The cast of The West Wing was left so shocked by John Spencer's death that co-star Stockard Channing said she "really can't even speak about it." Spencer, who played White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry, died on 16 December 2005 following a heart attack.
Death Altered Show's Direction
Production was halted after his death, and when filming resumed, the writers decided to write Leo's death into the show, with the character also dying of a heart attack. Spencer had already completed filming on two episodes of the seventh and final series, and as a tribute, his name remained in the opening credits of every remaining broadcast episode.
The episode that followed featured the cast's genuine tears as Leo's on-screen funeral also served as a real-life farewell to their friend. The election storyline was also reworked, with the writers deciding Leo deserved to win, changing the planned victor from Republican Arnold Vinick to Democrat Matt Santos.
Filmmaker Reflects on Loss
Filmmaker John Wells told Empire that Spencer's death had a profound effect on the show. He said: "We probably would've done one more year, which would've been the whole transition, but for John Spencer's sudden death at Christmas time. I don't know if the network would've picked us up for year eight or not, but after that, we all looked at each other and said, 'Maybe it's time to stop.'"
He added: "There was a long period from Christmas to the wrapping of the show that was very emotional because of John's death. The scripts were already written on the assumption that John was still going to be very much alive. So a number of things were rewritten, and the actors, who had lost a close personal friend, then had to play the loss of the character."
Co-Stars Pay Tribute
Stockard Channing, who played Abigail Bartlet, said of Spencer: "He was a very close personal friend of mine, and it was extremely hard to go through that in life and then dramatically. I really can't even speak about it because he became one of my closest friends and... I found it extremely difficult. I knew he'd been ill. It was something he kept extremely secret because he had an operation. We thought he was fine – he really made a full recovery, which was why it was so shocking."
Martin Sheen, who played President Josiah Bartlet, paid tribute to Spencer in a broadcast ahead of episode 10 of the final series on 8 January 2006. He said: "On December 16th, we lost our dear friend and colleague, John Spencer. Through our shock and grief, we can think of no more fitting memorial to this wonderful man, this extraordinary actor, than to share with you the last few months of his work here on The West Wing. Johnny, it seems we hardly knew you, we love you, and we miss you."
Clips of Spencer in action were aired, and later posted on Reddit, where fans shared their emotional reactions. One wrote: "I've seen it a hundred times. I know what's coming. I remember when he died in real life. I was in the airport. I cry every time." Another agreed: "I'm crying too, that was so beautiful!"
The West Wing is available to stream on Channel 4.
