Fred Willard, comedic actor best known for “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Best in Show” and “Waiting for Guffman,” and, most recently as Phil Dunphy’s father on “Modern Family,” died Friday night of natural causes. He was 86.
“My father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old. He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end,” his daughter Hope Mulbarger said in a statement. “We loved him so very much!”
Willard was a master at playing characters who weren’t the brightest of bulbs, a feat he perfected in Rob Reiner’s “This Is Spinal Tap,” along with a number of Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries, including “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best in Show,” “A Mighty Wind” and “For Your Consideration.”
Also Read: Lynn Shelton, Director of 'Mad Men' and 'Glow' Episodes, Dies at 54
Guest’s wife, Jamie Lee Curtis,...
“My father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old. He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end,” his daughter Hope Mulbarger said in a statement. “We loved him so very much!”
Willard was a master at playing characters who weren’t the brightest of bulbs, a feat he perfected in Rob Reiner’s “This Is Spinal Tap,” along with a number of Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries, including “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best in Show,” “A Mighty Wind” and “For Your Consideration.”
Also Read: Lynn Shelton, Director of 'Mad Men' and 'Glow' Episodes, Dies at 54
Guest’s wife, Jamie Lee Curtis,...
- 5/16/2020
- by Rosemary Rossi
- The Wrap
Designer Frank Bielec, who remodeled and redecorated rooms for eight seasons on TLC’s “Trading Spaces,” died on Friday at the age of 72.
Bielec’s passing was announced by TLC on Saturday morning, with the network tweeting that it will miss his “quirky style and wonderful sense of humor.”
A sad day for the TLC family as we learn of the passing of beloved Trading Spaces designer Frank Bielec. We will miss and remember him fondly, his quirky style and wonderful sense of humor. We share our love and condolences with the entire Bielec family at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/D9cozQeDM2
— TLC Network (@TLC) May 16, 2020
Bielec’s wife Judy told TMZ, the first outlet to report the news, he had suffered a heart attack on Thursday and was taken to a hospital to Katy, Texas, before being transferred to a hospital in Houston, where he later passed away.
Bielec’s passing was announced by TLC on Saturday morning, with the network tweeting that it will miss his “quirky style and wonderful sense of humor.”
A sad day for the TLC family as we learn of the passing of beloved Trading Spaces designer Frank Bielec. We will miss and remember him fondly, his quirky style and wonderful sense of humor. We share our love and condolences with the entire Bielec family at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/D9cozQeDM2
— TLC Network (@TLC) May 16, 2020
Bielec’s wife Judy told TMZ, the first outlet to report the news, he had suffered a heart attack on Thursday and was taken to a hospital to Katy, Texas, before being transferred to a hospital in Houston, where he later passed away.
- 5/16/2020
- by Sean Burch
- The Wrap
Frank Bielec, a quirky interior designer who was a key part of the reality TV show Trading Spaces, has died at age 72. His death was confirmed by his wife, who said he passed on Friday at a Houston, Texas hospital.
Bielec was part of Trading Spaces between 2000 and 2008. The show involved swapping houses between two homeowners, who then would work with a team of designers to revamp a room on a $1,000 budget. Bielic’s funny, warm style was an instant hit with viewers.
He began his career as an elementary school teacher, teaching art and social studies. But he obtained a Master’s degree in art and design, then left teaching to become a florist for 20 years. He then went into the cross-stitch business with his wife, Judy.
His big break into television came when he was standing in for a demonstrator at a convention. There, he was approached by an Hgtv producer,...
Bielec was part of Trading Spaces between 2000 and 2008. The show involved swapping houses between two homeowners, who then would work with a team of designers to revamp a room on a $1,000 budget. Bielic’s funny, warm style was an instant hit with viewers.
He began his career as an elementary school teacher, teaching art and social studies. But he obtained a Master’s degree in art and design, then left teaching to become a florist for 20 years. He then went into the cross-stitch business with his wife, Judy.
His big break into television came when he was standing in for a demonstrator at a convention. There, he was approached by an Hgtv producer,...
- 5/16/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Trading Spaces star Frank Bielec died at the age of 72 on Friday. Bielec's wife, Judy Bielec, told TMZ that her husband suffered a heart attack on Thursday and was pronounced dead the following day at a Houston hospital. The TLC Network also confirmed the death of the celebrated designer, taking to Twitter with a post memorializing the creative. "A sad day for the TLC family as we learn of the passing of beloved Trading Spaces designer Frank Bielec," the tweet read on Saturday morning. "We will miss and remember him fondly, his quirky style and wonderful sense of humor. We share our love and condolences with the entire Bielec family at this difficult time." In the time since his...
