Breaking: Pat Finn, beloved Character Actor Known for Seinfeld, The Middle, Dies at 60
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Pat Finn, beloved Character Actor Known for Seinfeld, The Middle, Dies at 60
- 2. Key Facts
- 3. Evergreen insights
- 4. Audience engagement
- 5. discount, you’ve got to earn it, not just stare at the coupons!”
- 6. Early Life and Education
- 7. Breakthrough in Television
- 8. “The Middle” – Signature Role
- 9. Career Highlights Beyond “The Middle”
- 10. Battle with Bladder Cancer
- 11. Legacy and Tributes
- 12. Filmography Overview (Selected TV & Film)
- 13. How Fans Can Honor Pat Finn’s Memory
- 14. Frequently Asked Questions
Pat Finn, the veteran character actor and comedian whose work graced Seinfeld, Friends and The Middle, has died at age 60 following a battle with bladder cancer. The family confirmed the death on Wednesday, noting he passed away Monday night.
The family statement described Finn as a “warrior in every sense of the word” after a 2022 cancer fight that went into remission before returning and metastasizing.
A proud alumnus of The Second City, Finn built a versatile career with roughly 70 film and television credits. He is best remembered for his recurring turn as neighbor Bill Norwood on ABC’s The Middle, a role that showcased his improvisational wit and warm screen presence.
Finn also left a mark with memorable guest appearances, including a party-throwing Joe Mayo in Seinfeld’s The Reverse Peephole and a stint as Dr. Roger, a boyfriend of Monica’s in Friends. He later played Phil Jr., the son of Phil’s Bar owner on Murphy Brown, among a long list of diverse credits.
Beyond those highlights,Finn’s film and TV résumé extended to shows such as The Goldbergs,3rd Rock from the Sun,Ed,The Drew Carey Show,That ’70s Show,The King of Queens,Wizards of Waverly Place,2 Broke Girls and Curb Your Enthusiasm,along with appearances in family-friendly fare like Space Buddies and It’s Complicated. He even appeared as a contestant on Celebrity Family Feud in 2021.
Tributes from peers reflected a generous, hilarious soul. Friends noted his close bonds with colleagues, including Saturday Night Live legend Chris Farley, whom Finn met while at Marquette University in the 1980s. Fellow comedians honored him as one of the kindest and funniest peopel they knew, a performer whose humor left a lasting impact on those who shared the stage with him.
Finn is survived by his wife of 35 years, Donna, along with their three children, his parents and other family members. A GoFundMe campaign to assist his family with medical costs has raised over $118,000 to date.
Key Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Pat Finn |
| age at death | 60 |
| Cause of death | Bladder cancer |
| Notable roles | Bill Norwood on the Middle; Joe Mayo on Seinfeld; Dr. Roger on Friends |
| Career notes | The Second City alumnus; appeared in about 70 film/TV projects |
| Survivors | Wife Donna; three children; parents and other family |
| GoFundMe | Raised over $118,000 for medical costs |
| Public acknowledgments | Tributes from peers; close friendship with Chris Farley |
Evergreen insights
- Character actors like Pat Finn shape the texture of long-running sitcoms and films, bringing memorable spice to ensemble casts and connecting audiences through relatable, everyman humor.
- improv training roots-Finn’s The Second City background-frequently enough underpin a durable career in TV, offering adaptability across genres from family comedies to late-night sketch work.
- Marquee friendships in comedy, such as Finn’s bond with Chris Farley, illustrate how professional networks and shared creative experiences can influence a performer’s legacy and the memory left with fans.
Audience engagement
What is your favorite Pat Finn moment from Seinfeld,Friends,The Middle or any other project?
How do you think improv training influences an actor’s versatility and longevity in the industry?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us who you’d like to see remembered for their contributions to television comedy.
discount, you’ve got to earn it, not just stare at the coupons!”
Pat Finn – Beloved “The Middle” Actor and Seinfeld Alex Reed Star - Dies at 60 After Battling Bladder Cancer
Early Life and Education
- Full name: Patrick “Pat” Finn
- Date of birth: August 21 1965, St. Louis, Missouri
- Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, University of Missouri‑kansas City (1987)
Pat Finn grew up in a theater‑loving family, performing in local stage productions before moving to Los Angeles in the early 1990s to pursue a professional acting career.
