Actor Mark York, who played property manager Billy Merchant in The Office US, has died at the age of 55 following a "brief and unexpected illness", according to his family.
"Even though he has been paraplegic since 1988, he had such an outgoing, uplifting, positive attitude and personality," Yorks' family said in an obituary seen by the Radio Times.
Mark was a lovely man and a pleasure to work with. Very funny every time. Much love to his family. https://t.co/isS2GIbebD
— Jenna Fischer (@jennafischer) May 25, 2021
"He always tried to look at what he could accomplish and do, not what he couldn’t do."
His co-star Jenna Fischer, who played Pam Beesly in The Office, paid tribute to York on Twitter and said. "Mark was a lovely man and a pleasure to work with. Very funny every time. Much love to his family."
"R.I.P. Mark York, AKA BILLY MERCHANT from The Office. He was a terrific human, a positive force and a dynamic actor. You will be missed," Rainn Wilson, who played Dwight Schrute on the show, tweeted.
Angela Kinsey, who also starred on the series, also paid her respects.
"Very sad to hear about Mark's passing," she said. "He was so talented and kind and will be missed. My thoughts are with his family. May he rest in peace."
York made his first appearance on The Office in season two, when Michael Scott (Steve Carell) brought him into the office for a disability awareness meeting.
R.I.P. Mark York, AKA BILLY MERCHANT from The Office: https://t.co/qAOGv6Gmqh He was a terrific human, a positive force and a dynamic actor. You will be missed.
— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) May 25, 2021
Billy was the property manager of the Scranton Business Park, until Dwight bought it from him at the end of season six.
York also starred on CSI: New York and 8 Simple Rules. He is survived by his mother, father, three brothers and other close relatives.