- 5/16/2020
- E! Online
Frank Bielec, a designer on the TLC series “Trading Spaces,” died on Friday night after suffering a heart attack. He was 72.
TLC shared the news on the network’s Twitter account on Saturday morning.
“A sad day for the TLC family as we learn of the passing of beloved ‘Trading Spaces’ designer Frank Bielec. We will miss and remember him fondly, his quirky style and wonderful sense of humor. We share our love and condolences with the entire Bielec family at this difficult time,” TLC said.
A sad day for the TLC family as we learn of the passing of beloved Trading Spaces designer Frank Bielec. We will miss and remember him fondly, his quirky style and wonderful sense of humor. We share our love and condolences with the entire Bielec family at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/D9cozQeDM2
— TLC Network (@TLC) May 16, 2020
Bielec appeared on the home...
TLC shared the news on the network’s Twitter account on Saturday morning.
“A sad day for the TLC family as we learn of the passing of beloved ‘Trading Spaces’ designer Frank Bielec. We will miss and remember him fondly, his quirky style and wonderful sense of humor. We share our love and condolences with the entire Bielec family at this difficult time,” TLC said.
A sad day for the TLC family as we learn of the passing of beloved Trading Spaces designer Frank Bielec. We will miss and remember him fondly, his quirky style and wonderful sense of humor. We share our love and condolences with the entire Bielec family at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/D9cozQeDM2
— TLC Network (@TLC) May 16, 2020
Bielec appeared on the home...
- 5/16/2020
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Frank Bielec, frequent Trading Spaces designer, died at the age of 72, TMZ reports.
Bielec passed away Friday, according to his wife, Judy, just one day after suffering a heart attack. He was originally taken to a hospital in Katy, Texas before being transferred to Houston for specialized treatment.
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A skilled designer best known for his work on the TLC show,...
Bielec passed away Friday, according to his wife, Judy, just one day after suffering a heart attack. He was originally taken to a hospital in Katy, Texas before being transferred to Houston for specialized treatment.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Uma Thurman's Netflix Gig, Trading Spaces Renewed and MoreTLC to Host Trading Spaces Reunion: Watch Paige Davis & Co. Look Back Ahead of the Show's 2018 ReturnTVLine Items: Thrones Vet to Simpsons, a Chicago P.D. Promotion and More
A skilled designer best known for his work on the TLC show,...
- 5/16/2020
- TVLine.com
Frank Bielec, a designer on the TLC series Trading Spaces, has died. He was 72.
The Discovery-owned channel shared the news of Bielec's death on Saturday morning with a post on Twitter.
"A sad day for the TLC family as we learn of the passing of beloved 'Trading Spaces' designer Frank Bielec. We will miss and remember him fondly, his quirky style and wonderful sense of humor. We share our love and condolences with the entire Bielec family at this difficult time," the network said.
Bielec’s wife Judy told TMZ he died at a Houston ...
The Discovery-owned channel shared the news of Bielec's death on Saturday morning with a post on Twitter.
"A sad day for the TLC family as we learn of the passing of beloved 'Trading Spaces' designer Frank Bielec. We will miss and remember him fondly, his quirky style and wonderful sense of humor. We share our love and condolences with the entire Bielec family at this difficult time," the network said.
Bielec’s wife Judy told TMZ he died at a Houston ...
- 5/16/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
TLC is ready for some spring cleaning. Today, the network announced season 10 of Trading Spaces will debut in March.
The popular home makeover series returned last year after 10 years off the air. The revival features original host Paige Davis as well as carpenter Ty Pennington and designers Vern Yip, Laurie Smith, Doug Wilson, Frank Bielec, and Hildi Santo Tomas.
Read More…...
The popular home makeover series returned last year after 10 years off the air. The revival features original host Paige Davis as well as carpenter Ty Pennington and designers Vern Yip, Laurie Smith, Doug Wilson, Frank Bielec, and Hildi Santo Tomas.
Read More…...
- 1/29/2019
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Discovery said today that its cable nets TLC and Hgtv are teaming to revive the 2000s home-makeover series while you were out.
The premiere of the first series co-production under Discovery’s expanded lifestyle portfolio will be simulcast on both networks, with each brand lending its special flair to the series, Discovery said. Production begins this month for a 2019 premiere.
