Fred Willard

Thanks to his quick wit and gift for ad-libbing, Fred Willard has enjoyed steady film and television gigs for more than four decades. Born Sept. 18, 1939, in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Willard made his TV debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964 as half of a comic duo.

A sketch comedy master, Willard eventually moved to Chicago to polish his innate talent with the famed Second City troupe. More TV and stage work followed, and in 1977 he was cast in the role he's best known for: the grinning sidekick to Martin Mull on "Fernwood 2Nite" and "America 2-Night." For his recurring role on "Everybody Loves Raymond," Willard received three consecutive Emmy nods.

Through the years, Willard has also landed small but juicy roles in numerous films, including This Is Spinal Tap (1984); the mockumentaries Waiting for Guffman (1996) and Best in Show (2000); and 2004's Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

Filmography