'Best in Show' actor Willard accused of lewd act

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 9: Actor Fred Willard arrives at The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science's 'The Last 70mm Film Festival' at AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
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Posted: 07/19/2012

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Actor Fred Willard, perhaps best-known as a dog-show announcer in the movie "Best in Show," has been arrested on suspicion of committing a lewd act at a Hollywood adult theater.

Los Angeles police Sgt. Mark Ro says uniformed vice officers were conducting a routine investigation of the theater shortly before 9 p.m. Wednesday and saw Willard engaging in a lewd act.

He says Willard appeared to be alone.

The 72-year-old actor was booked at the Hollywood police station on suspicion of committing a lewd act in public. Ro says Willard was released after midnight without posting bail.

A call to Willard's agent, Mike Eisenstadt, seeking comment wasn't immediately returned Thursday morning.

Willard was nominated four times for Emmys for guest roles on TV's "Modern Family" and "Everybody Loves Raymond." In Pixar's 2008 hit "WALL-E," he played Shelby Forthright, the CEO of a ubiquitous big-box chain called Buy'n'Large.

In addition to "Best in Show," Willard has also appeared in other Christopher Guest mockumentary films, including "This is Spinal Tap" and "Waiting for Guffman."