'The West Wing' Cast Remembers John Spencer And Kathryn Joosten | Entertainment Weekly
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- Aaron Sorkin, Bradley Whitford, Dulé Hill, Marlee Matlin, Janel Moloney, Josh Malina, Mary McCormack, and Richard Schiff reflect on their 'West Wing' co-stars John Spencer and Kathryn Joosten who are no longer with us.
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'The West Wing' Cast Remembers John Spencer And Kathryn Joosten | Entertainment Weekly
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I never tire of rewatching this show. Every actor deserves recognition for a job well done.
I’m Canadian, and lived/worked in West LA for 4 years, from 1990-94. One night my girlfriend and I went out and had dinner at a great but inexpensive Mexican restaurant on Pico. It was quite busy that night. When our name was called they gave us a 4-seater. We were about to order when our server came over and asked if we would mind if a gentleman sat and had dinner with us, as it was crazy busy. That gentleman turned out to be John Spencer, who was then part of the LA Law cast, and we ended up having a great conversation over dinner. He was a real mensch. RIP.
Wow, what a great story. I've just been rewatching LA Law, he had great charisma and commanded every scene he was in. As he did in West Wing.
The scene where Mrs. Landingham tells Charlie about her boys is absolutely some of the best acting I've ever scene. I know her part by heart and I get chills every time I hear it.
As a mom of two sons her talking about how her sons needed her at that moment sends tears down my cheeks, mothers would walk through hell to prevent our children from hurting and not to be with them at the time when they need as the most...please remember all of the people who had to die alone because of this hideous virus and let's stop the spread of covid!
Dule's expression after hearing her story shouldn't be underestimated, either after hearing her say, "I just miss my boys." It captured so well what the audience was feeling.
@@watsonsd1 I completely agree! So much talent went into giving us those moments. "I just miss my boys" just hits me in the feels every single time. Mrs. Landingham was hundreds of parents who lost their boys in Vietnam.
I can count the times I've cried almost uncontrollably while watching a television show on two fingers and her story about her sons had me bawling.
"i miss my boys" cue the SOBBING
I had the honor of being on the crew of the pilot of The West Wing. The cast was by far the most professional and pleasant of any I encountered in my career. Although I enjoyed all the cast, Rob and John were the two that I spent the most time chatting with. Rob and I had a mutual friend in Bill Paxton, and we had a lot of fun sharing stories about him during idle moments. But John was on a different level. He and I interacted during the work of the set-ups, the takes, and between takes. We enjoyed working together, feeding off the mutual energy to bring our best to the scene at hand. Although I moved on to other productions there on the Warner Brothers lot at the time, I would occasionally be called in to help for a day or two on The West Wing. It was always a fun reunion with John. Occasionally we would run into each other in passing on the lot, and John would always have the same greeting. "When are you coming back? I love it when you photograph me." We miss you, John. Thank you for all you brought us. Rest in peace, brother.
Thank you for sharing this lovely story of working with him.
Really? You want people to believe you when you post under the name of "Joe Bagadoughnuts"?!!
@@tomsampson8084 Whether you or others found the content of the comments truthful or not was/is not a requirement for me. It is a statement of tribute to John. Tom Sampson may not wish anonymity in his life. Some of us do. Cheers.
@@tomsampson8084 I’m a judge and definitely don’t use my name to post on RUclips as a private citizen. The fact you can’t discern why anyone would use a screen name speaks volumes about your ignorance and nothing about strangers’ truthfulness. Either that or you’re a juvenile, petty troll. Who am I kidding? You can be both. Thanks for sharing, Karen/Kevin🙄
Sure dude, someone who worked on the west wing would post on a comment section
two cathedrals still gives me chills to this day. one of the greatest hours of television ever.
With the October 15th presentation, 2 shows came to mind immediately for me: the one they chose with the chess set a major part of the program and "Two Cathedrals." I haven't seen either in 15+ years and I'm stilling getting a ull body chill just THINKING about the grandeur of the scripts, acting, timing, lighting, everything. Art like Michelangelo or
Mozart...timeless.
Maybe the best hour of TV ever made, during the best series that was ever on TV!
I immediately rewound the scene underscored by Dire Straits and watched it a second time. My mouth was agape. Both times. Chillzzzz
Absolutely. I watched it again the other day.
All that Latin I never learned in Catholic School, and having to look up the meaning of what he said. Ugh, in the feels.
