Performer leaves a long legacy of character comedy roles

Character actor Mike Hagerty,  best known as building superintendent Mr Treeger on Friends, has died at the age of 67.

His long list of comedy credits also include recurring roles  in The George Carlin Show in the 1990s, Louis CK's Lucky Louie and appearance in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Cheers, Community, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, Glee, The Goldbergs,The Mindy Project, Monk, Seinfeld, Shameless, Austen Powers The Spy Who Shagged Me and Wayne's World.

He most recently starred opposite Bridget Everett on the HBO comedy Somebody Somewhere.

She posted news of his death on social media, saying that she 'loved Mike the instant I met him. He was so special. Warm, funny, never met a stranger. We are devastated he has passed.'

The broadcaster added: 'We are very saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Mike Hagerty. A member of the HBO family for many years, his most recent role as Bridget Everett’s father in Somebody Somewhere showed his special talent for bringing heart to a performance. 

'Mike was a joy to work with and brought warmth and kindness to all who knew him. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.'

Hagerty's most memorable moment on Friends came in the season 4 episode The One With the Ballroom Dancing, in which Joey reluctantly agreed to be Mr Treeger's dance partner so he would not evict Monica and Rachel.

Rufus Jones, creator and star of the Channel 4 comedy Home, posted: 'There’s a particular thing with certain actors whose fame is irrelevant - they induce total trust and faith in the audience because they’ve crept in under the wire and fuelled so many quality shows. That’s a kind of magic, and Mike Hagerty had it.'

And US comic Jim Norton said: 'RIP to the hilarious Mike Hagerty. I was blessed to do 13 episodes of Lucky Louie with him. A truly great comic actor.'

Published: 7 May 2022