Remembering Pat Finn: 'The Middle' Star Dies at 60 After Cancer Battle
Former The Middle actress Patricia Heaton is expressing grief over the loss of her former costar Pat Finn.
“One of the most exceptional and amusing individuals I know has departed to be with Jesus,” Heaton, 67, shared via Instagram on Thursday, December 25. “Pat Finn, who many will remember as Bill Norwood on The Middle, had been facing cancer for the past few years. At the unfortunately young age of 60, he leaves behind his devoted wife, Donna, and their three children.”
Heaton portrayed the family matriarch Frankie Heck on ABC’s The Middle, which enjoyed a nine-season run from 2009 to 2018. Finn’s character, Bill Norwood, was one of the Heck family’s neighbors.
Finn passed away at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday, December 23, at the age of 60.
The Middle's Pat Finn Is Dead at Age 60 Following a Cancer Battle
“He was cherished by everyone who knew him, and he leaves behind a legacy of affection, friendship, and delightful comedy,” Heaton continued in her Thursday tribute. “He elevated our film Unexpected with a memorable performance as a quirky psychiatrist.”
She concluded, “Our hearts are heavy, but as faithful Catholics, we believe we will reunite through God’s grace. Rest peacefully, dear brother.”
Finn, who is survived by his wife and three children, died after a struggle with bladder cancer.
“It is with deep sadness and sorrow that the Finn family announces the passing of beloved comedic actor, Pat Finn,” the late actor’s representative wrote in a Wednesday, December 24, statement. “In 2022, Pat confronted bladder cancer, achieved remission, but the illness returned and spread. He was a true warrior in every sense of the word.”
In addition to Heaton, several of Finn’s other Hollywood colleagues have offered their condolences.
“I typically avoid posting pictures with celebrities who have passed. But this individual was more than just a celebrity to me. He was a friend,” comedian Jeff Dye wrote via X. “One of the finest people I knew with an impeccable sense of humor. I love you Pat Finn and I’ll see you again in the afterlife. We can sing together and shake our heads about all the negativity in the past.”
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert writer Brian Steck also shared a tribute via X.
'The Middle' Alum Pat Finn's Cause of Death Revealed After Bladder Cancer
“Devastated to learn of the passing of our dear friend, Pat Finn. As kind as he was brilliantly funny,” Steck tweeted. “Rest In Peace, Finner. We love you. … As our mutual friend Tom Purcell said, ‘I’ve never encountered anyone more loved than Pat Finn.’”
Eric Stonestreet and Dane Cook also expressed their sympathy.
“Everyone’s favorite guy @thatPatFinn sadly passed away this week. To say Pat was well-liked is a significant understatement,” Stonestreet, 54, wrote via X. “No ONE jumped quicker and more enthusiastically into a bit with you than Pat Finn. He embodied the essence of what an improviser is and also the definition of a good person.”
Cook, 53, for his part, remembered Finn as “genuinely humorous and simply a good guy.”
“Sad to hear Pat Finn passed away. My sympathies to his family,” Cook wrote. “He had a wonderful career. Difficult to hear this news.”
