Ray Donovan actor Jay Thomas has lost his battle with cancer. He was 69.
The news comes from his agent and longtime friend Don Buchwald, reports nydailynews.com. “Jay was one of a kind, never at a loss for words and filled with so much fun and wonderfully whacky thoughts and behavior,” said Buchwald, who repped Thomas for 35 years.
Thomas was best known for playing Jerry Gold on Murphy Brown from 1989 to 1998. He also played Rhea Perlman’s TV husband Eddie LeBec on Cheers from 1987 to 1989 before his character was run over by a zamboni.
Thomas starred on the hit sitcom Love & War from 1992 to 1995. He was also unforgettable on Mork & Mindy from 1979 to 1981.
Thomas’ wife Sally and his sons Sam, Jake and JT were by his side at his Santa Barbara home when he passed away on Thursday morning.
According to Buchwald, “Sally and the boys were the true passion of his life”.
Some tributes on Twitter:
Jay Thomas was super talented and a legend. I’m lucky to have known him as a friend and mentor. Incredibly sad to have lost him.
— Pete Dominick (@PeteDominick) August 24, 2017
RIP Jay Thomas. Your annual football tosses & Lone Ranger story on #Letterman were as legendary as your career. pic.twitter.com/erOharpntD
— Vince 22 (@VinceGagliardi) August 24, 2017
RIP Jay Thomas, comic actor from Mork & Mindy, Cheers, Murphy Brown and more pic.twitter.com/h5QknhAmAn
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 24, 2017
Feature Image: The Rolling Stones
