John Spencer (1946-2005)

This is a sad day. Two of the major factors in my current love affair with television were the first two masterpiece seasons of The West Wing. As extraordinary in its casting as its writing, a key cog in the machine of West Wing's ensemble was John Spencer, who died this morning of a heart attack.

Spencer's warm and witty Leo McGarry was often the heart and soul of the show, keeping a collected idealism amongst the storm of political manuevering. Spencer embodied McGarry with sage-like intelligence and a snarky sense of humor. Even as The West Wing became more dour in its later years, Spencer elevated every scene he was in. There's nothing greater in entertainment than seeing a great actor in his greatest role. This was one of the great matches in the history of television, and it's a great loss.