The West Wing: Leo McGarry has a heart attack

Leo has a heart attack after he is fired/ resigned from his possition as cheif of staff. I always felt sorry for Leo in this scene. He seems like an old frail man that has just lost everything and has no one in his life. Season 6 episode 2.

[@danfreese18]

the trembling of his voice when he says "I'll get you some names" does me in.....

[@jalanhart]

"It'll ruin you...like it ruined Wilson"

[@jmcquown]

Having lived with someone who had a heart attack, his portrayal of the event was stunningly accurate. He was a wonderful actor and is greatly missed.

ROFL

[@TimothyOBrien1958]

And the actor actually died of a heart attack.

[@Dwafford01]

All my dad said to my mom was "my heart is racing". As she put her hand to feel his heart beat in his chest, it stopped

[@jmcquown]

@What's funny about it?

[@jmcquown]

@@TimothyOBrien1958 Yes, he did die (age 53) and they wrote his actual death beautifully into the show with a fantastic tribute. His portrayal of having a heart attack at this time was spot on. He was an accomplished actor.

[@DonCorleone87]

Leo was my favorite character on West Wing. Just so heartbreaking to see a person of his stature fall like that.

[@0manoscar]

Leo didn't fall. Leo was right. Bartlett fell, and Leo didn't follow him down.

[@TheLaughingMan712]

Brilliant performance. Does anyone else see the beads of sweat rolling down John's face? The thoughts running through his head must've been overwhelming. An award winning performance right there.

[@glynnisi]

This is so hard to watch, given John Spencer's real life death.

[@martincolvill5453]

This scene is hard to watch for me. I've lived this scene four times personally. You sweat, feel pain as you've never experienced it before, and your last thoughts are of all the things you haven't said to loved ones. I can tell you it ain't fun. To have survived and still have a modicum of quality of life is priceless. RIP to a great actor.

[@makikomi]

Just one of many superb moments in a superlative show. John Spencer's acting here is simply outstanding, and makes this moment even harder hitting because of it.

[@kevinwade5681]

I admire Josh's dedication and loyalty to Leo.

[@mattreay7265]

I started watching the West Wing back in January after years and years of having friends tell me I should. I thought Two Cathedrals was a remarkable episode but it still didn't hit me as hard as this scene did. I knew as soon as the soft piano hit that something was going to happen, but John Spencer's portrayal of a man breaking before our eyes is masteful acting. The small smile he gives when he believes he has fought off his own heart made me hopeful, but then when he fell...oh man. I still go back to this scene time and time again. Awful to watch, even more so knowing John's untimely death. I feel like I need a support group myself...just for watching this scene.

[@boborsini433]

John Spencer already looked so frail😢😢

[@alexisb659]

I loved Leo's character. He always acted tough but was a pussycat inside. Spencer played Leo so very well. I was sorry that Spencer died and thus Leo died. He was always a integral part of the series

[@hanscombe72]

When I think of Leo's life, the suicide of his father, his service as a fighter pilot and being shot down in Vietnam, his work in the private sector, as labour secretary, as campaign manager for Bartlett 1 and his work as chief of staff where he was involved in an assassination attempt as well as an alcoholic and valium addict is there any wonder his heart finally gave out here?

[@gunbladeuser19]

Stress & Drugs give the body a heavy heavy bill that too few can handle to pay.

[@chriskelly3481]

😭😭😭

[@robincoffman6723]

@@gunbladeuser19 drugs AND drink, he was also in Recovery but in his case the damage was most likey too much before he went in Recovery

[@darkgable85]

His quitting because of the big fight was a straw that broke the camel's back

[@RopeDrink]

I remember being woken up one morning and hearing my father opening the front door to head out. I asked where he was going and he didn't tell me, so asked if he was OK. He said he was fine so I carried on with my day, thinking that whole minute was very odd. An hour later I got a phone call saying my Dad was going in for heart surgery. He had walked to the hospital because he was suffering, or had suffered, a heart-attack. Normally the queues to be seen are massive, but thankfully, the hospital recognize the problem and put him through immediately. It's hard to watch this scene because it seems just like what it'd be like - and you totally believe, just like I did with my Dad, that he would be stubborn enough to try and walk it off or dismiss it.

