Pat Finn, the beloved actor known for his roles in Seinfeld and Friends, has died at the age of 60 following a battle with cancer.
Finn passed away on December 22 at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family. While initial reports did not confirm the exact cancer type, a statement later revealed the Illinois native had battled bladder cancer in 2022 and went into remission before it returned and metastasized.
“He was a warrior in every sense of the word,” his rep said in a statement obtained by the New York Post.
His death was first reported by TMZ and later confirmed by his representative, who told PEOPLE: “He was the kindest, most joyful person in any room and was surrounded by his incredibly close and loving family and friends. We will all miss his big smile and even bigger heart.”
Although Finn had dozens of television and film credits, he was perhaps best known for playing Bill Norwood on The Middle from 2011 to 2018.
The ABC sitcom starred Patricia Heaton and Neil Flynn as a middle-class couple raising three kids in Indiana. Finn’s character, Bill, was Mike Heck’s friendly, football-loving neighbor.
He also made memorable appearances on two of the most iconic sitcoms of the '90s - as Dr. Roger, Monica’s boyfriend on Friends, and Joe Mayo on Seinfeld.
Other television roles included Murphy Brown, 3rd Rock From the Sun, Ed, and a main role as Dan Coleman in The George Wendt Show.
On the film side, he had small parts in cult comedies like Dude, Where’s My Car?, How High, I Love You, Beth Cooper, The Bachelor, and Dealin’ With Idiots. His last role was in the 2021 romantic comedy Funny Thing About Love.
A family man remembered for his kindness
Finn is survived by his wife of 35 years, Donna, and their three children: Cassidy, Caitlin, and Ryan.
In a touching statement, the family said, “After a beautiful life filled with laughter, love, family, and friends, we share the heartbreaking news of the death of Pat Finn. We know heaven is going to have quite the party with Pat Finn‘s arrival.”
They added that in his final days, Finn would often respond joyfully when his beloved Chicago Bears scored a touchdown. “No pressure, Bears - just saying - do it for Pat.”
"His life and legacy will be carried on through his beautiful family, including his wife Donna and three children, Cassidy, Caitlin and Ryan and the thousands of friends and family that he impacted," they concluded.
His daughter Cassidy shared a moving tribute on Instagram: “Dad… you were and are a role model and an inspiration to everyone you met. I tried to think of a word to describe you, but no word could ever do it justice. You are Pat Finn.”
She continued: “The least shocking thing was hearing the nurses say they have never seen so many people show up at a hospital for someone. That was my dad. My life is forever changed because of him."
“I feel like the luckiest person in the world that I got to call you my dad. Can’t wait to drink an Old Style with you again one day. I love you 10, Dad. Ok," she shared.
Tributes pour in for the comedy favorite
Tributes from friends and colleagues flooded social media. Comedian Jeff Dye posted a heartfelt message on X, calling Finn “one of the best dudes I knew with a PERFECT sense of humor.” He added, “I love you Pat Finn and I’ll see again in the after, we can sing together and shake our heads about all the meanness in the used to be.”
The Late Show writer Brian Stack remembered Finn as “as kind as he was brilliantly hilarious,” while actress and MADtv alum Mo Collins shared: “The generosity of heart and spirit of Pat will never leave us.”