Waymond Lee, who is best known for his role as Waymond/Old Way Way on Comedy Central’s Workaholics, has passed away following a battle with ALS. He was 72 years old.
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Norine Lee, Waymond’s sister, and Waymond’s wife, Diane, confirmed the news to TMZ over the weekend, revealing that the late actor died on Wednesday, Dec. 18. He had been diagnosed with ALS, also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in late October. Further testing confirmed earlier this month that Lee had ALS.
Waymond Lee’s sister and wife further confirmed that he was back home for over a week before he ultimately needed to be hospitalized. He was experiencing trouble breathing and swallowing. Days after he was admitted, the actor passed away with his wife by his side.
Both his wife and sister described him as being a “soft-hearted” and “sentimental person” who loved being an actor. They claim he never complained about working overtime.
According to IMDb, Workaholics aired from 2011 to 2017 and was a single-camera comedy that featured three friends who worked together as telemarketers from 9 to 5 and lived together from 5 to 9.
Along with Workaholics, Waymond Lee also appeared in Lucifer, Kali Karate Show, and Station 19. His final project was an uncredited role in the 2024 film K-Pops!
‘Workaholic’ Co-Stars Pay Tribute to Waymond Lee
Following the news that Waymond Lee passed away, Workaholic co-star Adam Devine took to Instagram to pay tribute to the late actor.
“I am gutted,” Devine declared. “He was such a kind man. My deepest condolences go out to his wife Diane and the rest of his family.”
Devine recalled Lee always being down to do whatever “insane thing” he and the other Workaholics writers wrote for him on the show.
“He was always game. A true professional,” Devine continued. “Even though I haven’t seen him since the Workaholics days, this is hitting me like a brick to the face. When I think of our show, I think of Waymond. The older I get the more I realize what a special time that was. You will be missed Way Way!”
Along with Adam Devine, Workaholics co-star Blake Anderson also took to the social media platform to pay tribute to Lee.
“This KING! Waymond Lee. Rest in peace, my friend,” Anderson declared. “I just don’t even know where to begin. The best explanation that comes to mind is in the Marvel multiverse movies when they explain the idea of “anchor beings.” Waymond was the workaholic anchor being.”
Henderson then wrote that the Workaholics universe just simply doesn’t exist without Lee.
“He was there from even before the beginning,” Anderson pointed out. “He was always blown away and so appreciative of all the love Workaholics fans showed him.”
Fellow Workaholics co-star Anders Holms praised Lee as a great guy, despite never speaking on camera.
“He was always chatting people up on set. Super positive,” Holms wrote. “Goofy and fun, but would drop some real elder wisdom on us. Loved seeing him get love from the fans and always enjoyed seeing him pop up in other shows and movies.”