The scene between Josh and Leo with the metaphor of the hole always makes me tear up. What a monologue. What an episode.
i actually had to pause this video when they started showing that scene to get myself emotionally ready. John Spencer is so special.
That episode is the best. Until I think of many more
@@srkh8966 Whole season 2 is brilliant. But "Noel" and "Two Cathedrals" are TV monuments in terms of writing and acting.
I love the way Bradley whitford talks about him, it seems like josh talking about Leo
“As long as I got a job, you got a job.” Hits right in the chest.
We need someone like John Spencer. 'How about John Spencer'?
The casting director needs a special shoutout for assembling this cast. Every actor with even smallest of roles is still remembered
I will never tire of his run ins with Lord John Marbury......”GERALD!!!!.........
Leo and Gerald scenes have a separate fanbase altogether 😂
YES. His expressions are gold 😂
All of his scenes with Emily Procter's Ainsley Hayes character were very funny, too
RIP Roger Rees another gone too soon. Saw him playing Hamlet at the RSC Barbican in 1985...just brilliant....A 24 year Kenneth Branagh was Laertes!
@@dvschroed This reminds me of Leo telling CJ and Josh that he'd hired Ainsley.
I met John Spencer about a year before he died at the American Airline lounge at LAX. We had a very nice conversation. He was thinking about getting a car. It was a very nice, very simple conversation. He was very sweet and kind. I wanted to thank him for indulging me but I didnt want to make it awkward.
Rob and Richard are 100% right - if Martin Sheen hadn't been given his monologue in Two Cathedrals, Kathryn's Joosten's moment in In Excelsis Deo would have been regarded as the best piece of acting in seven seasons of the best series acting we're ever likely to see.
Martin Sheen's monologue in that episode is one of the best in television history
I just start watching The West Wing, I LOVE this show! The topics are still relevant today, it's hard to believe it's 20 years old!
Greatest Chief of Staff America never had.
Nice! 🙂
Better than Martin Sheen?
Jon Hoover Yes
The character is based on Leon Panetta, who along with Jim Baker are probably the best CoS.
Leo McGarry was my favorite character. I sobbed when he died.
I remember Mr. Spencer winning his EMMY for supporting role on West Wing and how he right away gave a shout out to his Co-Stars for acknowledging his Win....one of those special people who just automatically makes everyone around them that much better!
Hi exuded such a warmth that all you wanted to do was reached through the screen and hug him. I remember crying my eyes out when he died in real life, And then when he died on the show I didn't think there was gonna be enough Kleenex in the world for me
Legends, all of them. What an ensemble, what a show.
Exactly what I think. The best tv show ever.
Loved John Spencer as Leo, one of the best. How they treated his passing in the show was so well done, a real tribute to him.
“This wouldn’t happen if you were on a cop show!”... and then Dulé Hill does Psych haha
You know that's right. C'mon son!
🍍
I don’t think there is two better shows on this planet
I worked as an extra on a TV movie John Spencer was in. I was behind him in the lunch line, and we talked about LA Law and whodunit in the movie mystery we were filming. He smirked and told me to stick around. (It was him.) The gig was a couple of weeks, and I didn't talk to him every day, but he was very sweet and charming to this little nobody (me). I was delighted when he became a regular on The West Wing.
My favorite light-hearted Leo scene is where he brings Ainsley Hayes in to offer her a job.
"I am standing up, which is what you do in a civilized world."
"Well, you go girl..."
Man, this made me cry. Thank you, John and Kathryn. We love you so much. 💓
I had the privilege to see Spencer on stage here at the Oregon Shakespearean Festival many years ago. He was fantastic. As for Joosten, she shined among a cast of very gifted talent in a rather unique roll. It could have been almost a bit part, but she did so much with it. Great actress.
God, I loved watching John Spencer and Kathryn Joosten. 💔💔💔💔. Did they have to add the scene from "Noel" ??? Breaks me EVERY TIME!! ....and the scene about "her boys"..... Wow...
John Spencer & Kathryn Joosten shared a birthday (December 20), so interesting they should be remembered in this video together
Netflix and West wing here I come! I’ve watched this show probably 10 or 15 times all the way through and now after watching these videos I’m gonna go rewatch it all over again
Rob Lowe was not wrong with what John Spencer could do with a few words. You can watch Leo say "yeah" in just about every scene, and that "yeah" might mean one thing one minute and another thing the next. The man knew how to act. And, Kathryn Joosten's exit was devastating and masterful at the same time.
When Charlie says that Mrs. Landingham died, man....it gets me every time.
