Earl Hindman

Earl John Hindman (October 20, 1942 – December 29, 2003) was an American actor, best known for his role as the kindly neighbor (whose lower face was always hidden from television viewers) Wilson W. Wilson, Jr. on the television sitcom Home Improvement (1991–1999).

Long before this role, however, he played villains in two 1970s thrillers, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three and The Parallax View. He also played the part of J.T. in the Lawrence Kasdan film Silverado and appeared in the film C.H.U.D.

Hindman's most famous and enduring pre-Home Improvement role was as Bob Reid in Ryan's Hope. He played the role in 459 episodes during the years 1975–1989. Ex-police officer Bob Reid was everybody's best friend who never got the girl, and was the long-suffering brother of the soap's serial bride Delia Reid Ryan Ryan Coleridge. Hindman's wife (Molly McGreevey) was also on the soap 1977–1981 as Polly Longworth, best friend to media tycoon Rae Woodard.

Personal life and death

Hindman was born in Bisbee, Arizona, the son of Eula and Burl Latney Hindman, who worked in the oil pipeline business. He studied acting at the University of Arizona.

On May 21, 1976, Hindman married Molly McGreevey, with whom he later acted on Ryan's Hope. McGreevey later became an Episcopal priest.

A longtime smoker, Hindman became ill in 2003 and died of lung cancer on December 29, 2003 in Stamford, Connecticut, where he was buried in Roxbury Cemetery. In addition to his wife, he was survived by a brother, Ray, and a sister, Anna Dean Shields.