[@jimmason1072]

Yes....some of us think we aren't going to go down.....ever.... Leo had gone though all that in his life....so why would he expect anything else.....Funny I don't know anyone who has gotten out of this life ALIVE....P.S....and your dad?

[@TimothyOBrien1958]

This was one of the most traumatic scenes in any television show since Edith's death in All in the Family. It's not just the heart attack, it's the breakdown in the relationship between Leo and the President. They were best friends. They'd built careers together and it was being severed. The fact that they left him in the woods was devastating.

[@chriskelly3481]

And literally FLEW away!!!.. I hesitate to say it, but... heartbreaking. 😑

[@chewy739]

From my understanding is they had thought he had left already to go find a replacement.

[@TimothyOBrien1958]

@@chewy739 I don't know.

[@joemirotta1242]

Did Leo and president still remain best friends?

[@chewy739]

@@joemirotta1242 yes they did. President blamed himself for the heart attack

[@adamsmyth1156]

what kills me cinematicly is that first wave of pain hits and then he straightens back up...breathes a sigh....even chuckles a bit... then three steps and it hits again...devastating fall of a great man. I literally sob at this scene.

[@dillinghamfilm]

Man!!! Me too!!! The fact that the bond between Leo and Bartlet was breaking apart hurt me. All because John Spencer was being written out because contractual problems with NBC

[@SomeGuyInNevada24]

Vernell Dillingham I wouldn't think there would be contractual problems with John Spencer, if there were, he probably wouldn't have been in Season 7, let alone in the role as the VP candidate.

[@SockMonkey007]

I know this comment is four years old but... "cinematically."

[@Smallvillefreak]

What makes it so impactful is you’re not entirely sure how much of this pain is his heart breaking emotionally and how much is physical.

[@TheBishopconrad]

SockMonkey007 I fat fingered the keys....I was really tired.

[@Foldy435]

I always wondered why he decided to walk through the woods or if he was so upset he had no idea where he was. I wondered if he was thinking of his time in the jungle when he was shot down in Vietnam.

[@pulitzer5]

I remember when my brother and I first saw this. We thought they killed leo off and called our mother at work to tell her.

[@shannonsteam8744]

RIP John Spencer

[@coolinism]

Bless him R.I.P John

[@Maxx61]

That last minute was a masterclass in acting.

[@jpjordan90]

So hard to watch this. For the heart attack, for what it would come to mean in real life; for the breakdown of their professional and personal relationship, even though they made up later. That first line from Leo, the look on his face, the tremble in his voice.

[@laurenmallon4963]

This was my favorite tv show, loved Leo Mc !!!!!!!!!!!!! Was sorry when Mr. Spencer died...he was so very young!

[@Lwyse96]

Leo McGarry was not an old man, he was only 58!

Bullshit.

[@matthewlattmann2935]

8

[@benjaminsidneykidd-bentley3966]

One of my friends died of a massive heart attack at 43. They don't discriminate.

[@scottknode898]

Larry Wyse you mean John Spencer he was only 58 when he passed away in 2005.

[@scottknode898]

Seán O'Nilbud quit commenting on people’s messages and being an asshole

[@amerpdx]

This has to be one of the best portrayals of a heart attack ever on TV. Just amazing acting. It's so easy to get lost and think it's really happening. He'll always be sorely missed.

[@stephenalanmoore7278]

Since actor John Spencer ironically ended up dying of a heart attack in real life later on, it's possible he may have suffered a minor attack previously before he began filming this scene and that's why his performance was so accurate. Lots of heart attack victims suffer minor attacks before the big one that ultimately kills them. Either way, it's really eerie how the actor died of a heart attack in real life shortly after he filmed this sequence.

[@gerardhunt1890]

He knows there's something wrong, yet he continues to walk away from help.

