Fred Willard Collection on Letterman, 1982-2007 

Fred was a comedy genius. The bit here where he videotaped himself as another character and interacts is pure gold.

R.I.P Fred. He was 48 years old at the time of the first clip. Great example of somebody pulling off an amazing late life breakthrough in American culture.

RIP, Fred. You will be missed.

Fred was so special. He was one of those comedians who played himself, and "his self" was so sweet, strange, smart and singular he always "made" whatever he was in. He will be missed.

There was no one quite like this born comedian. Just a wonderful man.

I just love his speech pattern: it's very lively, packed with jokes and he doesn't do pauses after jokes! He immediately continues to talk about the next thing, and the next thing and the next thing... So the jokes are always trapped somewhere between the words. That makes him so entertaining and witty!

I watched this whole video, as it turns out, literally the night before he died. It took years for the audience to really get with his gimmick but man, what a totally unique and funny guy. No one else quite like him. RIP Fred Willard.

You can tell when Dave respects a comedian and finds them genuinely hilarious. Fred was one of those comedians.

RIP you mad comic genius.

March 30 1983. I grew up in NYC and was sat in the audience, pleased to see Fred Willard was a guest. I loved Fernwood Tonight, with him and Martin Mull. Those two were genius together. I've always seen Fred in the same league as Betty White. Sadly, they're both gone now. But, they'll live forever as long as we never lose their bodies of exceptional work. R.I.P. Fred and Betty. They made me laugh countless times.

the audience had no idea how to receive him at first he was so damn good

Rest in peace, Fred. You were one of a kind, and you will be sorely missed.

This just breaks my heart. I saw most of these appearances when they happened. I remember when Fernwood 2 Night debuted (1977). I thought, it doesn't get any funnier than this. Thank you for all the laughs Fred.

Brilliant and wonderful man. Thank you so much for the laughs, Fred, will love and remember you forever

Watching this for the 10,000th time. What a genius he was!

Loved his unique wit. Sad for those who didn't. I got it!! Never be another style quite his.

Great fan edit supercut 3 hrs. Thanks so much. At my age it's a review of my squandered midlife.

2:30:40 - Great joke about Jerry Stiller, who died just 4 days before Fred. RIP to both outstanding comedians.

I've never seen him this young. Rest In Paradise Fred.

Fred Willard is truly ahead of his time. I was surprised during these clips when the audience turns on Willard. I cringed occasionally when hearing the audiences react poorly, but not when hearing Fred Willard. They were missing his impeccable bits and timing once again.

27:40 - The moment when Clapton drops knowledge. Perfect!

Fred Willard is a comedic genius and deserves way more cred than he gets.

I love him so much! Such an underrated comic! Especially as a young person, I've hardly seen him anywhere except Back to You! But he's sooo great! He should be one of the biggest ones in the country.

Fred was one of the most underrated comedians of all time. Dry, biting and unpredictable.

Probably the most underrated comic ever

He’s such a funny guy...until the end...RIP Fred. Thanks for all the laughs.

RIP Fred! So talented!

I forget who he was quoting when he said it but I remember Penn Jillette saying that he stepped into character sometime in the 70's and never stepped out. He was an awesome comedian.

He got better with age, brilliant in "Best in Show" and Modern Family.

I always loved when comedians made Dave laugh. So many times Dave was laughing at Fred when the audience wasn't even laughing. Leno was probably the only guest who made Dave laugh more. These are priceless!

my side is aching from laughing so much. just what i needed during the quarantine .... rest in peace Fred.

1:20:13 When this was taped, I had not been born. When it had aired, I was 3 hours old.

Awesome work, Don. I love Fred Willard!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this! I had forgotten just how funny Fred Willard was. I had to watch this video in small doses to recover from laughing so hard. And it's so much fun to see a guest who could keep David just constantly laughing like that. There were probably several other guests who could make David laugh that hard, but the only one who comes to my mind right now is Norm MacDonald.

That Smiley Lewis section was glorious.

❤ He is so good. ( “IS” because we have his presence with us every time we get to watch Fred.) ❤ Love him

Fred: "...we could do some kind of profit-sharing.... " Dave: Not paying any attention/talking over him. Hahahaha. Love them together!

I have to admit that I wasn't a huge fan of Fred, but he pulled off some great stuff here. The television thing was classic and the changing clothes on air was brilliant.

what an absolute legend

Thanks so much for posting!!! Fred was the best!

Fred Willard was and is a pure delightful treasure

People today do not realize how talented and different a kind of comedian he was. He was always the over confident guy who never saw the folly in his adventures. To see one of his best performances, see Best In Show.

He just got more and more handsome over the years. I never really knew who he was until the Chris Guest movies, and it was like, oh yes, that handsome guy that cracks me up!! I grew up with him and never realized it. Thanks for the compilation!!! :-) :-)

Thank you for this Don. I appreciate your diligence!

His jokes are like a machine gun, you're still thinking about the last one while he drops a new one. My favorite is Dave: "It's priceless" Fred: "no, there'll be a price"

great channel. thanks for all your hard work

Fred Willard was a master!

