human beings I’ve ever known,” the director wrote.
‘VERY SAD NEWS’
Fans took to the comment section, mourning the loss of Whitney and sharing memories of him on-screen.
“He brought a lot to Jason Lives, his comedic act, panic, naiveness, and lack of paintball skills. But a generation based on only a few minutes of air time remembers this guy when going paintballing. A sad loss indeed. ,” one wrote.
“Oh man, that’s very sad news. He was great, and Jason Lives was very memorable and funny,” wrote another.
“The man did so much with such a limited role. RIP,” wrote a third.
“Rest in peace. He was a scene stealer!” wrote a fourth.
‘WROTE THE PART FOR HIM’
On Saturday, the director of Jason Lives also shared an incredibly moving statement with the horror movie outlet Bloody Disgusting.
“I’m heartbroken to share this past Monday night we lost the wonderfully talented physical comedian/actor Whitney Rydbeck.
“He played Roy the nerdy businessman/paintball player. His comic performance is still making audiences and fans laugh almost 40 years later.”
“I specifically wrote the Roy part in Jason Lives for him knowing his unique talent. We also became close friends over these past decades.
“He’s truly the kindest, heartfelt, and lovable person I have known. Seeing him struggling with cancer this past year and a half has been beyond heartbreaking.
I specifically wrote the part in Jason Lives for him knowing his unique talent
Director Jim McLaughlin
“A year ago he appeared on stage (with almost all the Jason Lives cast) at a sold out screening for the American Cinematique. Despite his condition, he made the fans laugh with his stories and antics.”
INCREDIBLE LEGACY
Whitney was born in Los Angeles on March 13, 1945, and graduated from Pasadena High School.
He then attended Pasadena City College and, later, Cal State Fullerton to study theater.
He made his small screen debut with a small part in Nanny and the Professor in 1970 – and from there, the parts kept coming.
Outside of horror, Whitney appeared in films and TV shows from 1970 through 2007.
They included The Brady Bunch, Lassie, Rocky II, M*A*S*H, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Murder, She Wrote, 3rd Rock from the Sun, 7th Heaven, and Scrubs.
Perhaps his biggest role, however, came as crash test dummy “Larry” in TV PSAs asking people to wear seatbelts.
One of Whitney’s original outfits from the PSA ended up in the Smithsonian.
More recently, the actor taught drama at Pasadena City College.
He is survived by his longtime partner, Claire.