[@VOYAGER746561701E]

Wow...! I think when Leo says "I'll get you some names..." right then and there his heart broke... his best friend, his boss, his reason for being going left when he wanted to go right... Just Wow...!

[@jalanhart]

it was always interesting to me how after everything else he'd been through, this is finally what "caused" the heart attack. The look on his face after Morris is killed, or Mrs. Landingham, or when Josh tells him that someone has his Secret Service file. I would have expected the one to "cause" the heart attack was when Ron Butterfield told hom that someone had kidnapped Zoey. all of those over the years seemed to be more stressful and impactful, but it was this scene where everything went downhill...

[@bluesboy25000]

This scene just broke my heart more than when Abbey left Jed. This was like watching your parents agree to get a divorce. This powerful bond was broken. Of course it would be somewhat healed it would never be the same. I wish Sorkin had written the Peace Process

[@claudiagreen9277]

when Abbey left Jed-?

[@dencamp6685]

(President Bartlet Shouting) HOW ARE WE NOT INVOLVED N...

[@BlackDiamond2718]

Man this is so painful. We watched episodes here and there including this in ap government. I love how every person is tough and capable so he is never surrounded by sycophants. They will argue to the death no matter what.

[@guzzle2112]

Incredible scene. The one after this is the Mid East problem encapsulated

[@ryanb7649]

Leo's cardiac event was already underway as this clip starts. Also of note: Martin Sheen had a heart attack during the filming of "Apocalypse Now" at only age 36.

[@MatsThyWit]

I always hated this run of the show. A lot of people hate all the post sorkin seasons, but I don't. I actually really like seasons six and seven with a few caveats. Season five through about midway through season six though... it's just so dark and miserable from start to finish. Jed Bartlet in particular seems to behave way, way out of character for no real explainable reason.

[@DrownedInExile]

The background droning, music, camera angles. This is shot more like a horror film.

[@sully271]

Thanks Dev Barski....appreciate you taking the time to answer my query.

[@darkgable85]

0:06-0:10 there was a red flag... Leo breathing a little hard

[@LeoDomitrix]

Leo McGarry had so many good points.

[@Monklane79]

Superb acting.

[@sophiepalmer-doran344]

i think Leo knew what was happening to him and after all he has been through he wanders off to die with dignity as someone said"The entire camp is surrounded by secret service" so he was in a way surrounded by loved ones i.e his best friend and his co workers. as for the cause well given his age the amount of stress and all of the alcohol and drugs he had done in his youth. president Bartlet is not to blame.

[@terrygracy8345]

He’s just going for a walk. This man would never give up like that. He’s upset yes but he’s a fighter. He would wait until Bartlett needed him again

[@deliagroer2613]

It's interestingly that as he feels worse, he goes further away from everyone. 😢

[@jojoNshadow]

I still can’t watch this all the way through.

[@jillbrown460]

I felt sorry for Leo!

[@dencamp6685]

Me too

[@wittyroark]

Felt so weird that everyone leaves from Camp David while Leo is just lying there in the middle of trees for hours... 😒 If not for secret service finding his body, it might have been days & no one at the White house would have bothered checking where he is... 😕

[@albertgaspar627]

When I was pallbearer for my uncle and godfather, thankfully they used a cart under his coffin.

[@joemckim1183]

Leo had his heart attack with no one around in the middle of the woods. He was lucky someone found him in time to get medical attention, otherwise that probably would've been it for Leo.

[@hanknjackie]

For some reason I thought Leo died in the woods.

[@dencamp6685]

No Leo die's during the election

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

Aaron Sorkin would NEVER do that to Leo.

[@Dave-qj1vx]

Eat healthy. Don't take on unhealthy jobs. Don't get married to wrong person. Become independent. Don't be blue pilled. Be red pilled. Diabetes, strokes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure etc etc.

[@jrashadb1]

Leo McGarry is the best. He almost walked-off a heart attack... just sayin'.

[@chewy739]

Wish he would of spoke up to Josh.

[@dec9164]

I'm wrecked!!

