Renowned actor John Lawlor, famed for his performances in “The Facts of Life” and “Phyllis,” passed away at 83. His demise was announced in an obituary released by his family on February 24, following his death on February 13, 2025. Lawlor died in a veterans hospice facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with his daughter Riel by his side.
The obituary highlighted Lawlor’s fondness for his family, his passion for theater, television, movies, literature, and his cherished horses.
Born on June 5, 1941, in Troy, New York, Lawlor was the eldest of six children. His family later relocated to Boulder, Colorado, where he was raised. After graduation from the University of Colorado, he joined the Nomad Players in Boulder and starred in numerous stage productions, including “Sweeney Todd.”
Prior to his acting career, Lawlor served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. His screen career began in the mid-1970s with roles in “The Rockford Files,” “Ellery Queen,” and “Jackson County Jail.”
Lawlor became a household name in 1979 when he played Headmaster Steven Bradley on the NBC sitcom “The Facts of Life.” He was part of the show’s inaugural season but was later replaced by the character Charles Parker, played by Roger Perry, in the show’s second season.
He also portrayed Leonard Marsh, a co-worker of Cloris Leachman’s character, in the CBS’s “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” spinoff “Phyllis” from 1976 to 1977. His portrayal of the bumbling Leonard Marsh is still remembered by many.
In 1981, Lawlor made his foray into films with a role in Blake Edwards’ “S.O.B.” His filmography includes “The Gumball Rally,” “Billy Jack Goes to Washington,” “National Lampoon’s Movie Madness,” and Lawrence Kasdan’s “Wyatt Earp” (1994).
Lawlor was a highly visible television actor throughout the 1980s, with guest appearances on shows such as “Alice,” “Barney Miller,” “Newhart,” “T.J. Hooker,” “Sledge Hammer!,” “Mr. Belvedere,” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.” He is also known for his memorable Malt-O-Meal cereal commercial, where he coined the popular catchphrase “Good stuff, Maynard!”
Lawlor continued to act in TV shows like “Knots Landing,” “L.A. Law,” “Cold Case,” “Scoundrels,” “Breaking Bad,” and “Longmire” into the 2000s and 2010s. His last credited role was in the Netflix western miniseries “Godless” in 2017.
Beyond acting, Lawlor also worked as an assistant director and second unit director on several films during the 1980s and 1990s, including “Excalibur,” “Highlander,” and “A Prayer for the Dying.” He served as a cinematographer and volunteered as a trainer for AmeriCorps Seniors in Denver.
In the wake of Lawlor’s death, “The Facts of Life” co-stars Mindy Cohn and Lisa Whelchel paid their respects online, sharing memories and offering condolences.
Lawlor was married to Canadian actress Tantoo Cardinal from 1988 to 2000. He leaves behind five children, Riel, Eric, Bryan, Annie, and Elizabeth Lawlor, as well as a stepson Clifford Cardinal.