David Lander, the Hollywood actor who was best known for playing Squiggy on the beloved sitcom “Laverne &Shirley,” passed away on Friday night after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. He was 73 years-old.
The actor Michael McKean, who played Lenny Kosnowski on “Laverne & Shirley,” remembered Lander’s sense of humor in a statement confirming his death.
“David was my friend for fifty-five years,” McKean told Entertainment Tonight. “He was the funniest man I ever knew, and faced a hideous illness with guts and humor. Ask anyone who knew him, you’ll get the same story. Possibly a genius, definitely a great friend.”
Lander valiantly fought multiple sclerosis for 37 years going public with his diagnosis in 1999. He would go on to become a Goodwill Ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and to open up about his battle with MS in his 2002 memoir “Fall Down Laughing: How Squiggy Caught Multiple Sclerosis and Didn’t Tell Nobody.”
Born and raised in New York City, Lander had wanted to be an actor ever since he was 10 years-old, and he would go on to study the craft at the High School for the Performing Arts, Carnegie Tech and New York University. It was at Carnegie that Lander met McKean, and the two of them quickly came up with the characters of Lenny and Squiggy, which would go on to be featured in the 1976 sitcom “Laverne & Shirley.” The show ran for eight seasons before it finally went off the air in 1983.
Tributes for Lander have been pouring in since his passing was announced.
“David REST SOUNDLY… you have earned your peace,” tweeted Henry Winkler of “Happy Days” fame.
David REST SOUNDLY… you have earned your peace https://t.co/M5mEggRtYy
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) December 5, 2020
“RIP David Lander aka ‘Squiggy’ on Laverne & Shirley,” tweeted comedian Dane Cook. “I hope when you were reunited with the great Penny Marshall you greeted her with a hug and a ‘Hellooo Lavernnne!’”
RIP David Lander aka ‘Squiggy’ on Laverne & Shirley. I hope when you were reunited with the great Penny Marshall you greeted her with a hug and a “Hellooo Lavernnne!”
— DC (@DaneCook) December 5, 2020
Lander leaves behind his wife, Kathy Fields, and their daughter, Natalie Lander.
People Magazine reported that during a 2007 interview, Lander candidly revealed what his approach to battling multiple sclerosis was.
“My doctor painted a fairly bleak picture of the disease, even going so far as to tell me I probably wouldn’t walk again,” he said. “Whatever happens, MS can’t take it all. I will always have my heart and soul, my wit and wisdom. Wherever the chips may fall, if I fall with them I will make it a point to do so gracefully—and laughing.”
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