Ken Howard, veteran character actor and president of the SAG-AFTRA actors' union, died Wednesday in Los Angeles, California. He was 71.
Howard's death was confirmed in a statement released by SAG-AFTRA, who said they were "deeply saddened" by his passing.
"Ken was an accomplished actor, author, teacher and unionist whose steady leadership as president of Screen Actors Guild positioned him to guide the union's historic 2012 merger with American Federation of Television and Radio Artists," the statement continued.
His cause of death has not yet been announced.
Howard famously starred in the television series The White Shadow from 1978 to 1981. In the sports drama, Howard played Ken Reeves, a retired professional basketball player who takes a job as a coach at an underfunded inner-city high school.
Howard won a Primetime Emmy for his role in HBO's 2009 dramatization of the documentary Grey Gardens. That same month, the actor was elected president of the SAG.
More recently, he starred in a recurring role as cable company exec Hank Hooper on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock.
Howard also enjoyed a successful theater career. He appeared in numerous Broadway productions over the years and won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Drama in 1970 for his performance in Child's Play.
Howard left an indelible mark in Hollywood, evidenced in the outpouring of condolences from stars throughout the industry.
George Clooney released a statement to ET, sharing his memory of the first time he met Howard as a up-and-coming performer:
"There's a story about how a young actor met Ken on the Fox lot in 1983 and told him what a fan he was of The White Shadow. Ken asked that actor what he did and the young man said, 'well someday I hope to be lucky enough to work with you.' Then he told Ken he had an audition all the way across town at Paramount but he wasn't going to make it because all he had was a bike. So Ken put his bike in the trunk of his car and dropped him off at Paramount. Then Ken just waved goodbye and said good luck, 'I hope we do get that chance to work together.' "I didn't get that audition, but I did get the chance to work with him years later. It was an honor. Today his obituary read that he was six foot six, but he was so much taller than that."
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Howard's ex-wife, former advice columnist Margo Howard, paid tribute to her former husband in a series of messages on Twitter, writing, "My favorite ex-husband has died. He was a lovely guy. RIP Ken Howard."
My favorite ex-husband has died. He was a lovely guy. RIP Ken Howard.
— Margo Howard (@Margoandhow) March 23, 2016
She also shared a picture of Howard from his younger days, which she captioned, "This was the Ken Howard I married. Good times."
This was the Ken Howard I married. Good times. pic.twitter.com/8pu5ddCU2a
— Margo Howard (@Margoandhow) March 23, 2016
The two were married in 1977 and parted ways in 1991. The next year, Howard tied the knot with stunt woman Linda Fetters, and the two remained married until his death.
A number of other stars took to social media to share their memories of the actor, including Two and a Half Men star Jon Cryer, Will & Grace star Debra Messing, Frozen's Josh Gad, The Mindy Project's Ike Barinholtz and Howard's 30 Rock co-star John Lutz, among many others.
Words cannot express my sadness for the loss of my dear friend and Wedding Ringer co-star #KenHoward. Condolences to his family. RIP
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) March 23, 2016
Oh No! RIP KEN HOWARD🙏🏻 https://t.co/aiA8yxacG8
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) March 23, 2016
RIP Ken Howard. He played my dad on a pilot once and told me great Mickey Mantle stories
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) March 23, 2016
Ken Howard was such a kind and talented actor who could really pull off wearing a mustache. RIP
— John Lutz (@ShutupLutz) March 23, 2016
One of the best parts of my job is when i work with actors I loved as a kid and they're even more kind than I imagined. RIP Ken Howard.
— Greg Berlanti (@GBerlanti) March 23, 2016
Here's Bill Daniels, my dad, and Ken Howard on B'way in "1776"
This just breaks my heart. #RIPKenHoward pic.twitter.com/rWbjJ3s9SA
— Jon Cryer (@MrJonCryer) March 23, 2016Fondly remembering Ken Howard, the very warm and funny actor known to us on The Office as Ed Truck. pic.twitter.com/7oTWH5CuFb
— B.J. Novak (@bjnovak) March 24, 2016
A photo posted by @normancook on
Rest in peace #kenhoward it was an honor.
A photo posted by Jorge Garcia (@pronouncedhorhay) on
Ken Howard as Ed Truck on #theoffice. He was a great guy and also in the best onscreen prop photo of all time! pic.twitter.com/pIflSsdvxv
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) March 24, 2016
Will always remember working with the great Ken Howard on one of my favorite #WestWing scenes ever. #PutHimOnTheBuss
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) March 24, 2016
Legend. Rest in Peace Ken Howard pic.twitter.com/yRlfjb4BYa
— Jerry O'Connell (@MrJerryOC) March 23, 2016
Ken Howard was a wonderful actor, a wonderful person--with a great laugh. I will really miss him. pic.twitter.com/SOZeJAtfmK
— Illeana Douglas (@Illeanarama) March 23, 2016
Heartbroken to hear about the passing of my friend Ken Howard. He was a joy to work with as an actor & labor leader.A true force of nature.
— Melissa Gilbert (@GilbertforMI) March 23, 2016
Wow- shocked to hear of the passing of Ken Howard- a true gentleman & mentor since my college days, and a great president of our Union.
— donal logue (@donallogue) March 23, 2016