Photo: SGranitz/WireImageArt LaFleur, the actor known for playing Babe Ruth inThe Sandlot, has died following a 10-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 78.LaFleur’s wife, Shelley,confirmed the news on social mediaon Thursday.TMZwas first to report the news.“This guy… After a 10 year battle with A-typical Parkinson’s, Art LaFleur, the love of my life passed away,” she wrote in a Facebook post alongside a photo of the couple.“He was a generous and selfless man which carried over to his acting but more importantly it was who he was for his family and friends,” she wrote, later adding, “I was so very lucky to have had a 43 year relationship with a man who cherished me and who I adored. Art was larger than life and meant the world to us.“20th century studiosThe Sandlotis not the only baseball film in LaFleur’s repertoire. Prior to that role, he played Black Sox ringleader Chick Gandil inField of Dreams.He is also well known for his role as the Tooth Fairy inThe Santa Clause2and3.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.Additional credits of his includeThe Rig, House Hunting, Death Warrant, Man of the House,andAce Ventura: Pet Detective.In addition to his respected film career, he also appeared in numerous television shows includingMAS*H, Lou Grant, Soap, Webster, The A-Team, Hill Street Blues, Thirtysomething, Northern Exposure, Home Improvement,Malcolm in the Middle,Doogie Howser,Coach,The Incredible Hulk,Baywatch,ER,JAG,HouseandThe Mentalist.Through his roles, Shelley said her husband “brought laughter to so many people.”
Photo: SGranitz/WireImage
Art LaFleur, the actor known for playing Babe Ruth inThe Sandlot, has died following a 10-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 78.LaFleur’s wife, Shelley,confirmed the news on social mediaon Thursday.TMZwas first to report the news.“This guy… After a 10 year battle with A-typical Parkinson’s, Art LaFleur, the love of my life passed away,” she wrote in a Facebook post alongside a photo of the couple.“He was a generous and selfless man which carried over to his acting but more importantly it was who he was for his family and friends,” she wrote, later adding, “I was so very lucky to have had a 43 year relationship with a man who cherished me and who I adored. Art was larger than life and meant the world to us.“20th century studiosThe Sandlotis not the only baseball film in LaFleur’s repertoire. Prior to that role, he played Black Sox ringleader Chick Gandil inField of Dreams.He is also well known for his role as the Tooth Fairy inThe Santa Clause2and3.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.Additional credits of his includeThe Rig, House Hunting, Death Warrant, Man of the House,andAce Ventura: Pet Detective.In addition to his respected film career, he also appeared in numerous television shows includingMAS*H, Lou Grant, Soap, Webster, The A-Team, Hill Street Blues, Thirtysomething, Northern Exposure, Home Improvement,Malcolm in the Middle,Doogie Howser,Coach,The Incredible Hulk,Baywatch,ER,JAG,HouseandThe Mentalist.Through his roles, Shelley said her husband “brought laughter to so many people.”
Art LaFleur, the actor known for playing Babe Ruth inThe Sandlot, has died following a 10-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 78.
LaFleur’s wife, Shelley,confirmed the news on social mediaon Thursday.TMZwas first to report the news.
“This guy… After a 10 year battle with A-typical Parkinson’s, Art LaFleur, the love of my life passed away,” she wrote in a Facebook post alongside a photo of the couple.
“He was a generous and selfless man which carried over to his acting but more importantly it was who he was for his family and friends,” she wrote, later adding, “I was so very lucky to have had a 43 year relationship with a man who cherished me and who I adored. Art was larger than life and meant the world to us.”
20th century studios
The Sandlotis not the only baseball film in LaFleur’s repertoire. Prior to that role, he played Black Sox ringleader Chick Gandil inField of Dreams.
He is also well known for his role as the Tooth Fairy inThe Santa Clause2and3.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.
Additional credits of his includeThe Rig, House Hunting, Death Warrant, Man of the House,andAce Ventura: Pet Detective.
In addition to his respected film career, he also appeared in numerous television shows includingMAS*H, Lou Grant, Soap, Webster, The A-Team, Hill Street Blues, Thirtysomething, Northern Exposure, Home Improvement,Malcolm in the Middle,Doogie Howser,Coach,The Incredible Hulk,Baywatch,ER,JAG,HouseandThe Mentalist.
Through his roles, Shelley said her husband “brought laughter to so many people.”
source: people.com
