ER and West Wing actor John Aylward dies at 75 after struggling with deteriorating health

ER and West Wing actor John Aylward has passed away at the age of 75.

Aylward died Monday night at his Seattle home, according to a report Limit.

His wife, Mary Fields, told the publication that her husband’s health was deteriorating.

His death was confirmed to his longtime agent, Mitchell K. Stubbs.

“I was shocked,” Stubbs told the outlet. He was a wonderful actor and a wonderful human being.

“He was a dream client, a friend and a dream person.”

Aylward played Dr. Donald Ansu on the hit medical series from 1996 to 2008 and former DNC President Barry Goodwin on The West Wing from 2005 to 2006.

John played former DNC President Barry Goodwin in The West Wing from 2005 to 2006

Aylward as Professor Stutzer in The Mentalist

Elward was born and raised in Seattle and has acting credits dating back to the 1970s on IMDb.

However, his most famous role is probably that of Dr. Donald Ansu, a surgeon and a prominent member of the hospital board of directors in the emergency department.

Deadline reports Aylward was offered an audition for the part after ER co-producer Carol Flint saw him on the 1996 production of Psychopathia Sexualis. Aylward received the 1996 Drama Logue for Outstanding Performance for his role in the play.

Aylward played Niles in the 1993 movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III

Aylward has also appeared on TV shows including Alias, Cold Case, Boston Legal, Without a Trace, Nip/Tuck, The Practice, Everwood, The X-Files, Dharma & Greg, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Northern Exposure, The Mentalist and American Horror Story, Yellowstone, and most recently Briarbatch.

His film career has included parts in Water for Elephants, Down with Love, Armageddon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, and an unacknowledged role as a priest in Monster-in-Law.

He also lent his voice to the video game Half-Life 2: Episode Two, where he played Dr. Arne Magnusson.

Stubb’s talent agency paid tribute to Aylward on Twitter after learning of Aylward’s death.

I received a devastating call from Mary Fields, wife of John Aylward. We have left this sweet man and wonderful actor. So grateful to have known and worked with you, sir. RIP.’

‘We’ve Left This Good Guy and A Wonderful Actor’: Stubb’s talent agency praised Aylward on Twitter after learning of Aylward’s death