Art LaFleur, a veteran character actor known for Playground for children, Field of dreams and Blob, has died. He was 78 years old.
Shelley, LaFleur’s 43-year-old wife, confirmed the actor’s death on Facebook, writing that he died after 10 years of battling the “typical Parkinson’s type A” illness.
The actor was born in Indiana and began his career in the TV series in 1978 Rescue from Gilligan Island, followed by an episode of Charlie’s Angels. He then appeared in many shows from WATER and From here to eternity come Doogie Howser MD and The Incredible Hulk.
LaFleur has had roles in several television series including Two of a Kind, Sometimes I wonder and Invisible woman. On the big screen, LaFleur’s career includes performances in Rampage, Wrong boys, Keaton’s Police and Death Certificate.
In 2011, LaFleur was recognized by the Action on Film International Film Festival for his role among the actors Dahmer vs. Gacy, a film directed by Ford Austin.
“He brought laughter to so many people as Babe Ruth in Sand slot, The Tooth Fairy in The Clause 2 about Santa Claus and 3and Chick Gandil in Field of dreams Shelley wrote. She called him a “generous and selfless man who gave him his acting but more importantly who he was to his family and friends.”
Later TV roles include In case of a cold, The mentalist, Malcolm in the middle, Bernie Mac Show and Key and Peele.
Shelley concludes: “Art is bigger than life and makes sense to the world to us.
