Actor John Lawlor, known for his work in “The Facts of Life” and “Phyllis,” has passed away at 83. His family shared the news on February 24, in an obituary published days after his death at a veterans’ hospice facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His daughter, Riel, was present when he died peacefully on February 13, 2025.
The obituary described Lawlor’s love for his family, his passion for theater, television, movies, literature, and his love of horses.
Born on June 5, 1941 in Troy, New York, Lawlor was the eldest of six siblings. His family later relocated to Boulder, Colorado where he was raised. He graduated from the University of Colorado and was a member of the Nomad Players in Boulder, where he performed in several stage productions, including “Sweeney Todd.”
Prior to his acting career, Lawlor served in the United States Army in Vietnam. His screen career began in the mid-1970s with roles in “The Rockford Files,” “Ellery Queen,” and “Jackson County Jail.”
Lawlor’s most notable role was in 1979 as Headmaster Steven Bradley in the NBC sitcom “The Facts of Life.” He featured in the show’s first season before being replaced by Roger Perry’s character, Charles Parker, in the second season. He also played Leonard Marsh in the “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” spinoff “Phyllis” from 1976 to 1977, a role that left a lasting impression on viewers.
Lawlor transitioned to film in 1981 with a role in Blake Edwards’ “S.O.B.” He continued to make appearances in movies like “The Gumball Rally,” “Billy Jack Goes to Washington,” “National Lampoon’s Movie Madness,” and “Wyatt Earp” (1994) directed by Lawrence Kasdan.
Throughout the 80s, Lawlor was a regular face on television with roles in “Alice,” “Barney Miller,” “Newhart,” “T.J. Hooker,” “Sledge Hammer!,” “Mr. Belvedere,” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.” He also featured in a memorable Malt-O-Meal cereal commercial, coining the popular catchphrase “Good stuff, Maynard!”
Lawlor continued to act in television shows such as “Knots Landing,” “L.A. Law,” “Cold Case,” “Scoundrels,” “Breaking Bad,” and “Longmire” into the 2000s and 2010s. His final role was in the Netflix western miniseries “Godless” in 2017.
Besides acting, Lawlor also worked as an assistant director and second unit director on films like “Excalibur,” “Highlander,” and “A Prayer for the Dying” during the 80s and 90s. He served as a cinematographer and was an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer trainer in Denver.
Following Lawlor’s death, his “The Facts of Life” co-stars Mindy Cohn and Lisa Whelchel paid tribute to him on social media.
Lawlor was married to Canadian actress Tantoo Cardinal from 1988 to 2000. He is survived by his five children, Riel, Eric, Bryan, Annie, and Elizabeth Lawlor, and a stepson, Clifford Cardinal.
