Jack Riley, who played the loveable neurotic patient Elliot Carlin on The Bob Newhart Show and Stu Pickles on Rugrats, has passed away.
Riley’s wife, Ginger Lawrence confirmed to Deadline that the 80-year-old actor died of pneumonia and infection.
The couple met on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In in the 60s, where Lawrence worked as a producer’s assistant.
Riley also starred in several of Mel Brooks’ movies, including High Anxiety, Space Balls and History of the World, Part 1, as well as Boogie Night.
Riley was born in Cleveland, Ohio in December 1935. After serving in the U.S. Army, Riley started a career in radio, where he became quite popular in his home city.
In the ’60s, Riley moved to Los Angeles where he honed his comedic chops by writing and acting.
Riley was perhaps most famous for his role on The Bob Newhart show, in which his character was described as “neurotic, sour and selfish patient” Elliot Carlin.
Riley also guest-starred on popular shows of the past twenty years such as Seinfeld, Friends, and Night Court.
Many who grew up watching Rugrats on Nickelodeon will recognize Riley’s voice, since he played Tommy Pickles’ dad, Stu in 143 episodes of the iconic cartoon series.
Those in the entertainment industry who worked with Riley remembered the comedian fondly on Twitter.
“What a lovely man. Proud to have known him,” composer Steve Orich wrote.
“#RIP Actor Jack Riley, the eternally morose Elliot Carlin on ‘The Bob Newhart Show,” The Hollywood Reporter‘s Mike Barnes tweeted.
RIP, one of my favorite actors, Jack Riley. He was such a great person, nothing at all like the mean guy he played on he Bob Newhart Show,” actor Fred Stoller wrote.
“Group is cancelled today. Mr. Carlin is unavailable,” writer Bill Chuck tweeted. “The great Jack Riley has died at age 80.”
