News | Entertainment
28 Feb 2026 2:53
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Fred Willard died from a heart attack

    The veteran comic actor passed away last month at the age of 86 and his death certificate has now been issued, listing the immediate cause of death as cardiac arrest with myelodysplastic syndrome and coronary artery disease listed as underlying issues


    According to TMZ, the document also noted that Fred was a veteran of the United States Armed Forces and had 60 years in the entertainment industry.

    It also confirmed the 'Anchorman' actor was laid to rest at the famous Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

    Hope Mulbarger, Fred's daughter, announced her father's sad passing shortly after he died on 15 May.

    She said: "My father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old. He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end. We loved him so very much! We will miss him forever."

    Meanwhile, Glenn Schwartz, the later actor's representative, also paid a glowing tribute to the 'Austin Powers' actor.

    He shared: "A four-time Emmy nominee radiated a unique charm that established him as one of our generation's most gifted comic actors.

    "A master of sketch comedy, Fred was most heralded for his quick wit and improvisational expertise, which he demonstrated in hundreds of appearances on stage, on the big screen, and on a wide range of television shows."

    Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel recently paid tribute to the actor, hailing him as a "Christmas tree in June".

    He shared: "In a lot of ways, Fred Willard was like a Christmas tree in June - a little weird, familiar but still surprising to see it, full of good memories and you're just instantly happy that it's there."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     27 Feb: Drew Barrymore travels down "memory lane" when looking at pictures of herself from her 1990s heyday
     27 Feb: Cruz Beckham's 21st birthday celebrations have gone on for a week
     27 Feb: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived at the World Health Organisation's country office in Amman
     27 Feb: Jameela Jamil has called out women at the BAFTAs for being "scarily thin"
     27 Feb: Sinitta has described her marriage to Andy Willner as a "revenge move" aimed at Simon Cowell
     27 Feb: Jennifer Garner has spoken candidly about the realities of co-parenting her three children with her former husband
     27 Feb: Martin Short endured a series of personal tragedies before the death of his daughter Katherine Hartley Short - including the deaths of his parents, brother and former wife
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Fa'alogo Tana Umaga is reminding his players the only thing they can control is their own effort More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Commerce Commission has issued guidance on changes to gift card rules More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    A 26 year old will face court after allegedly trying to steal a necklace worth more than 70 thousand dollars from Auckland's CBD 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Drew Barrymore travels down "memory lane" when looking at pictures of herself from her 1990s heyday 21:51

    Entertainment:
    Cruz Beckham's 21st birthday celebrations have gone on for a week 21:21

    Rugby:
    Fa'alogo Tana Umaga is reminding his players the only thing they can control is their own effort 21:17

    Entertainment:
    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived at the World Health Organisation's country office in Amman 20:51

    Entertainment:
    Jameela Jamil has called out women at the BAFTAs for being "scarily thin" 20:21

    Entertainment:
    Sinitta has described her marriage to Andy Willner as a "revenge move" aimed at Simon Cowell 19:51

    Entertainment:
    Jennifer Garner has spoken candidly about the realities of co-parenting her three children with her former husband 19:21

    Soccer:
    A huge 8-nil win over Samoa for the Football Ferns in their Fifa World Cup qualifier in Honiara 18:57

    Politics:
    An economist says benefit sanctions aren't working 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd