John Lawlor, beloved actor from 'The Facts of Life' and 'Phyllis,' passes away at 83

John Lawlor, the actor best known for his roles in The Facts of Life and Phyllis, has passed away at the age of 83. His family announced his passing in an obituary published on Monday, February 24, revealing that he died nine days earlier at a veterans hospice facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His daughter, Riel, was by his side as he "peacefully passed away."
“John will be remembered for his great love and affection for his family, his work, and his enjoyment of theater, television, movies, literature, and of course, his beloved horses,” the obituary stated.
Lawlor had an extensive career in the entertainment industry, most notably portraying headmaster Steven Bradley at the Eastland School for Girls in NBC’s The Facts of Life. He played the role during the show's 13-episode debut season in 1979 before being replaced by Roger Perry’s Charles Parker. He also starred in CBS’s Phyllis, a spinoff of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, as Leonard Marsh, one of Cloris Leachman’s co-workers.
Transitioning to film, Lawlor took on roles in Blake Edwards’ S.O.B. in 1981 and later appeared in Lawrence Kasdan’s Wyatt Earp (1994), as listed on his IMDb page.
Born on June 5, 1941, in Troy, New York, Lawlor was the eldest of six children. His family later relocated to Boulder, Colorado, where he was raised. He graduated from the University of Colorado and was an active member of the Nomad Players theater group in Boulder, performing in numerous productions, including Sweeney Todd.
Lawlor’s legacy will be cherished by his fans, colleagues, and loved ones, remembering him for his contributions to television, film, and the arts.