While You Were Out will feature TLC and Hgtv stars designing one room in neighboring homes
while each set of homeowners send their significant others on a weekend getaway to await the ultimate surprise reveal upon their return. The nets will air their own version of the same episode featuring the same homeowners, designers and carpenters.
“This is an exciting moment for the newly combined Discovery Lifestyle portfolio and for our passionate, female audiences,” said Howard Lee, President and Gm of TLC, and Allison Page, President and Gm of Hgtv and Food Network.
The premiere of the first series co-production under Discovery’s expanded lifestyle portfolio will be simulcast on both networks, with each brand lending its special flair to the series, Discovery said. Production begins this month for a 2019 premiere.
While You Were Out will feature TLC and Hgtv stars designing one room in neighboring homes
while each set of homeowners send their significant others on a weekend getaway to await the ultimate surprise reveal upon their return. The nets will air their own version of the same episode featuring the same homeowners, designers and carpenters.
“This is an exciting moment for the newly combined Discovery Lifestyle portfolio and for our passionate, female audiences,” said Howard Lee, President and Gm of TLC, and Allison Page, President and Gm of Hgtv and Food Network.
- 10/29/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Discovery is relaunching hit home makeover series “While You Were Out,” which will debut as a crossover series airing on both TLC and Hgtv in 2019, the company announced Monday.
The project marks Discovery Inc.’s first co-production after the company, led by chief lifestyle brands officer Kathleen Finch, acquired Scripps Networks earlier this year.
“While You Were Out” — which originally debuted on TLC in 2002 and ran for four seasons — will simulcast its revival premiere on both TLC and Hgtv, “with each network brand lending its special flair to the series,” according to Hgtv.
Also Read: New Kids on the Block Singer Jonathan Knight Lands Hgtv Show
Per the series official description, “While You Were Out” will “feature TLC and Hgtv stars designing one room in neighboring homes while each set of homeowners send their significant others on a weekend getaway to await the ultimate surprise reveal upon their return.”
Both...
The project marks Discovery Inc.’s first co-production after the company, led by chief lifestyle brands officer Kathleen Finch, acquired Scripps Networks earlier this year.
“While You Were Out” — which originally debuted on TLC in 2002 and ran for four seasons — will simulcast its revival premiere on both TLC and Hgtv, “with each network brand lending its special flair to the series,” according to Hgtv.
Also Read: New Kids on the Block Singer Jonathan Knight Lands Hgtv Show
Per the series official description, “While You Were Out” will “feature TLC and Hgtv stars designing one room in neighboring homes while each set of homeowners send their significant others on a weekend getaway to await the ultimate surprise reveal upon their return.”
Both...
- 10/29/2018
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Discovery is looking to capitalize on the promise of its Scripps Networks Interactive acquisition through a plan to revive the home makeover series “While You Were Out” with separate episodes of the show tailored for TLC and Hgtv audiences.
The series is billed as the first crossover series among Discovery networks following its $14 billion purchase of the parent company of Hgtv, Food Network, Travel Channel and other lifestyle cablers. Those brands are now being integrated into the Discovery fold alongside TLC, Animal Planet, Own, Science, Velocity and other outlets.
“While You Were Out” will blend designer stars from past and present TLC and Hgtv shows in a competition format. The series will air at the same time on both networks when it premieres next year.
“This is an idea I used to dream about, but we couldn’t do it before our companies came together,” Kathleen Finch, Discovery’s chief lifestyle brands officer,...
The series is billed as the first crossover series among Discovery networks following its $14 billion purchase of the parent company of Hgtv, Food Network, Travel Channel and other lifestyle cablers. Those brands are now being integrated into the Discovery fold alongside TLC, Animal Planet, Own, Science, Velocity and other outlets.
“While You Were Out” will blend designer stars from past and present TLC and Hgtv shows in a competition format. The series will air at the same time on both networks when it premieres next year.
“This is an idea I used to dream about, but we couldn’t do it before our companies came together,” Kathleen Finch, Discovery’s chief lifestyle brands officer,...
- 10/29/2018
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Trading Spaces is sticking around. Today, TLC announced they've renewed the TV show for a 10th season.
The home renovation show follows neighbors as they remake each other’s houses with the help of designers and carpenters. The series is hosted by Paige Davis and features designers Doug Wilson, Hildi Santo-Tomas, Laurie Smith, Frank Bielec, Genevieve Gorder, and Vern Yip. New designers include John Gidding, Kahi Lee, and Sabrina Soto.
Read More…...
