Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 26, 2026

Sam Lloyd

Sam Lloyd was an American actor and singer who played lawyer Ted Buckland on the comedy-drama series Scrubs and the sitcom Cougar Town.

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May 26, 2026
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Sam Lloyd
Lloyd smiling
Lloyd in 2009
Born(1963-11-12)November 12, 1963
Springfield, Vermont, U.S.
DiedApril 30, 2020(2020-04-30) (aged 56)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materSyracuse University
OccupationsActor, singer
Years active1988–2020
Spouse(s)Kristy Willis
Vanessa Lloyd
Children1
RelativesChristopher Lloyd (uncle)

Sam Lloyd (November 12, 1963 – April 30, 2020)1 was an American actor and singer who played lawyer Ted Buckland on the comedy-drama series Scrubs and the sitcom Cougar Town.

Early life

Lloyd was born in Springfield, Vermont, on November 12, 1963, the son of Marianna McGuffin and Samuel Lloyd Sr.,1 an actor.2 One of five siblings—which included Laurel, Robin, Sandra, and Jackson—he was the nephew of actor Christopher Lloyd.2

He attended Syracuse University in the 1980s.3 There he starred in his friend Paul Perry's student film Fan Mail, which Lloyd described as a "clever, fun, kind of homage to silent films".4

Career

Lloyd played lawyer Ted Buckland on the comedy-drama series Scrubs and the sitcom Cougar Town. He and his uncle Christopher both guest-starred on Malcolm in the Middle: Lloyd as a housing lawyer, and his uncle as Hal's father. The two also guested on The West Wing: Lloyd requesting the White House to release information about UFOs, and his uncle as a constitutional law expert. He also appeared in Desperate Housewives as Albert Goldfine, and in two episodes of Seinfeld as Ricky, a man who is obsessed with TV Guide and develops a crush on Elaine. Aside from acting, Lloyd was an accomplished singer with the a cappella group the Blanks,35 who made many appearances on Scrubs under the name The Worthless Peons (also known as Ted's Band).6 He also played the bass guitar in a Beatles tribute group called the Butties; although right-handed, he learned to play bass left-handed like Beatles bassist Paul McCartney to maintain authenticity.7

Illness and death

In January 2019, Lloyd was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, which was subsequently found to be metastatic lung cancer that had spread to his liver, spine, and jaw.8910 His wife Vanessa had given birth to their son, Weston, in November 2018.11 He died in Los Angeles on April 30, 2020, at the age of 56.612

Filmography

Film

Title Year Role Notes Ref(s)
Rising Sun 1993 Rick 13
Flubber 1997 Coach Willy Barker 6
Galaxy Quest 1999 Neru 6
Scorcher 2002 "Fingers" 1415
The Mudge Boy 2003 Ray Blodgett 16
The Real Old Testament 2003 Abraham 14
Advantage Hart 2003 Gus Blanderskud Short 14
Spelling Bee 2004 Dr. Jacobs Short 14
The Swidge 2004 Gil Short 14
Back by Midnight 2004 Deputy 14
Cry for Help 2005 John Short 14
The Brothers Solomon 2007 Dr. Spencer 17
ExTerminators 2009 Hutt 18
Super Capers 2009 Herman Brainard 18

Television

Title Year Role Notes Ref(s)
Night Court 1988–1989 Balloon Salesman / Waiter 2 episodes 19
City 1990 Lance Armstrong Main role, 13 episodes 14
Matlock 1992 Waiter 1 episode 20
Seinfeld 1993–1994 Ricky 2 episodes 619
Double Rush 1995 Barkley Main role, 13 episodes 20
A Bucket of Blood 1995 Leonard Television movie 14
Coach 1996 Ed 1 episode 13
Champs 1995 "Bulldog" 1 episode 14
Mad About You 1997 Cousin David 2 episodes 14
The Drew Carey Show 1997 Jack 1 episode 14
3rd Rock from the Sun 1997–1998 Eddie 2 episodes 21
Two Guys and a Girl 1999 Career Counsellor 1 episode 14
Spin City 1998–2000 Paleontologist / Walter 2 episodes 22
The West Wing 1999–2002 Bob Engler 2 episodes 619
Battery Park 2000 Roy Galilean / Ray Giddeon 3 episodes 14
NYPD Blue 2000 Larry 1 episode 14
Scrubs 2001–2009 Ted Buckland Recurring role, 95 episodes 6
The Nightmare Room 2002 Mr. Murphy 1 episode 14
Desperate Housewives 2004–2005 Dr. Albert Goldfine Recurring role, 8 episodes 619
Malcolm in the Middle 2005 Jim Fitz 1 episode 6
Numb3rs 2009 Group Leader 1 episode 23
Medium 2010 Danny Watson 1 episode 24
Cougar Town 2011–2012 Ted Buckland 3 episodes 6
The Middle 2012–2013 Mr. Walker 3 episodes 22
Modern Family 2014–2019 Lester / Bobby 2 episodes 6
Bones 2014 Donald McKeon 1 episode 2223
Shameless 2015 Buddy Diamond 1 episode 6
Dr. Ken 2016 Gary 1 episode 25
Happy Together 2018 Gene Johnston 1 episode 26
American Housewife 2019 Sam Marks 1 episode 26
References

