John Spencer

John Spencer, an Emmy Award-winning actor best known for playing the shrewd chief of staff on the hit NBC drama “The West Wing,” died on Dec. 16 of a heart attack. He was 58.
Born John Speshock and raised in Paterson, N.J., Spencer moved to Manhattan when he was only 16 to attend the Professional Children’s School, a private academy for youths pursuing artistic careers. In 1963, he landed a recurring role on “The Patty Duke Show” as Henry Anderson, the boyfriend of the English twin Cathy. Spencer attended Fairleigh Dickenson University in New Jersey and New York University, but dropped out of both schools in order to act.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Spencer performed in regional theatres and in off-Broadway shows. He acted in David Mamet’s “Lakeboat,” Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie” and opposite Gloria Swanson in “Butterflies Are Free.” Spencer won an Obie Award in 1981 for his work in the off-Broadway production of “Still Life,” and received a Drama Desk nomination for “The Day Room.”
The actor made his feature film debut in 1980 in the film “War Games.” Small roles in “Sea of Love” and “Black Rain” soon followed. Spencer’s big break came in 1989 when he landed the part of Harrison Ford’s detective sidekick in the courtroom thriller “Presumed Innocent.” The role brought him to the attention of David E. Kelley, who invited Spencer to join the cast of the NBC legal drama “L.A. Law.” When the show ended four years later, Spencer returned to the big screen in “Forget Paris,” “The Rock,” “Albino Alligator,” “Cop Land” and “The Negotiator.”
Spencer guest starred on “Miami Vice,” “Spenser for Hire,” “Law & Order,” “Touched By An Angel” and “Lois & Clark,” among other TV shows, then landed the role that would make him a star. In 1998, he was cast as Leo McGarry, a powerful politician and right-hand man to President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet (Martin Sheen), on the NBC political drama “The West Wing.” Like his character, Spencer was known for being a loyal, kind-hearted person and recovering alcoholic. In a strange twist of fate, however, McGarry suffered a heart attack last season, one that forced him to give up his White House job. The character recovered and was picked as a running mate for Democratic presidential contender Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits).
Spencer received five Emmy nominations for his work on “The West Wing,” and won the award in 2002. The critically-acclaimed series, currently in its seventh season of production, has not announced how it plans to handles his real life death. Off the set, Spencer was an avid reader, gardener and art collector. He also participated in the New York and L.A. AIDSWalk, which benefit local clinics and AIDS patients.
• Listen to an Interview With Spencer