@@bonniebusch7960 and Leo’s reaction. Long seconds of saying nothing, but seeing the grief and disbelief take hold. Brilliant. No one else could be Leo. He was perfect for the role. One minute bringing the hammer down with 3 words on someone who has to follow his orders, the next being the most compassionate support for Jed in his times of trouble.
I remember the episode when they took the trip to Camp David, when Leo had the heart attack. That moment felt so real, almost like an omen, and it really affected me deeply! I think it was only a year or year and a half later that John Spencer actually did die. It was sad and surreal!
That episode is the only one I absolutely cannot watch. That speaks to his talent. John made it so real. Amazing actor. Truly. I am choking up just typing this.
I miss this show and I loved Leo and Mrs. Landingham. One of the only shows where all of the characters were so rich. Long live John Spencer and Kathryn Joosten and the ENTIRE cast of WW!
Its on Netflix if you want rewatch it
@@camillecarey3328 Thanks! I will one day, for sure. Just grab some cheese puffs and binge.
I have all seven seasons. What an amazing cast of people. What excellent dialogue and what a precious man John Spencer was. I loved Leo and Margaret's bantering. Especially loved the segment about the "letter" and the 25th Amendment. Margaret says she practiced writing the President's signature and Leo has a fit! I loved the way he would go after Josh and Sam like sons.
"You shouldn't have done that, Toby. You absolutely shouldn't have done that".
😭
And then there was just the slightest grin. So subtle. And then she went to the funeral.
One of my FAVORITE moments.
Much appreciated reference, buddy!
But sometimes someone has to do the things we shouldn't.
Just saw the episode where John Spencer’s character dies. Tears. I’m so glad he almost made it to the end of the show. RIP John (and Kathryn).
God I forgot how much I missed John Spencer since watching the reunion show. My mother and I always remember Leo screaming " MARGARET! "
Aaron hit the nail on the head there is no one like John Spencer, just so shocking I still feel the sadness to this day, he was a beauty!! This show the actors just the best I know they have all gone on to do different things but I will always think of Richard Schiff as his character Dule same Bradley same and of course The President that we all wish was the real president . I know Im Canadian but still. Im going to rewatch it all:)
This was possibly the greatest TV series of all time. Definitely the greatest ensemble cast of all time. John & Kathryn were treasures that added both drama & heart. Anyone who watches it from the beginning to the end of the 2nd season (Two Cathedrals) will be hungry for more.
I'm misty eyed. One time I playfully mused on Facebook what West Wing character I was most aligned with. I thought I was most like Toby, but a person I had worked with for many years said I was more like Leo. I literally felt like how Sam Seaborn felt when Mallory said, "You are just like my dad."
Aw! that is lovely 😊 what a compliment.
I took a quiz hoping I would get President Bartlett. Then I got Leo and I was actually excited to get Leo! ❤️
I remember Leo's funeral and seeing everyone with tears in their eyes, and knowing they weren't acting. How hard it had to be to say goodbye to a loved friend. I read that Stockard Channing was with him when he passed.
My love for this show knows no bounds, including the work of these two actors.
John Spencer was absolutely brilliant. He was incredible as Leo and, just as incredible, his personal warmth came through so beautifully.
As an original and repeat viewer of TWW, everything they are saying about John and Kathryn came across to us, in spades as they say. TWW is not only a master class in acting, it is a master class in life. What a gift!
That first scene of the pilot *gets me* every time! it’s extraordinary, John Spencer you were a gift to our TV screens 😢 I always wanted a mentor like Leo was to Josh - I always think of that line Jed says to Josh, “I want to be the guy, you want to be the guy the guy counts on...” that’s me in a nutshell 😊
God bless John Spencer always.
Both were superb in their roles. An extraordinary drama overall.
The John Spencer hole scene and Kathryn Joosten's boys talk were both Christmas episodes. Those and the Thanksgiving Day episodes were always fantastic.
How many times is too many times to binge watch The West Wing?
There is no limit. I make sure I watch it all the way through at least once a year.
I'm on my third time beginning to end!
There is no such number in existence
There's never too many times watch something this good ., and especially after the last few years it takes on even more meaning when you see where we are now.
I have watched at least one episode every day since November 2016. When the end credits roll on the last episode, I queue up the pilot and start again.
