Peter Scolari Mourned by Lena Dunham, Bob Newhart and More: ‘the Most Humble Icon’
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Bob Newhart and other Hollywood friends and colleagues of Peter Scolari shared their memories, stories and admiration Friday for the veteran actor who was most well known for his role alongside Tom Hanks on “Bosom Buddies.” Scolari died at 66 and had battled cancer for two years, according to his manager, Ellen Lubin Sanitsky at Wright Entertainment.
The actor starred in many films and television series, including “Newhart” and “The Good Fight.” In 2016, Scolari won his first Emmy Award for playing Tad Horvath, Hannah’s father, on HBO’s “Girls.”
Scolari also frequented the stage, appearing on Broadway with “Hairspray,” “Wicked”, “Sly Fox,” “Magic Bird” and “Bronx Bombers.”
During Scolari’s 43-year career, he had a lasting impact on several of his co-stars and peers.
“I couldn’t have been raised up by a better TV ‘papa,'” Lena Dunham, who created and starred in “Girls,” said in an Instagram post.
“The shyest extrovert, the most dramatic comedian, the most humble icon,” writes Dunham of (and to) Scolari, who died today at age 66 of cancer. “You had lived enough life to know that a TV show was just a TV show, but also to appreciate just what it meant to be allowed to play pretend for a living – and you never let us forget that this job was a privilege.”
She continues, “I remember when you came back from doing a production of the Music Man somewhere – the theater had basically been a barn, there had been no WiFi and you had no understudy- and you were as grateful and delighted as you were when you were nominated for an Emmy. You bragged nonstop about your kids, you had the best stories – like when you did Circus of the Stars and ‘that’s when I learned to walk a tightrope, there’s not much to it’ – and when we told you that you would be coming out of the closet on the show you said ‘thank you, you can trust me with this.’ Becky Ann [Baker] and I loved every second of playing your family and I couldn’t have been raised up by a better TV ‘papa.’ Thank you, Scolari, for every chat between set ups, every hug onscreen and off and every ‘Oh, Jeez.’ We will miss you so much.”
“I knew that Peter was sick, but his death still comes as a great shock,” Newhart said in a statement. “We were friends and colleagues for over 40 years. Julia and Peter, as a vacuous couple (Michael and Stephanie), were an essential part of the success of ‘Newhart.’ In life, he was a fantastic person, and it was a joy to work together. He will be sorely missed and his passing at 66 is much too early.”
“Newhart” co-star Julia Duffy posted a photo of the pair, captioning it “No better partner.”
No better partner.
— julia duffy (@mybadauditions) October 22, 2021
“There wasn’t a sweeter man on the planet”, wrote Harvey Fierstein, Scolari’s “Hairspray” co-star, on Twitter.
Sad to see the news that Peter Scolari lost his battle with cancer. There wasn't a sweeter man on the planet. We performed together in HAIRSPRAY for a time and he was always a total delight. Farewell, dear Peter.https://t.co/1TPjakwLT3
— Harvey Fierstein (@HarveyFierstein) October 22, 2021
Robert King, “Evil” co-creator and showrunner, wrote several tweets paying tribute to Scolari, praising his ability to perform and bring pieces of work alive: “He always took a nothing scene and found different ways to twist it, and throw in odd pauses that made it jump.”
Peter Scolari, who died today, was one of the funniest—sneakily funny—actors we’ve worked with. He always took a nothing scene and found different ways to twist it, and throw in odd pauses that made it jump. I will try to collect my thoughts more. He was just wonderful. pic.twitter.com/25z6xgmD3f
— Robert King (@RKing618) October 22, 2021
To watch Peter Scolari’s dailies was a thrill because he always found new ways to go. He molded the highs and lows of a scene, but always looking for the comic spin, and he’d massage a phrase with each take until he could hear the laughter in his head. This is a real loss. pic.twitter.com/7AaERU2Rup
— Robert King (@RKing618) October 22, 2021
It always felt like Peter Scolari found new ways to wear the priest wardrobe for comic effect. He knew his role was essentially funny, even though he often played straight man to something absurd said by another character. But he knew the laugh was in the reaction not the action. pic.twitter.com/8nraMMotyp
— Robert King (@RKing618) October 22, 2021
Beyond everything else, Peter Scolari was a mensch, a hard worker, a thoughtful actor, always a pleasure on a set. This feels like a very depressing day. Writing about him makes it a bit easier, but not really. pic.twitter.com/aKsW9uG5no
— Robert King (@RKing618) October 22, 2021
Actor David Kaufman said that he was “heartbroken” upon hearing the news, calling Scolari “one of the funniest, most generous actors” he ever worked with.
