Pat Finn, a prolific TV character actor and comedian best known for his recurring role as friendly neighbor Bill Norwood on ABC’s The Middle, sadly passed away on Monday, December 22, at his Los Angeles home following a three-year battle with cancer. He was 60.
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| Actor Pat Finn at "The Middle" 200th episodes celebration in 2017 | Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic |
“After a beautiful life filled with laughter, love, family, and friends, we share the heartbreaking news of the death of Pat Finn,” his family said in a statement.
Finn’s passing was also confirmed by his manager Andrea Pett-Joseph, who called Finn “the kindest, most joyful person in any room” and said the actor passed while surrounded by family and friends.
Finn was diagnosed in 2022 with bladder cancer, which went into remission but later returned and metastasized. In the months prior to the actor’s death, Finn’s friends launched
a GoFundMe page on behalf of the family to help defray medical costs. To date the page has raised more than $118,000 in donations.
Born in Evanston, Illinois, on July 31, 1965, Finn joined Chicago’s Second City and iO comedy troupes after graduating from Marquette University (where he became friends with future Saturday Night Live star Chris Farley) in 1987. His TV breakthrough came in the mid-1990s, when he landed recurring roles on The George Wendt Show and Murphy Brown. In 1998 he played the party-throwing character Joe Mayo in the memorable “The Reverse Peephole” episode of Seinfeld.
Other TV roles included appearances on That ’70s Show, The King of Queens, two episodes of Friends (he played Dr. Roger), and several episodes of Third Rock From The Sun. He played the character Jim Frost on eight episodes in 2001 and 2002 of the comedy-drama Ed, and made episodic appearances on Yes, Dear, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Bernie Mac Show, Wizards of Waverly Place, 2 Broke Girls and The Goldbergs, among others.
From 2011 to 2018 Finn played nice-guy Bill Norwood on 23 episodes of The Middle, neighbor to the sitcom’s main characters the Hecks and good buddy of Neil Flynn’s Mike Heck. In 2012 and 2013, he played Bob Forman on 18 episodes of the Nickelodeon sitcom Marvin, Marvin., in which he played the adoptive father of the main character, Marvin, played by Lucas Cruikshank, an intergalactic alien teenager who was sent to Earth by his parents in order to protect him from evil invaders on his home planet, Klooton, as he clumsily tries to adapt to his new life on Earth.
On the big screen, Finn appeared in the 2000 comedy Dude, Where’s My Car, I Love You, Beth Cooper, and It’s Complicated starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, and Alec Baldwin.
“In Pat’s final days, he often showed the biggest signs when the Bears scored a touchdown,” the family said in their statement. “No pressure Bears – just saying – do it for Pat.”
Finn is survived by wife Donna, and their children, Cassidy, Caitlin and Ryan, his parents and other family.
In a post on X, Finn’s friends and fellow comedians Brian Stack and Jeff Dye shared tributes. “One of the best dudes I knew with a PERFECT sense of humor,” wrote Dye.
Patricia Heaton, who portrayed overworked mom Frankie Heck on The Middle, also remembered her late co-star.
Heaton shared several photos of Finn and her fellow The Middle cast members Neil Flynn, Jenn Ray and Julie Brown in a post on Instagram.
“One of the finest and funniest human beings I know has left to be with Jesus,” she wrote. “Pat Finn, whom most of you know as Bill Norwood on The Middle had been battling cancer the last few years. At the too-young age of 60, he leaves behind his sweetheart Donna and three children. He was adored by all who knew him, and he leaves behind a legacy of love, friendship, and wonderful comedy. He graced our movie “Unexpected“ with a scene-stealing turn as a crazy psychiatrist. Our hearts are broken, but as faithful Catholics, we know we will see each other again through God‘s mercy. Rest in peace dear brother. #patfinn #restinpeace #love.”
Finn’s family released a heartfelt statement shared with
Deadline, remembering him as someone who “never met a stranger – only friends he didn’t know yet. He knew all the state Capitals and every College Football Mascot. The family is certain that Pat’s dear friends and fellow Chicago legends, Chris Farley, George Wendt and Mike Hagerty (aka Hags) are saving him a seat on the couch to watch their beloved Bears. The family asks for the respect of your privacy at this time. They also ask you to be kind, to try and make one person’s life a little easier every day and to Bear Down. It’s what Pat would want, too.”
R.I.P. Pat Finn, July 31, 1965 - December 22, 2025
Originally published: December 25, 2025. Original source: Deadline.
