American actor and screenwriter Ben Best, known among fans as the co-creator of HBO’s Eastbound & Down, has passed away. He was 46. Although no cause of death has been revealed, Rough House Pictures, which produced Eastbound & Down, in which Best also played the character Clegg, confirmed the news of his passing. Sharing the news of his demise on Instagram, Rough House Pictures posted a photo of Best with the caption, “It’s with heavy hearts we say goodbye to our good buddy Ben Best. We lost him the day before he would have turned 47. A hell of a friend and a creative force. He inspired us and made us laugh. Charming and hilarious. Gone way too soon. We love and miss you.”
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Ben Best co-created Eastbound & Down with his long-time writing collaborators Jody Hill and Danny McBride, who also starred in the role of Kenny Powers, a run down former professional baseball pitcher who goes back to his hometown middle school and becomes a physical education teacher. He also made appearances on the show in eight episodes as Clegg, a local bartender and Kenny’s friend. Prior to his association with McBride on Eastbound & Down, Best co-wrote the low-budget dark comedy, The Foot Fist Way, which has attained a cult following over time. He once again teamed up with McBride and wrote the film Your Highness, which starred names like Natalie Portman, James Franco, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Theroux, Rasmus Hardiker and Toby Jones, while also making appearances in Land of the Lost, Observe and Report, Superbad and What Happens in Vegas.
Condolences have been pouring in from many leading Hollywood celebrities, including Seth Rogen, who worked with Ben Best on Superbad and Observe and Report. He paid his tribute on Twitter and wrote, “RIP Ben Best. I remember seeing him as Chuck The Truck in Foot Fist Way and thinking ‘I have to work with this man.’ I’m honored I got work with him, and even more so and that I got to hang out with him and just be in his company. Watch Foot Fist Way today and bask in his genius.” Comedian Adam Pally too paid his respects for Best writing, “RIP Ben Best – truly can not put how much foot fist way meant to me. Sucks.”
RIP Ben Best. I remember seeing him as Chuck The Truck in Foot Fist Way and thinking “I have to work with this man.” I’m honored I got work with him, and even more so and that I got to hang out with him and just be in his company. Watch Foot Fist Way today and bask in his genius.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) September 12, 2021
RIP Ben Best - truly can not put how much foot fist way meant to me. Sucks.
— adam pally (@adampally) September 12, 2021