LesterFester — 12 years ago(February 09, 2014 06:00 PM)

Reading Eagle March 2, 1995
EMMY WINNER ED FLANDERS DEAD AT 60
(Associated Press)
DENNY, California Ed Flanders, who won Emmy Awards for playing kind-hearted Dr. Donald Westphal on NBC's "St. Elsewhere" and Pres. Truman in a 1977 TV special, has died at age 60.
Flanders died February 22 at his home in Denny, Coroner Bill Fischer said Wednesday. Flanders' family asked that details of his death not be released.
Flanders appeared on "St. Elsewhere" from 1982 to 1987, when he left the hospital drama to pursue other roles.
His character departed the series with a spectacular statement about corporate control of hospitals: Westphal told off an executive of the fictional moneygrubbing hospital chain, then dropped his pants and mooned him.
Flanders returned in 1988 for the show's farewell episode. He was supposed to talk about beginnings and endings at St. Eligius Hospital, but instead delivered an unscripted soliloquy on death.
The surprise producers were upset, but decided to leave in the rambling speech.
He won an Emmy as outstanding actor in a drama series in 1983 for "St. Elsewhere." Six years earlier, he won an Emmy for the title role in "Harry S Truman: Plain Speaking."
He also won 1974 Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Broadway's "A Moon for the Misbegotten" and an Emmy in 1976 for a TV production of the play.
His other television credits included "Special Bulletin," "Backstairs at the White House," "Things in Their Season," "Mary White" and "The Amazing Howard Hughes."
He played Leonard Garment, an aide to Pres. Nixon, in the 1989 ABC television movie "The Final Days." More recently, he played a father in the 1993 Daniel Steel miniseries "Message from Nam."
Flanders was born in Minneapolis. He moved to California and was a member of the Globe Theater company in San Diego, where he starred in numerous productions before landing TV roles.
In 1988, Flanders was injured in a car crash while driving near his home. His convertible went down a 400 foot hill and he suffered head and chest injuries.

Ludington Daily News March 3, 1995
'ST. ELSEWHERE' ACTOR, ED FLANDERS, COMMITTED SUICIDE, REPORT SAYS
WEAVERVILLE, California (AP) Ed Flanders, known for his role in the "St. Elsewhere" television show, committed suicide, authorities said.
Flanders, 60, died February 22nd of a gunshot wound to the head at his home in Denny, 280 miles north of San Francisco, authorities said.
The death certificate lists suicide, Deputy County Coroner William Fischer said.
Initial reports of Flanders' death did not include a cause and his family had asked that details of the death not be disclosed.
The actor played the kindhearted Dr. Donald Westfall on NBC's "St. Elsewhere" from 1982 to 1987, then returned in 1988 for the farewell episode.
He was supposed to talk about beginnings and endings at St. Eligius Hospital, but instead delivered an unscripted soliloquy on death, which was left in the episode.
Flanders won 1974 Tony and drama desk Awards for Broadway's "A Moon for the Misbegotten" and an Emmy in 1976 for a TV production of the play.
Other TV credits included "Special Bulletin," "Backstairs at the White House," "Things in Their Season," "The Amazing Howard Hughes" and "The Final Days."
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