Patricia Heaton, who portrayed overworked mom Frankie Heck on The Middle, is remembering her late co-star Pat Finn, who died earlier this week in Los Angeles.
Heaton shared several photos of Finn and her fellow The Middle cast members Neil Flynn, Jenn Ray and Julie Brown in a post on Instagram.
“One of the finest and funniest human beings I know has left to be with Jesus,” she wrote. “Pat Finn, whom most of you know as Bill Norwood on The Middle had been battling cancer the last few years. At the too-young age of 60, he leaves behind his sweetheart Donna and three children. He was adored by all who knew him, and he leaves behind a legacy of love, friendship, and wonderful comedy. He graced our movie “Unexpected“ with a scene-stealing turn as a crazy psychiatrist. Our hearts are broken, but as faithful Catholics, we know we will see each other again through God‘s mercy. Rest in peace dear brother. #patfinn #restinpeace #love.”
Finn died December 22 at his Los Angeles home after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 60.
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From 2011 to 2018 Finn played nice-guy Bill Norwood on 23 episodes of The Middle, neighbor to the sitcom’s main characters the Hecks and good buddy of Neil Flynn’s Mike Heck.
His other TV credits include recurring roles on The George Wendt Show, Murphy Brown and his memorable portrayal of the party-throwing character Joe Mayo in “The Reverse Peephole” episode of Seinfeld in 1998.
He also appeared on That ’70s Show, The King of Queens, Friends, Third Rock From The Sun, Ed, as well as Yes, Dear, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Bernie Mac Show, Wizards of Waverly Place, 2 Broke Girls and The Goldbergs, among others. His film work included the 2000 comedy Dude, Where’s My Car, I Love You, Beth Cooper, and It’s Complicated starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, and Alec Baldwin.
Finn’s family released a heartfelt statement shared with Deadline, remembering him as someone who “never met a stranger – only friends he didn’t know yet. He knew all the state Capitals and every College Football Mascot. The family is certain that Pat’s dear friends and fellow Chicago legends, Chris Farley, George Wendt and Mike Hagerty (aka Hags) are saving him a seat on the couch to watch their beloved Bears. The family asks for the respect of your privacy at this time. They also ask you to be kind, to try and make one person’s life a little easier every day and to Bear Down. It’s what Pat would want, too.”