Beautiful tribute. It's absolutely astounding to me how effortless John made Leo. I could watch him all day
John Spencer was a master at his craft. I loved his interactions with the different members of the cast, but most specially his moments with Martin Sheen. And Kathryn Joosten as Mrs. Landingham was one of my favorite characters in television and Richard Schiff and Rob Lowe were right about the scene when Mrs. Landingham talked about her boys. It was beautiful, and heart breaking and made you hope that you could have even have her strength and courage and grace after such a loss.
I am so glad that they immortalized in film. Sometimes when I feel I need a deep breath, or a balm for an awful day or just something to make me smile, I'd re-watch episodes or snippets.
The scene above where Mrs Landingham is talking about the death of her 2 sons, she sounds more like a woman speaking with experience of such tragedy, than as an actress playing a character. In that moment, she WAS Mrs Landingham.
Michael Anderson it’s when she says ‘anyway I miss my boys’. It ends me every time.
I absolutely love what Rob Lowe said about John Spencer. So true.
This made me emotional, thinking of these 2 great actors and persons.
The most brilliant writing and the most brilliant cast. Ever. 💞💔
I absolutly love this show. I have all seasons on youtube. I started watching it again yesterday and im on season 2 already. Best tv ever made
Memories, of wonderful colleagues and friends 🌹
They all seem like good people. If so, I'm glad they had the opportunity to spend time working on such a wonderful show.
To absent friends. ❤️. What sweet words! Love you all. Adored the show.
"I miss my boys."
😢😢😢
Two greats of many greats
Aaron Sorkin best writer. West Wing favorite TV show. Newsroom also great show.
Lawrence O'Donnell wrote, consulted on and produced many episodes of West Wing. Lovely.
His steady, thoughtful influence continues today.
You can feel just how much they still miss them both. I hope someone gave Bradley a big hug after.
This show always fascinated me. Such great writing and acting. So many great moments. I’ve watched it over and over and have always enjoyed it.
John Spencer was an extraordinary actor, so truthfull in the humanity of his character, honest und mature.
These actors were absolutely perfection. I have watched this series almost every year since it ended and now my son has started watching it and it has blown his mind on so many levels. It helped him to get excited about politics and appreciate great acting. It is the best series ever. I still cry and laugh at scenes even though I have seen them a dozen times. Thats something special.
This show was magic
The flashbacks to Jed's college days stick with me because the younger Delores looked and sounded so much like the older one...
Well, Jed, I wouldn't even wanna know ya.
Yes! The choice of actress for the younger Mrs Landingham was spot on!
I'm so excited for the reunion, but John Spencer's absence will be so deeply felt. Leo McGarry is my favorite character, and it's still so sad to know he's gone. :(
I saw John with a young actor at Spago one evening. I was also with a handsome young actor. He looked at me and a big smile crossed his face that spoke volumes. I regret not speaking to him. So sorry he's gone.
I am forever fortunate to have met John Spencer on 3 occasions; 2 at the NYC AIDS Walk and a small theatre production in the NYC East Village. He is as kind and as warm as you say. After the theatre production, two young people joined him and he said "He said-Come on, dinner is on me!" A happy smile-beamed. Just a sliver of his wonderful character.
He was on the Ellen show and they talked about his roses and her pomegranate tree. John said, Oh I really want one of those. She said you have to be a very old man to see the fruit. Through his press agent I ordered a pomegranate tree which he mentioned later on another interview. Very cool along with a thank you note! So sad, because he never saw it bear fruit.
Because of this connection (and that of my firm), I was invited to his memorial service at Warner Brothers shortly after he died. It was an amazing tribute from so many of the cast and friends from LA Law. They had a special exhibit of all of his clothing, watch, glasses, one if the framed BFA napkins; all props for the show. He was very discreet about his sexual orientation, but he was a very old school gay man-kept everything under the radar. I last spoke to him backstage at the NYC AIDS Walk which was ironically on May 16, 2005, 7 months to the day he died-that was tough to accept.
My husband and daughter knew I was crazy about him and have watched scores of episodes of TWW.
He was great in everything he did. Lost him too soon, right?
TWW is hands down the best television series ever written. Sterling Brown could never for a minute fill his shoes.
Miss the cast and John and Kathryn-who was brilliant as well
This was lovely. Thank you.
God, Kathryns christmas scene just got me to tear up on the bus on my way to work, even though Ive seen the scene more times than I can count. ❤
A perfect storm of converging genius; that was The West Wing.
I watched it, i loved it, i still watch it, i still love it, even though i'll quote every line of every episode, it's the best thing ever written, produced, and acted!!!
