Whitney Rydbeck was a gifted actor who passed away at the age of 79. His role in “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives” made him most famous. Due to complications from his prostate cancer, he passed away on Monday. He was receiving care from Chatsworth, California’s hospice.
The sixth “Friday the 13th” director, Tommy McLoughlin, verified the news on Instagram by honoring Rydbeck.
McLoughlin recalls Rydbeck as a humorous comic and actor, as well as one of the most honest and compassionate persons he has ever encountered.
He expressed his condolences and wished the actor a quick recovery by saying, “God bless you and rest in peace, Whitney Rydbeck.” “Heaven gains what we lose.”
Born in Los Angeles, Rydbeck studied drama at Cal State Fullerton, Pasadena City College, and Pasadena High School. He made his acting debut in a “Nanny and the Professor” episode in 1970. After that, he starred in popular TV series including “The Brady Bunch,” “MAS*H,” and “Monster Squad” in addition to motion pictures like “Rocky II,” “Love at First Bite,” and Steven Spielberg’s “1941.”
One of Rydbeck’s most well-known characters from “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives” was Roy, a paintball soldier. In the film, Roy goes after infamous serial killer Jason Voorhees, only to become one of his victims instead.
In addition to being an actor, Rydbeck rose to fame in the 1980s as “Larry,” the crash test dummy he performed in seat belt awareness commercials. By depicting how terrible (fake) auto accidents would be, Rydbeck and Tony Reitano illustrated what would happen if people didn’t use seat belts.
The catchphrase that concluded the commercials was “You could learn a lot from a dummy.” Fasten your seat belt.