"I rang the doorbell, didn't I?" Great set up; Dave was losing it.

Fred is still the best!!!!! Hilarious!

RIP Fred Willard. One of the funniest of the funny!

RIP you absolute legend 😢

Oh wow! Thank you foor this!

He was so funny.. loved him.. rest in peace...

Best in show....R.I.P.

Eric Clapton casually playing in the background.

so great. and love the shirt. Laughter is fun.

Uniquely wonderful man.

Fred was a gem. Fernwood 2 nite was fantastic. And any of those fake documentery's. Just priceless. R.I.P fred.

R.I.P. Fred/ I always enjoyed your acts.

Fred Willard was the David Byrne of comedy.

Gosh, what a talent. 1 of those innately funny people that makes it look easy but obviously spent serious time honing his craft. He was obviously a master of improv but you couldn't tell if and when he was doing it. I believe he loved putting himself in situations where he had some material planned and purposely left room for improv - like a jazz player - who plays a written song but has multiple solos throughout the song.

I love Fred Willard, but even if you don't like his humor, you have to admit the guy had supreme confidence. I actually enjoy that aspect of him as much as his humor.

15:06 such a silly expression for a microsecond! Man he's funny. He's a full-force comic.

I didnt know Fred Willard invented the "and then everybody started clapping" bit 1:01:37

Serious contender for best 2 hours and 47 minutes on RU-vid. If you have the sophistication to get him, very few are funnier than Fred Willard.

RIP...

" Do you know how much I can lift ? 225 lbs. ! " - Best in Show

"...and to think that in some countries these dogs are eaten"

That's Michael Mislove co-guesting in the July 24 1987 clip, a longtime Ace Trucking Co. co-hort with Mr. Willard...

My favorite Modern Family episodes are with FW as Phil's dad, perfect casting, great in all things he appeared in. RIP, Fred

RIP❤️

Thanx Don

There is natural gifted comedy (much of Second City) and there is forced bit comedy (cough! 98% of SNL! Cough!). Sometimes Sad Sacks like Fred Willard and Bob Newhart can't help themselves from being hilarious, as if they don't even realize they're doing it, the gift is so natural.

RIP another great comedian gone!

The idea that a mugger would not only steal your wallet but would also steal your jokes is comedy gold.

36:55: "Well it was on um... at eleven in the morning, or twelve o'clock in the morning..." ;)

I just watched this the week after and loved all his stories!

Thank You donz! You are the best. We ought to meet up some day.

Thank You, Fred, R.I.P.

RIP Fred Willard - A brilliant actor

the difference between fred willard and robin williams is fred is funny.

unreal -3 hour, chronological comp. youtube goat

This was great! I think Dave had a hunch that Fred Willard was a guest he could depend on if he wanted to laugh and kill time. Methinks that the 13 (!!) year gap between his last appearance on Late Night and his appearances on the Late Show was that Letterman didn't really have that luxury of handpicking guests that way when he went to CBS. (My theory)

I watch Letterman like Sunday cartoons

That segment that starts at 28:55 is genius.

You have to hand it to him, I had no idea he had so many years of appearances. Watched every minute of this video. Thanks for posting. (Though is love to know what song Ray Davies played after Fred on one of those 80’s appearances).

Off-topic, but OMG!! that snare drum sound at 2:27"21'!!!! -Best I've ever heard!

He was at Jimmy Kimmel yesterday, he's still hilarious

RIP, such a talent.

I'd forgotten how handsome he was when he was younger.

i loved him in 'traggs trough'

Such a lovable guy.

Rest In Peace :/

Holy crap, look how young in 1982! Just saw him a few days before he died in Space Force, playing a doddering old fool, and pulling it off in his own patented way. After his death, my best friend and I had the discussion we've been having more and more frequently in recent years when a beloved figure dies of age toxicity. Fred entered my lexicon with a Martin Mull show back in the day and cemented his way into his life by appearing in a number of excellent mockumentaries. It's funny, I feel the same as ever I did, but when I look around me everybody is getting so OLD! What is the significance? FYI, my most favoritest Fred quote is: "Actually it's been a while since I've had a haircut myself. I'd better not stand too close to you- people may think I'm with the band....I'm joking of course". So long, Fred. And thanks for all the laughs!

FERNWOOD TONIGHT is one of the great, underrated comedy series from the '70s. Very ahead of it's time, influencing everything from The Larry Sanders show to Tim and Eric. Martin Mull and Fred are hilarious together. Check them out here on RU-vid.

Fred is very underrated

I don't think Letterman was given to "polite laugh" or "fake laugh". You have to be REALLY top to pierce his involuntary laughing reaction. Fred Willard does it here. Watch Dave. He's almost pissing at Fred's understated amazingness.

Cher Kennedy!?!??! he was so f*cking funny.

He is the funniest actor ever 😉🌈❤️

If you can find it on youtube. Search for Fred's appearance on the Norm MacDonald pod cast. He was great.