I really enjoyed the father-son relationship that Leo and Josh had
LEO was the uncle or older brother you always wanted to have.
I do not think there has been a better show on television. Our family still watches The West Wing on the regular!
I love this show and both of these characters were amazing!
They were so damn good no scratch that brilliant is the word!! 🌟
My favorite scene with Kathryn Joosten is in an episode of Scrubs. Where she decides that it's time for her to die. I freaking cried like a man! She was such an incredible supporting actor!
Gorgeous people. What a show and what memories
Funny thing about Kathryn Joosten is that as great as she was on WW, I will always remember her first for her small guest role on Frasier as his agent Bebe's secretary.
This made me cry!!!
That whole episode with Kathryn Joosten and Excelsis Deo is one of the single best episodes of the show. It is on my family's "Christmas Video" list every year. Killing her off soured the show.
Hard disagree. Her death brought about the best episode of The West Wing - Two Cathedrals
@@hunteragett I agree that that was a great episode, it just cost too much for my tastes.
One of the best actors. The whole cast was awesome. Best show!❤
VERY NICE comments from their respectful piers !!!!!!!!!!!!
I really lucked out and got on board with this show when they were re-running the first episodes of season 2 during that season’s mid hiatus. I quickly fell in love with the show and to this day it is still my 2nd favorite of all time.
There is only one scene in all of The West Wing where I cried, and it was so unexpected that I surprised myself when I started tearing up.
It's when Toby is about to leave for the funeral for the homeless vet, and then Mrs Landingham calls to him, "Toby. I'd like to come along."
It was just.. damn.
Brings tears to my eyes. Love this show.
The West Wing is my favourite show of all time they’ll be nothing else like it. by the way, I’m a Canadian and I hate politics, but I learned a lot about it from your show. I was very sad when John died I couldn’t believe it.
With the upcoming election, we decided to watch the entire series all over again from the beginning while filling out our absentee ballot. This show is incredibly well written but the acting brings it all together. Don’t we all wish it wasn’t acting and we could experience such an administration in the near future? America could use some leadership, comfort and direction.
Amen...I wished we lived in Camelot.
I loved Leo.😢
I have never in my life see a death scene / dying scene like the one with John Spencer.
“Who the hell is this and why do I care if he has a merry Christmas?”
Just sign the damn thing will you
Her scene steals the show, and that was such a great episode -- William Christopher did it in MASH, the ep where the 2news guy is asking them has this changed you, the War and the MASH unit, little 1 on 1 interviews between the chaos and Will, as Mulchahey, responds to the guy: Has this place changed me? When it's cold, as it is now, bitter, and the surgeons cut into a man, trying to save him, sometimes you can se them lean over the open flesh, warming themselves from the heat rising from the soldier. How can you witness something like that and not be changed? AND immediately after that is thsame interview with Frank Burns, and Larry, vapidly cavalier as Frank blurts out: Changed? Nah, this place hasn't changed me a bit! Thet scene, with those two, 1) Summed up the show better than anything, and 2) were the two best acting scenes in the entire series >> except for the scene with HAWKEYE, in the script I wrote, if it had been used, where Hawkeye talks to Potter about a shocking conversation Pierce had, via phone with his dad >> he was still living, James Cagney, and I wanted him to play Hawkeye's father.
I love watching The West Wing.
This video is beautiful and heartfelt and amazing, but does anyone else feel strange that Kenny isn't interpreting for Joey's actress?
I wonder why Martin Sheen, Stockard Channing, and Allison Janney weren’t included? (However, I was delighted to see the others.) 💞
I tell the "Hole" story all the time. That is when you have real friends.
God I miss this show. . .
Leo: "Because I'm tired of it! Year, after year, after year of having to choose between the lesser of who cares? Of trying to get myself excited over a candidate who can speak in complete sentences."
Those were the days when presidents could speak in complete sentences!
Kathryn Joosten was excellent as a guest star in Scrubs as well.
This breaks my heart
Next to mash, the best written show for TV. I hope that my children in a few years experience the beauty and perhaps they can help me understand what it meant. Thank you.
"Who's Elizabeth??!"
"Your sister" - the look on John's face said it all
"I'm only going to re-watch the first season again".........Bartlett in a wheel chair in China...."Damnit"
Oh man me too. I think I have watched the whole series at least 20 times.
The cast of the West Wing was akin to the 1927 Yankees. Murderer's Row. You couldn't pitch around any one of them.. ALL home run hitters!
Toby approved of this comparison