Patrick Cranshaw, the man who played the lovable codger Blue in Old School, died yesterday at his home in Texas. Before vaulting to totally unexpected fame in his role as the oldest fraternity dude ever, Cranshaw had sustained a film and television career for nearly 50 years, playing mostly minor roles in films ranging from Bonnie and Clyde to Pee-wee's Big Adventure, and on TV shows like Boy Meets World and Mork & Mindy.

According to his manager, Cranshaw loved the recognition that Old School brought him, getting real pleasure of out the affection shown him by complete strangers. He was 86.