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Whitney Rydbeck, known for his roles in “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives” and “M*A*S*H,” passed away at 79 from prostate cancer complications.
Why it matters: Rydbeck’s career spanned over 50 movies and TV shows, leaving a lasting impact on the entertainment industry and public safety awareness.
The details:
- Rydbeck died last Monday while in hospice care in Chatsworth, California.
- He was born in Los Angeles and studied theater at Cal State Fullerton.
- Rydbeck made his acting debut in 1970 and appeared in shows like “The Brady Bunch,” “M*A*S*H,” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”
- In “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives,” he played Roy, a paintball soldier who becomes one of Jason Voorhees’ victims.
What they’re saying:
- “We lost not only a truly funny comedian and actor…but one of the most good-hearted human beings I’ve ever known,” said Tommy McLoughlin, director of “Friday the 13th Part VI.”
- “God Bless You and Rest in Peace.. Whitney Rydbeck. Our Loss is Heaven’s Gain,” McLoughlin added.
The legacy: Rydbeck’s portrayal of crash test dummy “Larry” in seat belt safety PSAs during the 1980s and 1990s contributed to public safety awareness. One of his original outfits ended up in the Smithsonian.
The background: Rydbeck was a member of the Richmond Shepard Mime Troupe and the L.A. Mime Company before pursuing his acting career.
What’s next: Rydbeck’s contributions to film, television, and education leave a lasting legacy. He is survived by his longtime partner, Claire.
Full story
Whitney Rydbeck, an actor known for his roles in “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives” and “M*A*S*H,” died last Monday at the age of 79. He passed away from complications related to prostate cancer while in hospice care in Chatsworth, California. Tommy McLoughlin, who directed Rydbeck in the sixth “Friday the 13th” film, confirmed the actor’s death on Instagram.
“We lost not only a truly funny comedian and actor…but one of the most good-hearted human beings I’ve ever known,” McLoughlin wrote. Born in Los Angeles, Rydbeck attended Pasadena High School, Pasadena City College, and Cal State Fullerton, where he studied theater.
Whitney’s enduring entertainment legacy
He later became a mime and made his acting debut in 1970 on the TV show “Nanny and the Professor.”
Throughout his career, Rydbeck appeared in numerous popular television shows, including “The Brady Bunch,” “M*A*S*H,” “Monster Squad,” “7th Heaven,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Living Single,” and “Party of Five.” He also had roles in films such as “Love at First Bite,” “Rocky II,” “1941,” “Oliver & Company,” “A Very Brady Sequel,” and “Murder of Innocence.”
In “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives,” Rydbeck portrayed Roy, a paintball soldier who becomes a victim of the infamous killer Jason Voorhees. He was also well-known for his role as “Larry,” a crash test dummy in seat belt safety public service announcements during the 1980s. Rydbeck retired from acting after the 2007 short film “The Oates’ Valor.” In recent years, he worked as a drama teacher at Pasadena City College.
Whitney Rydbeck’s contributions to film, television, and education leave a lasting impact on the entertainment industry and beyond. He is survived by his longtime partner, Claire.
- Yahoo.”Whitney Rydbeck, ‘Friday the 13th’ and ‘M*A*S*H’ actor, dead at 79″.
- Deadline.”Whitney Rydbeck Dies: ‘Friday The 13th’ Actor And PSA Character Was 79″.
- TheWrap.”Whitney Rydbeck, Crash Test Dummy Ad Campaign Star and ‘Friday the 13th’ Actor, Dies at 79″.