Beloved American actor and comedian Pat Finn, best known for his role in the hit sitcom The Middle, passed away after a battle with bladder cancer, it has been officially confirmed.
Official confirmation of illness
Finn's death was first reported in late December, but the specific cause was not initially disclosed by his family. The entertainment news outlet TMZ has now obtained and published details from his official death certificate, which lists bladder cancer as the cause. The actor died at his home in Los Angeles on 23 December 2025, surrounded by his family.
Reports indicate that Finn had been diagnosed with the disease several years prior to his death at the age of 60.
A career spanning iconic TV shows
Born in Illinois, Finn graduated from Marquette University in 1987, where he was a rugby teammate of the late Chris Farley. He honed his comedic craft in Chicago with The Second City National Touring Company and the iO Theater.
His television career took off with roles in some of the most iconic American sitcoms of the 1990s and 2000s. Fans will remember him for playing:
- Joe Mayo in an episode of Seinfeld (1998)
- Frank in That '70s Show (1999)
- Dr. Roger in two episodes of Friends (2000)
However, his most prominent role was as Bill Norwood, the father of Sue's boyfriend, in the ABC series The Middle, which he played from 2010 until 2018.
His extensive CV also included appearances in Murphy Brown, The King of Queens, Curb Your Enthusiasm, House, and 2 Broke Girls. On the big screen, he featured in films like Dude, Where's My Car? and It's Complicated. His final television credit was a 2019 episode of The Goldbergs.
Tributes from friends and colleagues
Following the news of his passing, comedian Jeff Dye shared a heartfelt tribute on social media platform X. He wrote: "I don't like to be the guy who posts pics with celebrities that pass. But this guy wasn't just a celebrity to me. He was a friend."
Dye continued, praising Finn's "PERFECT sense of humour" and expressing his affection, saying: "I love you Pat Finn and I'll see you again in the after, we can sing together and shake our heads about all the meanness in the used to be."
Pat Finn is survived by his wife, Donna, whom he married in 1990, and their three children.