I am heartbroken to hear about Peter Scolari this morning. He was honestly one of the funniest, most generous actors I ever got to work with. (And he taught me how to juggle!) He was a comic genius & I will forever be grateful that I was lucky enough to learn from him.
— David Kaufman (@DavidKaufman23) October 22, 2021
“#RIP dear Peter Scolari,” actress Jackie Hoffman wrote. “I was lucky enough to work with you and learn from you onstage and screen. A sweet funny cool dude. I hope you get gigs wherever you are.”
#RIP dear Peter Scolari. I was lucky enough to work with you and learn from you onstage and screen. A sweet funny cool dude. I hope you get gigs wherever you are
— Jackie Hoffman (@JackieHoffman16) October 22, 2021
Peter was such an incredibly loving man. A giving and talented actor I’m so grateful to have been given the chance to work with. He will be missed. https://t.co/rdINIHYUZZ
— kevin daniels (@kevinddaniels) October 22, 2021
#PeterScolari was so great and so funny on "Bosom Buddies," "Girls," and more. RIP. https://t.co/H4HDyOHRfL
— Eric Tuchman (@erictuchman) October 22, 2021
Met #PeterScolari in NYC in 2013, backstage after a performance of “Lucky Guy”, which he starred in with longtime friend #TomHanks. Scolari was very nice and had quite a career, from “Bosom Buddies” and “Newhart” to an Emmy winning role on “Girls”. #RIP pic.twitter.com/GQZfytkO46
— LightsCameraJackson (@LCJReviews) October 22, 2021
RIP, Peter Scolari. A welcome, acerbic presence in everything he appeared in, from Bosom Buddies to Newhart to Girls. He and Tom Hanks were so good together that Bosom Buddies soon abandoned the dumb crossdressing premise; people just wanted to watch those guys be funny together. pic.twitter.com/6l6iiDWWDe
— Alan Sepinwall (@sepinwall) October 22, 2021
Every time Peter Scolari showed up in something he was the kind of actor to make you say “oh yay Peter Scolari!” Every single time. What a loss, especially after the work he was doing in recent years. pic.twitter.com/ataFU6SBia
— Whitney McIntosh (@WhitneyM02) October 22, 2021
Rest in peace, @PeterScolari
— Jen+ (@jenvargas) October 22, 2021
Sorry to hear that Peter Scolari lost his battle with cancer. He was a wonderful actor and a stand-up guy. May he rest in eternal peace.
— Elgin Charles (@ElginCharles) October 22, 2021
RIP the great Peter Scolari, such a wonderful, humane actor, on back to Bosom Buddies.
— Gremliny Nussboo (@emilynussbaum) October 22, 2021
Very sad to hear about Peter Scolari. "Newhart" might be my favorite series of all time an his take on local TV manager was too perfect. Thank you for all the great laughs and sharing your many talents. Rest in peace, sir. pic.twitter.com/KfTiaqWWj0
— Lucas Ross (@LucasRoss) October 22, 2021
Ah hell, RIP Peter Scolari. Though his BOSOM BUDDIES buddy Tom Hanks became the bigger star, I don't think anyone ever felt bad for Scolari, who just kept on doing excellent work, mostly on television, for the next 40 years… right up to EVIL, recently. A wonderful career.
— Noel Murray (@NoelMu) October 22, 2021
RIP Peter Scolari. Such a great actor and so many wonderful, funny & deeply felt performances, including on the most recent season of Evil. https://t.co/bACdSsaQBl
— Connor Ratliff (@connorratliff) October 22, 2021
"Girls" wouldn't have been "Girls" without Peter Scolari's performance: An endlessly intriguing mirror to Lena Dunham's character, and a constantly reversing character arc that felt coherent and clear in Scolari's telling. https://t.co/y4U4RWa7aw
— Daniel D'Addario (@DPD_) October 22, 2021
RIP Peter Scolari. I LOVED Bosom Buddies and Newhart. #FuckCancer pic.twitter.com/DDCkPw57SY
— Jeff Dwoskin Has A Podcast (@bigmacher) October 22, 2021