Schneider From “One Day At A Time” Has Died
Every building superintendent is going to wear their tool belt at half-mast today, because Schneider from One Day At A Time has gone up to the great big Indianapolis apartment building in the sky where all of the angels welcome his words of wisdom. Pat Harrington, Jr., who played Schneider during all 9 seasons on ODAAT, died last night in Los Angeles at the age of 86. Pat’s daughter Tresa Harrington broke the sad news on Facebook:
Dear Friends, it is with the most unimaginable pain and sadness, that I tell you my father, Pat Harrington, Jr. passed away at 11:09 PM this evening. We were all with him today and tonight: crying, laughing and loving him. This is the single most heart wrenching and physically painful thing, I’ve ever had to endure. I know many of you have lost parents and loved ones, and now I know what it’s like to feel the kind of sadness and void that will never be filled but only softened with the passing of time. My heart is broken to pieces and I will cry and cry until I just won’t. Love to you all! And as we head into this year, never be afraid to tell the people you love, that you love them.
We don’t know what Schneider died of yet. Today says that he suffered from Alzheimer’s and in November, Tresa said that a small hemorrhage developed on his brain after he fell.
Pat Harrington, Jr.’s dad was a vaudeville performer and after he finished up college and his military service, he got into the acting game. He guest starred in a few TV shows and voiced a few cartoon characters before he got the role of Schneider in 1975. Playing Schneider won him an Emmy. He should’ve won a dozen Emmys for that, because he worked that denim vest, white t-shirt and hot porn stache like no other. Many Brooklyn hipsters have tried (and seriously failed) to recreate his look.
Pat’s last acting job was in 2012 when he reunited with Valerie Bertinelli on Hot In Cleveland. Schneider also did commercials for Trak Auto in the 1980s. I don’t remember much but I’m glad I remembered that piece of 80s history.
Rest in peace, Schneider.
Pic: Getty