Lander died on Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after fighting multiple sclerosis for decades, his family said in a statement to CNN.
“David’s family hopes his fans will remember him for all the laughter he brought into the world.” the statement read.
On “Laverne & Shirley,” Lander played Squiggy and Michael McKean played Lenny, the upstairs neighbors to Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney, played by Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams, respectively.
Lander, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, was in 120 movies and television series including “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” “Used Cars,” “Scary Movie” and “101 Dalmatians: The Series.”
Lander was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1984, one year after “Laverne & Shirley” came to an end. He kept the illness a secret until 1999 with the release of his memoir, “Fall Down Laughing: How Squiggy Caught Multiple Sclerosis and Didn’t Tell Nobody.”
He later became known for speaking at conventions, fundraisers and galas where he advocated for others who live with multiple sclerosis.
The actor leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Kathy Lander, and 37-year-old daughter Natalie Lander.
CNN’s Hollie Silverman contributed to this report.
You may also like
-
UK coronavirus variant has been reported in 86 countries, WHO says
-
NASA technology can help save whale sharks says Australian marine biologist and ECOCEAN founder, Brad Norman
-
California Twentynine Palms: Explosives are missing from the nation’s largest Marine Corps base and an investigation is underway
-
Trump unhappy with his impeachment attorney’s performance, sources say
-
Lunar New Year 2021: Ushering in the Year of the Ox