Actor David Lander is known as Skugi in Sitcom Laverne and Shirley, Who died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, has been confirmed several times.
He was 73 years old.
Lander died of multiple sclerosis, a condition he had struggled with for 37 years.
The actor was best known for his role as Sakugi Happy days Spinoff after the lives of two young female friends in the United States in the 1950s and ’60s.
Lander appeared on the show from 1976 to 1983, alongside Michael McCain, who starred alongside his on-screen friend Lenny, and the show’s stars, Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams.
The Lenny and Skigi characters were developed by McCain and Lander when they were students at Carnegie Mellon University.
In 2002, Lander re-aired Skiggy for one episode The Simpsons.
Lander was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a year later, in 1984 Laverne and Shirley Over.
He kept the illness a secret until 1999, when he covered the issue in his memory. Fall down laughing: how did skuggy catch multiple sclerosis and not tell anyone.
He later became famous for speaking at conventions, fundraisers and galleys where he advocated for others living with multiple sclerosis.
“My doctor painted a very vague picture of the disease, even telling me I probably wouldn’t walk again,” Lander said during an interview. Brain and Life Magazine.
“Whatever happens, MS can’t take it all.
“I will always keep my heart and my soul, my understanding and my wisdom.
“Wherever chips can fall, if I fall with them I’ll make it a point to do it with love – and laughing.”
The actor is survived by his wife Cathy Lander, 41, and daughter Natalie Lander, 37.
Lander focused on acting at an early age and went on to attend an arts high school. After teaming up with McCain in college, the pair moved to Los Angeles, where they joined the comedy, The Credibility Gap.
Lander and McKin went on to co-star in Steven Spielberg’s 1979 comedy, 1941, And the 1980 film Robert Zemeckis Used cars, With Kurt Russell.
Lander’s TV Regiment has special roles in the category of TV classics Bob Nihar Heart Show, Barney Miller, Happy days, For a long time And Draw Carrie Show.
CNN’s Holly Silverman contributed to this report.