The home renovation show follows neighbors as they remake each other’s houses with the help of designers and carpenters. The series is hosted by Paige Davis and features designers Doug Wilson, Hildi Santo-Tomas, Laurie Smith, Frank Bielec, Genevieve Gorder, and Vern Yip. New designers include John Gidding, Kahi Lee, and Sabrina Soto.
Read More…...
- 9/8/2018
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Neighbors, prepare your reaction faces because Trading Spaces is back in production. The TLC home makeover show that features two pairs of neighbors swapping homes to remake a room returned to huge ratings in 2018 and production on a second revival season is now underway. Who's return? We've got that scoop. Along with host Paige Davis, the new season will feature…everyone from last year! Brett Tutor, Carter Oosterhouse, Doug Wilson, Frank Bielec, Genevieve Gorder, Hildi Santo Tomas, Joanie Sprague, John Gidding, Kahi Lee, Laurie Smith, Sabrina Soto, Ty Pennington and Vern Yip will all return for some savvy makeovers. Like last year, the two sets of neighbors will trade rooms for two days and with the help of a...
- 9/7/2018
- E! Online
Trading Spaces will return. Today, TLC announced they've renewed the TV series reboot for a 10th season.The home renovation show follows neighbors as they remake each other's houses with the help of designers and carpenters. The series is hosted by Paige Davis and features designers Doug Wilson, Hildi Santo-Tomas, Laurie Smith, Frank Bielec, Genevieve Gorder, and Vern Yip. New designers include John Gidding, Kahi Lee, and Sabrina Soto.Read More…...
- 5/31/2018
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Designer Frank Bielec ended up on TLC's Trading Spaces purely by happenstance. He was filling in as a last-minute substitute demonstrator at a decorative paint convention in Nashville when he caught the eye of a television producer. He certainly never expected to become a breakout TV star shortly after his October 2000 debut… or to be coming back as an all-new Frank in an all-new version of the hit reality show, all these years later. "I just thought there were so many reasons I didn't want to get back into that stuff, the whole celebrity thing," he recently told Good Housekeeping. But Trading Spaces just wouldn't be the same without Frank. Viewers love him for his friendliness, his wit, and his crafty aesthetic. Even though he describes the experience of filming his first episode in the original run as "a cross between plastic surgery and a root canal," he soon...
- 4/22/2018
- by Dan Clarendon
- Closer Weekly
“Trading Spaces” returned to TLC and brought the network’s largest Saturday night audience in eight years.
The premiere episode of the home design show was the most-watched show on TV across the entire night, with 2.8 million total viewers, besting the season premiere of the CBS drama “Ransom” and the HBO’s “Paterno” biopic starring Al Pacino.
The episode was preceded by an hourlong reunion special, which also won its timeslot with 2.5 million total viewers. Together, the two shows earned the Discovery-owned network its most-watched Saturday night block in since 2010.
Also Read: 'Trading Spaces' Host Paige Davis 'Really Liked' That 'Prison of Love' Bedroom - for Real
“Trading Spaces” was revived by TLC after a decade off the air, with original host Paige Davis returning, as well as designers and carpenters Doug Wilson, Carter Oosterhouse, Frank Bielec, Genevieve Gorder, Hildi Santo-Tomas, Laurie Smith, Ty Pennington and Vern Yip. New cast members include Brett Tutor, Joanie Dodd, John Gidding, Kahi Lee and Sabrina Soto.
It is produced by Authentic Entertainment, a subsidiary of Endemol Shine North America
Read original story ‘Trading Spaces’ Hands TLC Its Highest-Rated Saturday in 8 Years At TheWrap...
The premiere episode of the home design show was the most-watched show on TV across the entire night, with 2.8 million total viewers, besting the season premiere of the CBS drama “Ransom” and the HBO’s “Paterno” biopic starring Al Pacino.
The episode was preceded by an hourlong reunion special, which also won its timeslot with 2.5 million total viewers. Together, the two shows earned the Discovery-owned network its most-watched Saturday night block in since 2010.
Also Read: 'Trading Spaces' Host Paige Davis 'Really Liked' That 'Prison of Love' Bedroom - for Real
“Trading Spaces” was revived by TLC after a decade off the air, with original host Paige Davis returning, as well as designers and carpenters Doug Wilson, Carter Oosterhouse, Frank Bielec, Genevieve Gorder, Hildi Santo-Tomas, Laurie Smith, Ty Pennington and Vern Yip. New cast members include Brett Tutor, Joanie Dodd, John Gidding, Kahi Lee and Sabrina Soto.
It is produced by Authentic Entertainment, a subsidiary of Endemol Shine North America
Read original story ‘Trading Spaces’ Hands TLC Its Highest-Rated Saturday in 8 Years At TheWrap...