References

  1. "'Scrubs' actor Sam Lloyd dies at 56". Los Angeles Times. May 3, 2020. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020. Samuel Lloyd Jr. was born on Nov. 12, 1963, in Springfield, Vt., to Marianna McGuffin and Samuel Lloyd Sr.
  2. "Weston theater fixture Sam Lloyd, 91, was a community leader, philanthropist". The Chester Telegraph. Chester, Vermont. March 24, 2017. Archived from the original on April 22, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  3. "'Scrubs' Actor, Syracuse alum Sam Lloyd dead at 56". WSYR-TV. Syracuse, New York. May 2, 2020. Archived from the original on May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  4. Baker, Chris (October 8, 2014). "From Syracuse University to 'Scrubs' and back: Sam Lloyd recalls his roots at SU". Syracuse.com. Retrieved May 2, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. The Blanks official website. Retrieved on May 2, 2020. Archived from the original on April 23, 2020.
  6. Shafer, Elise (May 1, 2020). "Sam Lloyd, 'Scrubs' Actor, Dies at 56". Variety. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  7. The Butties Website
  8. Goldblatt, Daniel (February 5, 2019). "'Scrubs' Star Sam Lloyd Diagnosed With Cancer". The Blast. Archived from the original on February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  9. Hohman, Maura (February 5, 2019). "'Scrubs' actor Sam Lloyd diagnosed with lung cancer weeks after welcoming new baby". People. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  10. Mee, Emily (February 6, 2019). "Scrubs actor diagnosed with cancer weeks after becoming a father". Sky News. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  11. "Sam Lloyd and wife Vanessa welcome new baby Instagram". November 20, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  12. Drury, Sharareh (May 1, 2020). "'Scrubs' Actor Sam Lloyd Dies at 56". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 31, 2022. Survivors include his wife, Vanessa, and their son, Weston, born in 2019.
  13. "'Scrubs' Actor Sam Lloyd Dead at 56 | ExtraTV.com". Extra. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  14. "Sam Lloyd". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  15. "Sam Lloyd". Miramax. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  16. "The Mudge Boy". TV Guide. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  17. "Sam Lloyd Dies, 'Scrubs' and 'Cougar Town' Star Was 56". MovieWeb. May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  18. "Sam Lloyd". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  19. Hoffman, Jordan (May 2, 2020). "Sam Lloyd, Scrubs Co-Star, Dies at Age 56". Vanity Fair. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  20. Gifford, Storm (May 2020). "'Scrubs' co-star Sam Lloyd, who played lawyer Ted Buckland, dead at 56". New York Daily News. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  21. "'Scrubs' Creator Bill Lawrence Posts Heartfelt Message on Sam Lloyd After His Death at 56". PopCulture. May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  22. "'Scrubs' Actor Sam Lloyd's Wife Releases Statement on Star's Death Due to Lung Cancer". PopCulture. May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  23. "Scrubs star Sam Lloyd dies aged 56". Radio Times. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  24. "Sam Lloyd". TV Guide. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  25. Trepany, Charles (May 1, 2020). "Sam Lloyd from 'Scrubs' dies at 56; Zach Braff, Ken Jeong pay tribute to comedic actor". USA Today. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  26. Petski, Denise (May 2, 2020). "Sam Lloyd Dies: 'Scrubs' Actor Who Appeared On 'Seinfeld' & 'West Wing' Was 56". Deadline Hollywoodaccess-date=May 2, 2020.
External links