Fred Willard
The Tonight Show

Talent Scout, Tempe

Helping to "find the funny" this season on Last Comic Standing as a talent scout in Tempe this season is veteran stage, screen and TV actor Fred Willard.

Fred Willard radiates a unique charm that has established him as one of our generation's most gifted comic actors. A master of sketch comedy, Fred is most heralded for his quick wit and improvisational expertise. Fred is an alumnus of The Second City and was a co-founder of the comedy group Ace Trucking Company which appeared on the "Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson over fifty times as well as being regulars on the "Tom Jones Show."

As a sketch performer, Fred appears on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno. His reoccurring character, Willard J. Fredericks brings much laughter. Over the years, he has appeared as a number of other characters on "The Tonight Show". These appearances are indicative of his ability to transform any character into a unique comic portrayal. He has played such diverse characters as Skippy Hussein, President Clinton's dog, Buddy, and Christopher Columbus. Jay Leno calls Fred, "The funniest man in the world."

Fred writes a monthly column for Stuff Magazine (a sister publication of Maxim). His column will surely make you laugh out loud!

Fred also currently stars on the FOX comedy Back to You with Patricia Heaton and Kelsey Grammer. Fred and Martin Mull co-starred in the ground breaking comedies Fernwood 2Night and America 2Night and was honored by the Museum of Television and Radio. Fred was nominated for an Emmy for best daytime talk show host for What's Hot, What's Not.

Fred was co-star of the critically acclaimed WB TV series Maybe It's Me and in the FOX TV series A Minute With Stan Hooper. Stan Hooper starred Norm Macdonald, and behind the show: Barry Kemp, veteran sitcom writer and producer whose work dates to Newhart and Coach. Of course Fred continued on Everybody Loves Raymond as Amy's Dad and Robert's father-in-law.

Fred also has an extensive Film and Stage career.