‘Back To School’ And ‘Mad About You’ Actor Was 85

English actor Paxton Whitehead, who was nominated for a Tony for his performance in Camelot and is remembered as the stuffy professor in the 1985 film Back To School, died Friday at a hospital in Arlington, Virginia. He was 85.

Born Francis Edward Paxton Whitehead on October 17, 1937 in East Malling and Larkfield, Kent, Whitehead appeared 17 times on Broadway from 1962-2018. Productions included My Fair Lady, The Harlequin Studies, London Suite and as Sherlock Holmes in The Crucifer of Blood.

Whitehead was also active in film and on television, most notably with a recurring role on the sitcom Mad About You as the snobbish neighbor Hal Conway , and as a regular in the short-lived comedies Marblehead Manor and Simon. He also made the rounds as a guest star in dozens of TV series including Friends, Frasier, Ellen, Caroline in the City, 3rd Rock From the Sun, Magnum, P.I., Murder, She Wrote, Law & Order and The West Wing.

In addition to Back To School, his film roles included Jumpin’ Jack Flash (1986), Baby Boom (1987), The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993), My Boyfriend’s Back (1993), The Duke (1999), Kate and Leopold (2001) and The Aristocrat (2009).

“Heartbroken to hear my dear friend and mentor Paxton Whitehead has passed away,” tweeted English actor Jim Piddock. “He was an extraordinary actor, a brilliant friend, and truly wonderful human being. He meant so much to so many people and always brought a smile to the faces of everyone he encountered.”

Whitehead is survived by his son Charles and daughter Alex.