Who played Leo McGarry on The West Wing?

John Spencer played Leo McGarry on The West Wing.

Spencer joined the NBC political drama in 1999 as Leo McGarry, President Jed Bartlet’s close friend and White House Chief of Staff. Leo is a central figure in the administration: a demanding mentor, experienced political operator, and recovering alcoholic whose personal history shapes many of his decisions.

Before The West Wing, Spencer was known for playing attorney Tommy Mullaney on L.A. Law. His performance as Leo earned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2002, after the show had established Leo as one of its most respected characters.

Spencer died in December 2005, during production of the show’s seventh and final season. The series incorporated his death into Leo’s story, having the character die after suffering a heart attack on election night. Bradley Whitford played Josh Lyman, Richard Schiff played Toby Ziegler, and Martin Sheen played President Bartlet—three frequent sources of confusion in this question.