Whitney Rydbeck dead at 79: The Friday the 13th Part VI actor died of complications from prostate cancer

Whitney Rydbeck, best known for his memorable performance in Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives, died of complications from prostate cancer on Monday. 

Rydbeck, who had a prolific career as a TV and film actor, appearing in more than fifty shows and movies, drew his last breath while in hospice care in Chatsworth, California. 

His longtime friend Tommy McLoughlin confirmed his passing, at age 79, to The Hollywood Reporter.

On Saturday morning, McLoughlin paid tribute to Rydbeck in a heartfelt Instagram tribute. 

'We lost not only a truly funny comedian and actor … but one of the most good-hearted human beings I’ve ever known,' the film director, 74, wrote.

Fans took to the comment section to grieve Rydbeck and share their favorite memories of him on film. 

'He brought a lot to Jason Lives, his comedic act, his panic, his naiveness, his lack of paintball skills. But a generation based on only a few minutes air time remember this guy when going paintballing. A sad loss indeed. ❤️,' one wrote. 

Another commented: 'Oh man, that’s very sad news. He was great and Jason Lives very memorable and funny.' 

'So very sorry for your loss.. his mark on F13 is one of the most memorable,' a third added. 

A handful of his followers raved about how Rydbeck 'did so much with such a limited role' in Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives and how he would be 'missed.' 

Others referred to the late star as a 'forever legend' and 'scene stealer!' 

Rybeck was born in Los Angeles March 13, 1945, and was a graduate of Pasadena High School before attending Pasadena City College and later Cal State Fullerton to study theater. 

He made his small screen debut with a small part in Nanny and the Professor in 1970. 

Over his long career, Rydbeck had small, but notable one-episode appearances in shows such as The Brady Bunch, M*A*S*H, Big John and Switch. 

In Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives, the actor, who portrayed a character named Roy, fired shots at Jason Voorhees with a paint ball gun, before getting murdered by the fictional villain known for wearing a hockey mask. 

His other credits include 1941, Rocky II, Oliver and Company and Woody Allen's movie, Sleeper, in which he portrayed a silent robot. The journeyman actor's last big screen appearance was in Angels with Angles. 

Those who grew up on the 1980s may also remember his as part of the duo Larry and Vince, crash test dummies from comical PSA promoting seat belt use. 

The series of ads was from the safety campaign titled You Could Learn A Lot From A Dummy.

In 2010, Rydbeck told The Washington Post he practiced what he preached, dreading a headline that might read Actor Who Played Crash Dummy Died for Not Buckling Up. I always buckle up, I’ll tell you that,' he told the publication.