[@jordanreed3675]

This might just be me but do all the mentor figures in sorkin’s shows die near the end? Charlie in the newsroom, Leo here

[@emcintosh37]

It's real sad that someone died

[@LGBTQ71]

I still watch this without crying because John Spencer dled having a heart attack

[@shawncouch2243]

He walked off like an old dog ready to die...

[@andrewhiggins5050]

an old political animal gone off to the wilderness to die alone.........he never intended to come out of those woods

[@Wynterbourne]

@bluesboy25000 Which episode was that? I don't recall it.

[@Penguin_of_Death]

Also it was in the script... :D

[@rickpeuser233]

Where the hell was his secret service detail???

[@dillinghamfilm]

I said the same thing

[@RogueBlackOp]

Yeah someone should’ve been there.

[@kathybartlett1108]

The sad thing about this is it happened in real life too.

[@tazmon122]

that looks less like John Spenser, and more like someone straight up sucked the soul out of David Harbour.

[@coolinism]

So painful to watch

[@dencamp6685]

I agree

[@libertyann439]

Leo and John died both had heart attacks.

[@mattsmt20]

My thing that always killed me why are you walking further and further away from people

[@carolslade9600]

So very sad!

[@Legba85]

Just like that, their friendship ended; he lost his job and his respect. Man, I wanted someone to go off on Jed after this. I wish Josh lashed out on Bartlet for causing this. It was his fault Leo had a heart attack.

[@Legba85]

***** That's probably where they got inspiration for this storyline.

[@joemirotta9146]

I understand when people have disagreements because they both have strong wills. But I think Leo and Jed were both responsible. President dealing with everything in the world for 6 years as well as Leo. Leo job as chief of staff was very stressful and hard on him. Up to this point I think the stress of everything caught up to both of them and Leo had heart attack. But next episode Jed and Abby were there when Leo had his surgery and that shows how much they love each other. It's a strong friendship

[@Ares99999]

+Rudy Juarez He didn't lose his job, he resigned. And he never lost Bartlett's respect. Even the best of friends have periods when they simply can't agree.

[@SomeGuyInNevada24]

Well, Abbey sort of did.

[@6828Lu]

Their friendship did not end, neither man lost respect for the other. Bartlet did not cause Leo's heart attack, nor would he have deserved to be "gone off on" for it. Even the closest of friends have disagreements - some very intense, harsh and/or personal disagreements - yet still stay friends.

[@Mprator]

Excellent medical advice, you are having a heart attack so walk deeper and deeper into the forest in order to minimize the odds of someone finding you, wouldn't want that!

[@jmcquown]

What "medical advice"? It was a TV script and Leo's *character* didn't know he was having a heart attack.

[@elizabetholiviaclark]

I almost hate this scene because of what is to come.

[@su-rv2uq]

I hated this. No one noticed that Leo wasn't there when everyone was leaving the next morning. Who leaves a place in the forest without making sure everyone is there and/or has a way home? It would totally have been Bartlett's fault if Leo had died.

[@Finians_Mancave]

Shouldn't this place be surrounded by Secret Service? I mean, if Leo can leave the dwelling and wander into the woods unseen, then the reverse is true. It shouldn't be possible. Also, wouldn't the SS keep tabs on the WH Chief of Staff as he's coming and going?

They're totally incompetent mouth breathing assholes. No one with a scrap of decency would work for the US government. Torture, war, and theft is all it produces.

[@Smallvillefreak]

The entire camp is surrounded by secret service. They would be covering a large perimeter. They’re in the heart of the property. Where Leo is in this scene, would be far away from any points of entry if someone made it in at all.

