Pat Finn, Beloved Comedic Actor of ‘The Middle,’ Dies at 60
The character actor, known for his roles in numerous television series and films, passed away Tuesday morning at his Los Angeles home following a battle with cancer.
Pat Finn, a familiar face to television audiences for decades, has died at the age of 60. According to family sources who spoke with TMZ, the Illinois native passed away Tuesday morning surrounded by loved ones. While the specific type of cancer has not been publicly disclosed, reports indicate Finn was diagnosed with bladder cancer several years ago.
Finn was perhaps best recognized for his recurring role as Bill Norwood on the ABC sitcom The Middle, appearing in 130 episodes from 2011 to 2018. He portrayed a friendly and relatable neighbor to the Heck family, often seen enjoying football with Mike Heck. But his career spanned far beyond The Middle, encompassing a wide range of television and film appearances.
The actor’s extensive television credits include appearances on The George Wendt Show, Murphy Brown, Friends, Seinfeld, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and Ed. In a 1998 episode of Seinfeld titled “The Reverse Peephole,” Finn played Joe Mayo alongside Jerry Seinfeld and Jason Alexander. He also took on the role of Dr. Roger in Friends, appearing in the two-part episode “The One That Could Have Been.”
Finn’s filmography includes roles in The Bachelor (1999), starring Chris O’Donnell and Renée Zellweger, and Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000) alongside Ashton Kutcher. His final on-screen appearance was in the 2021 romantic comedy Funny Thing About Love.
Born and raised in Wilmette, Illinois, Finn graduated from Marquette University in 1987, where he forged a close friendship with comedian Chris Farley. The two were teammates on the university’s rugby team and shared a living space. Together, they honed their comedic skills as members of The Second City’s National Touring Company, performing in Chicago and laying the groundwork for their future successes.
The impact of Finn’s kindness and humor resonated deeply with his peers. Comedian Jeff Dye shared a heartfelt tribute on X, stating, “I don’t like to be the guy who posts pics with celebrities that pass. But this guy wasn’t just a celebrity to me. He was a friend. One of the best dudes I knew with a PERFECT sense of humor. 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.”
Brian Stack, a writer for The Late Show, described Finn as “As kind as he was brilliantly hilarious.” Actor and comedian Jeff Garlin remembered his “dear friend Pat Finn” as “Funny, yes. Too funny. Joyous, yes, he,” while actress and comedian Mo Collins wrote on Instagram, “The generosity of heart and spirit of Pat will never leave us.”
Pat Finn is survived by his wife, Donna, and their two children, Cassidy and Caitlin. His contributions to comedy and the warmth he brought to his roles will be deeply missed by fans and colleagues alike.
