The inspiration for the Steel City-based YouTube series “Pittsburgh Dad” died on Monday.
Greensburg native Curt Wootton announced on the “Pittsburgh Dad” Facebook page on Wednesday that his father, Keith Wootton, passed away earlier in the week.
Curt has portrayed the “Pittsburgh Dad” character since 2011 on YouTube, posting videos showcasing fatherly reactions instantly familiar to any Western Pennsylvania native.
“As many of you may know my father was the inspiration behind this silly character that I have played for the last seven years,” Wootton posted. “He exemplified what it meant to be a true Pittsburgher throughout his entire life, with his Bloomfield roots, hard-working attitude, and total pride in the city which he adored.”
Series creator Chris Preksta said Keith Wootton was encouraging about every project he and Curt started.
“It was always fun to see him beaming with pride talking about his son’s accomplishments,” Preksta wrote on his Facebook page. “What a legacy he leaves, that his inspiration is responsible for millions of laughs and smiles.”
Wootton said his father could be a disciplinarian, but “that sternness could easily give way to his tremendous sense of humor” — traits easily recognizable in Wootton’s “Pittsburgh Dad” character.
“He was, and always will be, the show’s biggest fan,” Wootton wrote.
“Pittsburgh Dad” videos posted over the past two months alone have received more than 1.5 million views on YouTube, and Wootton’s videos of a stereotypical “Yinzer dad” regularly receive more than 50,000 views each.
The character has been featured in local commercials and even inspired a beer from Full Pint Brewing Co., their “3-2-1 Win” pilsner.
As of 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Wootton’s post on the “Pittsburgh Dad” Facebook page had garnered more than 7,300 comments.
