Patricia Heaton is paying tribute to her former castmate Pat Finn, who portrayed the character Bill Norwood, the neighbor to Heaton’s character Frankie Heck on the show The Middle.
In an Instagram post, Heaton shared multiple images of Finn alongside other cast members from The Middle, including Neil Flynn, Jenn Ray, and Julie Brown.
Heaton expressed her condolences, writing, “One of the kindest and most humorous people I’ve had the pleasure to know has passed on to be with Jesus. Pat Finn, known to many as Bill Norwood from The Middle, had been fighting cancer for the past few years. Passing away at the young age of 60, he leaves behind his beloved wife Donna and three children. He was cherished by everyone who met him, leaving a legacy filled with love, enduring friendships, and exceptional humor. He brilliantly portrayed a quirky psychiatrist in our film Unexpected. Our hearts are heavy, but as devout Catholics, we are comforted by the belief that we will meet again through the grace of God. Rest in peace, dear brother. #patfinn #restinpeace #love.”
Finn passed away at his home in Los Angeles on Monday after a lengthy battle with cancer, at the age of 60.
On The Middle, Finn was known for his role as the amiable neighbor Bill Norwood. He had recurring roles on shows such as The George Wendt Show and Murphy Brown, and he portrayed the memorable Joe Mayo on Seinfeld.
Finn’s extensive television credits include appearances on That ’70s Show, The King of Queens, Friends, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Ed, Yes, Dear, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Bernie Mac Show, Wizards of Waverly Place, 2 Broke Girls, and The Goldbergs. His roles in film include the 2000 comedy Dude, Where’s My Car?, I Love You, Beth Cooper, and It’s Complicated.
The family of Finn fondly remembered him as a man who “never met a stranger — only friends he hadn’t yet met.”
In their statement to Deadline, his family shared, “Pat knew every state capital and each college football mascot by heart. We are certain that Pat’s dear friends and fellow Chicago legends Chris Farley, George Wendt, and Mike Hagerty (aka Hags) are keeping a spot for him on the couch to watch their favorite Bears play. We ask for your respect for our privacy during this time. We also urge everyone to be kind, make someone’s day a little brighter, and to Bear Down. It’s what Pat would have wanted too.”
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