LOS ANGELES: Fred Willard, the comedic actor whose improv style kept him relevant for more than 50 years in films like “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Best In Show” and “Anchorman,” has died. He was 86. Willard’s daughter, Hope Mulbarger, said in a statement on Saturday that her father died peacefully on Friday night. The cause of his death has not been released. Willard was rarely a leading man or even a major supporting character. He specialized in small, scene-stealing appearances. Willard was a four-time Emmy nominee for his roles in “What’s Hot, What’s Not,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Modern Family” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.” In Pixar’s 2008 hit “WALL-E,” he voiced the character of Shelby Forthright, the chief executive officer of a ubiquitous big-box chain called Buy’n’Large. Willard’s death comes nearly two years after his wife Mary Willard died at the age of 71. She was a playwright and TV writer, earning four Emmy nominations.