- 4/12/2018
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Before TLC’s iconic home-makeover series Trading Spaces returns for Round 2 in 2018, the original team is reuniting for a game of Where Are They Now.
RelatedTrading Spaces Returning to TLC
Paige Davis, who is returning to host Trading Spaces 2.0, will appear alongside Amy Wynn Pastor, Carter Oosterhouse, Doug Wilson, Frank Bielec, Genevieve Gorder, Hildi Santo-Tomas, Laurie Smith, Ty Pennington and Vern Yip in a catch-up special airing this spring (exact date Tbd), hosted by Lisa Joyner of TLC’s Long Lost Family.
As seen in the preview clip above, the original cast members will reminisce about their favorite room transformations,...
RelatedTrading Spaces Returning to TLC
Paige Davis, who is returning to host Trading Spaces 2.0, will appear alongside Amy Wynn Pastor, Carter Oosterhouse, Doug Wilson, Frank Bielec, Genevieve Gorder, Hildi Santo-Tomas, Laurie Smith, Ty Pennington and Vern Yip in a catch-up special airing this spring (exact date Tbd), hosted by Lisa Joyner of TLC’s Long Lost Family.
As seen in the preview clip above, the original cast members will reminisce about their favorite room transformations,...
- 11/8/2017
- TVLine.com
After almost a decade on the air, Trading Spaces‘ quirky cast of designers and carpenters is one big family. And like every family, there’s one wild card member that marches to his own drum.
In Ts’s group, that’s lovable Southerner Frank Bielec. The country style enthusiast was a fan favorite when he appeared on the original show from 2000 to 2008, but when TLC announced a reboot (coming in spring 2018), his former castmates weren’t sure he would show.
Related: Inside the Moment the Trading Spaces Cast Reunited after 10 Years: ‘We Cried Our Eyes Out’
“I didn’t think Frank would come back,...
In Ts’s group, that’s lovable Southerner Frank Bielec. The country style enthusiast was a fan favorite when he appeared on the original show from 2000 to 2008, but when TLC announced a reboot (coming in spring 2018), his former castmates weren’t sure he would show.
Related: Inside the Moment the Trading Spaces Cast Reunited after 10 Years: ‘We Cried Our Eyes Out’
“I didn’t think Frank would come back,...
- 9/22/2017
- by Mackenzie Schmidt
- PEOPLE.com
“Trading Spaces” is returning to TLC after 10 years off the air and some familiar faces are coming back. Related: Paige Davis Returns To Host Upcoming ‘Trading Spaces’ Reboot Designers and carpenters like Doug Wilson, Carter Oosterhouse, Frank Bielec, Genevieve Gorder, Hildi Santo-Tomas, Laurie Smith, Ty Pennington, and Vern Yip are all returning to the program. […]...
- 9/14/2017
- by Shakiel Mahjouri
- ET Canada
Ty Pennington is among the “Trading Spaces” alums joining host Paige Davis in TLC’s reboot of the home-makeover series, the network announced Wednesday. Pennington, also known for hosting “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” appears in the first promo that was released Wednesday, as do fellow returning designers Doug Wilson, Carter Oosterhouse, Frank Bielec, Genevieve Gorder, Hildi Santo-Tomas, Laurie Smith and Vern Yip. Davis’ return had been previously announced for the new season of “Spaces” that is set to premiere in Spring 2018. “We’re getting the band back together,” Pennington says in the footage. “I’m so excited to see some of their faces.
- 9/14/2017
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Wrap
Trading Spaces is coming back to televisions nationwide, and fans are already getting giddy with visions of new two-day room revamps.
On Tuesday, TLC president and general manager Nancy Daniels announced that the early 2000s home renovation series would be returning to the network in 2018 – but provided little other detail.
So, until the network is ready to divulge, here’s some things from Trading Spaces‘ original run that we’re hoping will carry on through the reboot.
1. Voice of reason Paige Davis and her famous pixie
When actress Paige Davis was brought on as host of the show in its second season,...
On Tuesday, TLC president and general manager Nancy Daniels announced that the early 2000s home renovation series would be returning to the network in 2018 – but provided little other detail.
So, until the network is ready to divulge, here’s some things from Trading Spaces‘ original run that we’re hoping will carry on through the reboot.
1. Voice of reason Paige Davis and her famous pixie
When actress Paige Davis was brought on as host of the show in its second season,...
- 3/29/2017
- by Lindsay Kimble
- PEOPLE.com
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