Peter Scolari, the display and stage actor who rose to fame alongside Tom Hanks within the gender-bending sitcom Bosom Buddies and gained an Emmy for his guest-starring position on Girls in 2016, has died after a two-year battle with most cancers. He was 66. He is survived by his spouse, Tracy Shayne, and 4 youngsters: Nicholas, Joseph, Keaton and Cali.
Scolari was paired with then-unknown Hanks in 1980’s Bosom Buddies, about two males who pose as girls as a way to lease in an inexpensive, all-women house constructing. The two actors cast a friendship that endured for many years afterwards, with Scolari showing in Hanks’s 1996 directorial debut, That Thing You Do!, in addition to the Emmy-winning 1998 HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon, which Hanks produced. The two extra not too long ago collaborated on the 2017 audiobook for Hanks’s assortment of quick tales, Uncommon Type.
Post-Buddies, Scolari labored steadily in TV, guest-starring in reveals similar to Happy Days, Family Ties and The Love Boat. He notably performed Michael Harris in Newhart, which ran from 1984 to 1990. Co-star Julia Duffy tweeted out a photograph of the 2 from the present, declaring that there was “no better partner.”
From 1997 to 2000, Scolari starred as inventor Wayne Szalinski in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show. In 2012, he joined the forged of Girls as the daddy of Hannah Horvath (performed by Lena Dunham), successful an Emmy for his visitor position in 2016. Following his first look on Girls, he appeared on reveals similar to White Collar, Gotham, The Good Fight, and Fosse/Verdon. Most not too long ago, he recurred on the Paramount+ sequence Evil as Bishop Thomas Marx.
His time on the Broadway stage included roles in Wicked, Sly Fox, and Hairspray. He re-teamed with Hanks in 2013’s Lucky Guy, which was written by Nora Ephron.
Scolari’s friends in Hollywood provided tributes to their good friend and colleague. Robert King, co-creator and showrunner of Evil, wrote on Twitter, “Peter Scolari, who died today, was one of the funniest — sneakily funny — actors we’ve worked with. He always took a nothing scene and found different ways to twist it, and throw in odd pauses that made it jump. I will try to collect my thoughts more. He was just wonderful.”
Peter Scolari, who died right this moment, was one of many funniest—sneakily humorous—actors we’ve labored with. He at all times took a nothing scene and located alternative ways to twist it, and throw in odd pauses that made it leap. I’ll attempt to gather my ideas extra. He was simply fantastic. pic.twitter.com/25z6xgmD3f
— Robert King (@RKing618) October 22, 2021
Harvey Fierstein tweeted, “Sad to see the news that Peter Scolari lost his battle with cancer. There wasn’t a sweeter man on the planet. We performed together in Hairspray for a time and he was always a total delight. Farewell, dear Peter.”
Sad to see the information that Peter Scolari misplaced his battle with most cancers. There wasn’t a sweeter man on the planet. We carried out collectively in HAIRSPRAY for a time and he was at all times a complete delight. Farewell, expensive Peter.https://t.co/1TPjakwLT3
— Harvey Fierstein (@HarveyFierstein) October 22, 2021
Only Murders within the Building actress Jackie Hoffman shared, “#RIP dear Peter Scolari. I was lucky enough to work with you and learn from you onstage and screen. A sweet funny cool dude. I hope you get gigs wherever you are.”
#RIP expensive Peter Scolari. I used to be fortunate sufficient to work with you and be taught from you onstage and display. A candy humorous cool dude. I hope you get gigs wherever you might be
— Jackie Hoffman (@JackieHoffman16) October 22, 2021
Better Call Saul actor Michael McKean wrote, “We knew this was coming. Doesn’t make it easier. RIP, Peter my friend.”