I was deeply saddened this morning to read of the death of John Spencer who will be best known to most as Leo McGarry from The West Wing. To me the West Wing is the finest television show ever to grace our screens and this was due on no small part to John Spencer who brought the character of Leo to life with his skill and enthusiasm for the role.

I have only seen one interview with the man, on which he earnestly talks of his role on The West Wing, his co-stars and the show as a whole, and it is clear to see his excitement in what he is doing and his friendliness just radiates through the screen.

Oddly as I write this I am remembering the Channel 4 adverts in which the stars of the channel 4 shows say a word or phrase relating to an unheard (by the viewer) question. From what has come before in the ad it was clear the question was ‘what is you favourite word’. Spencer’s reply was the last and he simply said that his favourite word was “Hope, I guess. Hope.”

Read more here