Whitney Rydbeck, the talented actor known for his roles in “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives” and “MAS*H,” has passed away at the age of 79. He left us last Monday, after battling complications from prostate cancer while receiving hospice care in Chatsworth, California.
Tommy McLoughlin, the director of the sixth installment of “Friday the 13th,” confirmed this sad news to The Hollywood Reporter. McLoughlin also paid tribute to Rydbeck on Instagram, describing him as not only a remarkably funny comedian and actor, but also one of the kindest and most genuine individuals he had ever known. “God Bless You and Rest in Peace…Whitney Rydbeck. Our Loss is Heaven’s Gain,” McLoughlin added.
Born in Los Angeles, Rydbeck attended Pasadena High School, Pasadena City College, and later pursued theater studies at Cal State Fullerton. He even became a talented mime, showcasing his expressive abilities. In 1970, he made his acting debut in an episode of the popular TV series “Nanny and the Professor,” as per his IMDb profile.
Throughout the following decade, Rydbeck secured roles in various hit shows including “The Brady Bunch,” “MAS*H,” and “Monster Squad.” He also made appearances in notable films such as “Love at First Bite,” “Rocky II,” and Steven Spielberg’s “1941.”
One of Rydbeck’s most memorable roles came in 1986 with “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives,” where he portrayed Roy, a brave paintball soldier attempting to eliminate the infamous mass murderer, Jason Voorhees, only to become one of his victims instead.
However, Rydbeck’s contribution to raising awareness about seat belt safety in the 1980s is equally significant. He played the crash test dummy named “Larry” in the well-known PSA campaign. Together with Tony Reitano, they demonstrated the importance of buckling up by enduring (fake) car accidents. Those iconic PSAs concluded with the memorable line, “You could learn a lot from a dummy. Buckle your safety belt.”
Reflecting on his experience as a mime, Rydbeck mentioned in a 2010 interview with The Washington Post that it tremendously aided him in portraying the commercial role. He humorously added that wearing the masks during the PSAs restricted their ability to hear, see, and even speak. “God forbid you had to go to the bathroom,” he quipped. “I always buckle up, I’ll tell you that,” he emphasized.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Rydbeck continued to impress with his acting skills in popular TV shows such as “7th Heaven,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Living Single,” and “Party of Five.” His appearances in movies included “Oliver & Company,” “A Very Brady Sequel,” and “Murder of Innocence.”
After his final acting role in the 2007 short film “The Oates’ Valor,” Rydbeck retired from the industry. In recent years, he reportedly thrived as a drama teacher at Pasadena City College, sharing his wisdom and passion with aspiring performers.
Whitney Rydbeck’s legacy will always be cherished, both for the laughter he brought to our screens and his incredible kindness that resonated with all who knew him. May he rest in eternal peace.