[@sethtubman1229]

Yes and no. Camp David is technically Naval Support Facility Thurmont (the name of the first episode of the season was "NSF Thurmont," also the first and only time the place was seen in "The West Wing,"), so it is run by the U.S. Navy and security provided by the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Marines. It is 200 acres and surrounded by security fencing. Unlike at the White House, in the middle of a major city where it's relatively (relatively) easy to arrange a tour or get press credentials, Camp David's very isolated and very secure. The President and his guests can walk around without Secret Service tailing them everywhere all the time, unlike the White House. Also recall that the Chief of Staff is usually protected by the Secret Service but not under constant surveillance, especially not at Camp David. Camp David's meant not just as a retreat but a high security alert facility. Recall that Dick Cheney was moved there the night of 9/11 and remained there for several weeks after, to maintain continuity of succession.

[@MrJamberee]

Seán O'Nilbud Geezzzz... take a nap.

[@ForgottenArmy1944]

I'm sorry but I just don't like what they did to the series after Aaron Sorkin left. it's like reading a Shakespeare play not written by Shakespeare. this scene would never have happened in Sorkin's world.

[@Smallvillefreak]

Octavian1453 My first time through the series was last year. I was a kid when it aired originally and never followed any of the behind the scenes stuff that went on with Sorkin leaving. It wasn’t until I noticed a big drop in both the writing and stories overall, that I researched and found out it coincided with Sorkin’s departure from the series following the conclusion of the 4th season. There’s a certain heart that just isn’t there anymore. The depth and intelligence in the writing isn’t quite up to the same level as when Sorkin was involved. It’s hard to define, but you can just tell.

[@thezachmarsh]

@@Smallvillefreak I think the show made something of a course correction (though certainly not up to the consistency and level of the Sorkin years) in S6/7, but S5 was rough. Even as a kid I understood something was fundamentally wrong with the show.

[@bluesboy25000]

@Wynterbourne Abbey Briefly left Jed after Zoey's kidnapping

[@sully271]

What does Leo drop @ 2:00 ?

[@amytomtan1594]

Button popped off his jacket

[@davidpeek191]

😢

[@warblerab2955]

This was totally stupid. Leo got Barlet to run for President, led his campaign. He left his wife to serve Barlet. After MS, after the re-election, after Zoe's kidnapping, after everything they went through together and he fires Leo over one disagreement?!?! Stupid and out of character for both of them. Never would have happened under Sorkin

[@Ares99999]

Well, its Leo's own fault. Bartlett didn't want to fire him, but Leo stated he wouldn't support the position, and when he started resigning, Bartlett irritably grunted that 'If I disagree with your advice, you have to threaten me?'. Thats not the sentence of someone wanting to'basically fire'. Leo then insists, and Bartlett reluctantly sees what it would mean politically if he stayed. Leo resigned. He insisted he resign. It was his choice, and NOT Bartlett's fault.

[@Dave-qj1vx]

Always take a daily baby aspirin to lower your heart attack risks.

Wash it down with a breakfast whiskey.

[@dunphish]

If his work was pleasing to the president, he wouldn't have had a heart attack. Remember this when you displease your boss at work.

[@joshlyman9756]

Ah yes, the unfortunate season 5 and start of season 6, the absolute low of a tv series and of characters I love to death This, sadly, is the start of the end of Leo's character, one of my favorite fictional characters and his replacement with a press secretary (i love CJ too but it was an unfortunate choice) in a very stupid way, she dealt with the press, Toby and Josh were the two who negotiated with the hill and worked on their actual agenda, CJ was least involved in it. The downfall of Leo was one of those enormous blunders, like the downfall of Toby (yes, they did their best to ruin two great characters) and even CJ lost thea majority of her charm she had as press secretary, all that was left was to disgrace the ill president :/ thankfully we got the campaign

[@wakeruncollapse]

You learned how to use a computer! Donne must be proud.

[@emcintosh37]

oops I spent really wrong

[@michaelmuldowney8]

I have this theory. ALL of that happens in TWW after this (Santos, Vinick etc) took place in Leo's head after he was laying in the woods - and he died before reaching hospital.

[@glenndallas7171]

Even the parts after his death, with a funeral and Santos choosing a new VP?

[@michaelmuldowney8]

@@glenndallas7171 Yes - everything. Once he dreams of Air Force One flying off as Jed say "Tomorrow", then he expires.