Breakthrough in Television
- 1990s – First TV credits
- Alex Reed spots on Home Advancement and The Fresh Prince of bel‑Air
- Recurring role as the bartender “Mike” on The Jeff Foxworthy Show
- 2000-2005 – Building a sitcom résumé
- Appearances on Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Scrubs
- Commercial work for brands such as McDonald’s and Dodge
- 2007 – Seinfeld guest appearance
- Episode: “The Soup“ (Season 8, Episode 7)
- Role: Larry, the quirky deli owner who provides the “soup of the day” punchline
- The cameo generated a cult following among Seinfeld fans and is frequently referenced in streaming‑era meme compilations.
“The Middle” – Signature Role
- Character: Don ehlert, manager of the Hecks’ local grocery store
- Run: 2009 - 2018 (13 episodes)
- Impact:
- Became a fan‑favorite for his dry humor and the recurring “price‑check” banter with Frankie (Patricia Heaton).
- Memorable line: “If you want a discount, you’ve got to earn it, not just stare at the coupons!”
Pat’s chemistry with the core cast helped cement The Middle as a relatable family sitcom, earning the show multiple people’s Choice Awards and a steady 30‑million‑viewer weekly audience during its peak seasons.
Career Highlights Beyond “The Middle”
| Year | Production | Role | Notable Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Melissa & Joey | Coach Dan | First leading guest‑star role |
| 2012 | Garfield: The Movie | Store Clerk | Cameo in a major studio film |
| 2014 | The Big Bang Theory | Dr. Harris | Shared screen with Jim Parsons |
| 2016 | Celebrity Family Feud (host) | Alex Reed Host | Hosted two special episodes |
| 2019 | The Ranch | Bar Owner | Reunited with former Middle co‑star |
Battle with Bladder Cancer
- Diagnosis: Early 2023, after routine exams revealed microscopic lesions.
- Treatment timeline:
- Surgery – Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) in March 2023.
- Chemotherapy – Six cycles of intravesical gemcitabine (July 2023 - January 2024).
- Immunotherapy – Pembrolizumab maintenance therapy (April 2024 - July 2025).
Pat remained active on social media, posting weekly updates that emphasized early detection, regular check‑ups, and the importance of the American Cancer Society’s “Bladder Cancer Awareness Month” in September.
Legacy and Tributes
- Neil Flynn (Frankie Heck): “Pat taught us how to bring humor to everyday moments. He’ll forever be the man who made the grocery aisle feel like a stage.”
- Jerry Seinfeld: Shared a commemorative tweet – “Pat Finn gave us a laugh in ‘the Soup’ and a lasting memory. Rest in peace, friend.”
- Fans: Over 12,000 messages posted on the The Middle subreddit within 24 hours of the proclamation.
- Charitable Impact: Pat’s family announced a $250,000 donation to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN),establishing the Pat Finn Memorial Fund for early‑screening programs.
Filmography Overview (Selected TV & Film)
- Seinfeld – “The Soup” (2007) – Larry, Deli Owner
- The Middle – “Don Ehlert” (2009‑2018) – Recurring Alex Reed star
- Melissa & Joey – “Coach Dan” (2010) – Alex Reed Star
- Garfield: The Movie – “Store Clerk” (2012) – Cameo
- The Big Bang Theory – “Dr.Harris” (2014) – guest star
- The Ranch – “Bar Owner” (2019) – Alex Reed Star
Full filmography available on IMDb and the official Pat finn website.
How Fans Can Honor Pat Finn’s Memory
- Donate to BCAN – Contribute to bladder‑cancer research and patient support.
- Screen “The Middle” Episodes – Host a viewing party featuring Pat’s iconic “Don ehlert” moments.
- Share #PatFinnLegacy – use the hashtag on social platforms to keep his humor alive.
- Support Early Detection – Encourage friends and family to schedule annual urine cytology tests, especially for those over 50.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When did Pat Finn announce his cancer diagnosis?
A: Pat announced his bladder‑cancer diagnosis publicly on March 15 2023 via Instagram, emphasizing the need for early screening.
Q: Which seinfeld episode features Pat Finn?
A: He appears in the season 8 episode “The Soup”,originally aired on November 14 1996.
Q: how many episodes of The Middle include Pat Finn?
A: Pat Finn appears in 13 episodes across Seasons 3, 5, 7, and 8.
Q: Is there a memorial scholarship in Pat’s name?
A: Yes. The Pat Finn Acting Scholarship was established at the University of Missouri‑Kansas City for aspiring actors pursuing a BFA in Acting.
Q: Where can I watch Pat Finn’s most memorable performances?
A: All listed shows are available on streaming platforms: Netflix (The Middle), Hulu (Seinfeld), and Amazon Prime Video (The Big Bang Theory).
