Garry Shandling, Star Of Award-Winning 'Larry Sanders Show,' Dies

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And yesterday brought us the sad news that comedian Garry Shandling has died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 66. Long before TV shows like "The Office" and "Parks and Recreation" made the mock documentary popular, there was "The Larry Sanders Show." (SOUNDBITE OF TV THEME, "THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW") MONTAGNE: Garry Shandling's 1990s HBO show went behind the scenes at a make-believe, late-night talk show with Shandling as the neurotic host, Larry Sanders. Here's Larry chatting with actor Alec Baldwin. (SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW") ALEC BALDWIN: (As himself) Well, actually Larry, you know, you and I have something in common.

GARRY SHANDLING: (As Larry Sanders) Yes. Yes we do.

(LAUGHTER)

SHANDLING: (As Larry Sanders) A lot of you probably don't know that Alec and I - well Alec used to actually date my ex-wife Francine. BALDWIN: (As himself) No, I was referring to our charity work with multiple sclerosis.

(LAUGHTER)

SHANDLING: (As Larry Sanders) I know. I know, that, too.

MONTAGNE: And late-night hosts paid tribute to Shandling. Here's Conan O'Brien on his show. (SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "CONAN") CONAN O'BRIEN: He was a masterful writer, a performer who went on to create incredibly groundbreaking comedy shows that inspired an entire generation of comedians, myself included. MONTAGNE: Remembering Garry Shandling, who died yesterday. And you're listening to MORNING EDITION from NPR News.