Whitney Rydbeck, ‘M*A*S*H,’ ‘Friday The 13th,’ PSA Icon Dies At 79

• Whitney Rydbeck died on July 15 at the age of 79.
• The cause of death was complications related to prostate cancer.
• Rydbeck was known for his colorful acting career, which saw him in the likes of ‘M*A*S*H,’ ‘Friday the 13th,’ and in PSAs about seatbelts as the crash dummy Larry.

On July 15, Whitney Rydbeck died. He was 79 years old when he passed away, with his cause of death attributed to complications related to prostate cancer. He had been living in Chatsworth, California, when he died, according to Deadline.

Rydbeck was an actor known for his versatile resume. He appeared in the wildly successful dramedy television series M*A*S*H, while also playing a victim in Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives. On top of that, he also appeared in PSA videos as the esteemed and ill-fated crash dummy Larry bidding drivers and passengers to please wear their seatbelts.

Mourning the loss of Whitney Rydbeck

News of Rydbeck’s passing came from Tommy McLoughlin, who directed Jason Lives. “We lost not only a truly funny comedian and actor,” McLoughlin mourned in an Instagram post, “but one of the most good hearted human beings I’ve ever known. God Bless You and Rest in Peace..Whitney Rydbeck. Our Loss is Heavens’ Gain.”

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The post is accompanied by several images from Rydbeck’s role in the horror film.

There are many other former colleagues who are feeling his loss, as Rydbeck had an extensive filmography that transcended countless genres and mediums. He’s estimated to have some 50 film and television credits, including classics like The Brady Bunch, M*A*S*H, Lassie, and more.

A career witnessed by all

Whitney Rydbeck was born on March 13, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, and would work there quite a lot once his career kicked off in 1970. After studying theater at Cal State Fullerton, he, along with McLoughlin, joined the Richmond Shepard Mime Troupe.

This masterful physicality would serve Rydbeck well throughout his career, as he and Tony Reitano famously played the crash dummies, Larry and Vince, in a series of PSA campaigns advertising seatbelts throughout the ’80s; initially, car seats and seatbelts were something optional for drivers to improvise at their discretion.

Rydbeck attended the 25th anniversary of the dummy’s launch; props related to the famous campaign were brought into the Smithsonian American History Museum.

Rydbeck is survived by his longtime partner, Claire. Rest in peace.

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