Former The Middle actress Patricia Heaton is mourning the death of her late costar Pat Finn.
“One of the finest and funniest human beings I know has left to be with Jesus,” Heaton, 67, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, December 25. “Pat Finn, whom most of you know as Bill Norwood on The Middle, had been battling cancer the last few years. At the too-young age of 60, he leaves behind his sweetheart, Donna, and three children.”
Heaton portrayed matriarch Frankie Heck on ABC’s The Middle, which ran for nine seasons from 2009 to 2018. Finn’s character, Bill Norwood, was one of the Heck family’s neighbors.
Finn died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday, December 23, at the age of 60.
“He was adored by all who knew him, and he leaves behind a legacy of love, friendship and wonderful comedy,” Heaton continued in her Thursday tribute. “He graced our movie Unexpected with a scene-stealing turn as a crazy psychiatrist.”
She concluded, “Our hearts are broken, but as faithful Catholics, we know we will see each other again through God’s mercy. Rest in peace, dear brother.”
Finn, who is survived by his wife and three children, died after a battle with bladder cancer.
Pat Finn and Patricia Heaton. Courtesy of Patricia Heaton/ Instagram
“It is with profound sadness and grief that the Finn family announces the passing of beloved comedic actor, Pat Finn,” the late actor’s rep wrote in a Wednesday, December 24, statement. “In 2022, Pat battled bladder cancer, went into remission, but the cancer returned and metastasized. He was a warrior in every sense of the word.”
In addition to Heaton, several of Finn’s other Hollywood colleagues have mourned his death.
“I don’t like to be the guy who posts pics with celebrities that pass. But this guy wasn’t just a celebrity to me. He was a friend,” comedian Jeff Dye wrote via X. “One of the best dudes I knew with a PERFECT sense of humor. I love you Pat Finn and I’ll see [you] again in the after. We can sing together and shake our heads about all the meanness in the used to be.”
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert writer Brian Steck also shared a tribute via X.
“Heartbroken that our dear friend, Pat Finn, passed away. As kind as he was brilliantly hilarious,” Steck tweeted. “Rest In Peace, Finner. We love you. … As our mutual friend Tom Purcell said, ‘I’ve never met anyone more loved than Pat Finn.’”
Eric Stonestreet and Dane Cook also shared their condolences.
“Everyone’s favorite guy @thatPatFinn sadly passed away this week. To say Pat was beloved is a gross understatement,” Stonestreet, 54, wrote via X. “No ONE and I mean NO ONE jumped quicker and more head first into a bit with you than Pat Finn. He was the definition of what an improviser is and also the definition of what a good guy is.”
Cook, 53, for his part, recalled that Finn was “genuinely funny and just a good guy.”
“Sad to hear Pat Finn passed away. My condolences to his family,” Cook wrote. “He had a great career. Tough to hear this news.”
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