Jack Riley, Mr. Carlin on ‘The Bob Newhart Show,’ dies at 80

Dan Steinberg / AP

In this Sept. 5, 2007, file photo, actor Jack Riley poses at the TV Land 35th anniversary celebration of “The Bob Newhart Show” in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Associated Press

Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 | 3:14 p.m.

NEW YORK — Jack Riley, who played a counseling client on "The Bob Newhart Show" and also voiced a character on Nickelodeon's animated "Rugrats," died Friday. The 80-year-old actor died in Los Angeles, according to his representative Paul Doherty.

Besides portraying grumpy, self-absorbed Mr. Carlin on the 1970s "Newhart" sitcom and providing the voice for absent-minded dad Stu Pickles on "Rugrats" and its spinoff, "All Grown Up!," Riley appeared in the Mel Brooks films "History of the World: Part I," ''High Anxiety" and "Spaceballs."

In a statement, Newhart said Riley created one of TV's "most endearing" situation comedy characters with his Carlin portrayal.

Riley was a "dear friend," one whose loss leaves an emptiness in the lives of his friends and family, including his wife Ginger Lawrence, Newhart said.

The Cleveland native also voiced commercials and made guest appearances on numerous TV series including "Seinfeld," ''Night Court" and "Diff'rent Strokes."